Architecture/rooftop deck

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Expert: - 3/15/2008


Question
Hi there!
My dad is an exterior and he his building a rooftop deck for his next job, we
live in Minnesota and we are trying to figure out what a "sleeper" is. the roof
is rubber and everything is ready to start building the deck. This is the first
time he'll be doing a rooftop and we need some help! Thank You so much!
kelly and dean  

Answer
Hi Kelly - thanks for your question!

A "sleeper" is a strip of wood laid on top of the rubber roof, with the decking boards attached to the top of it.  The reason for sleepers in your situation is to give you something to attach the decking to without nailing through the rubber roof.

Typically, the joists under the rubber are cut to slope, then the sleepers are cut with the opposite slope - so the deck surface is level while the roof below slopes to drain.  I also like to glue a strip of rubber to the bottom of the sleepers so that the bottom of the sleepers don't cut into the rubber roofing.

The weight of the decking attached to the sleepers will hold the deck in place.  Depending on the size of the deck, you might also consider building the decking board/sleepers in sections, small enough to lift up and clean underneath.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtaplans.com
www.rtastudio.com

Architecture

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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