I’ve got the Fine Homebuilding issue that shows how to put a wood deck over a living space, without having to worry about water leaks.
I’m interested in using either tile or concrete. My deck is 12×12 and will be covered, but I still expect it to get soaked from windblown rain.
My first idea is to use tile. I thought I would use 1-1/8″ OSB T&G over 12″ O.C joists. Over this I would put a concrete backerboard, then mortar, than a CPE layer, than mortar, and then tile. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of deck, or thoughts about the reliablity of this idea.
My second idea is to use a lightweight concrete. I have seen a lot of these in my area, but don’t know how to construct one, the weight of the concrete, or any drawbacks to using concrete.
Any information would be appreciated.
Thank You
Greg J.
Replies
If you're going to go through the trouble of putting tile on the deck et-al. Think about a few years down the road when it does leak and you have to rip up all that nice tile just to fix the leak.
Treat it like a shower floor and put a membrain down graded to the exterior and then lay your backer board and tile. FHB has a good article on leak proof shower pans. Just adapt it to the aplication.
Greg,
Jet gives good advice in regards to wanting to be able to easily repair or replace the damaged or terminally ill membrane. Remember, it's not just water damage from above that you're coonceerned with. You need to keep water vapor from inside the living space from getting into the stucture, condensing, and rotting it from wthin.
If you want membrane, think EPDM.
There are other methods out there, like trowel-on coatings. Grailcoat (http://www.grailcoat.com) has been mentioned favorably by several posters on this forum over the years.
My preference? EPDM with removable ipe duck boards.
Hometime Syndicated did a series where they re did a deck over a sunroom.
The first link show the epdm that they put down for a weather barrier. Not shown are the details where they sloped the roof, had parapet walls and drains.
http://www.hometime.com/TV/pastshow/pastshows/syndication/2002/terrace_dp.htm
The second show a stone "tile" that they used for the finish floor. It has a stone veneer attached to a composite backing and and attachment system.
http://www.hometime.com/TV/pastshow/pastshows/syndication/2002/terrace_dp2.htm