What’s the best way to create a usable deck over a flat roof? I own a duplex that is really an old house (~80 years old) that’s been converted into a two family. In order to enter the upstairs apartment you walk up some stairs near the back of the house. When you get to the top of the stairs you’re actually standing on the ROOF of the downstairs apartment entrance (there’s also internal stairs that lead to the basement), it’s about 8′ x 10′ with a wooden deck rail around it. When I purchased the duplex 12 years ago (man time flies!) this roof leaked. A friend and I tore it apart down to the studs and then built it up again. We were both about 22 at the time, and fortunately he was in the construction field, but I am still shocked today that it never leaked again. At that time we laid a cheap outdoor carpet over the rolled roofing. Over the 12 years I’ve put another couple carpets down. But I’m starting to think that I should create something more permanent in this area – any thoughts?