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Expert: - 8/1/2008


Question
My roof top deck is not properly sloped so the water pools in different places. The last roofer sistered some joists but the pooling just changed location. He put these interlocking rubber squares on the entire roof so now I cannot see the actual roof, but I know water in under there after it rains. I want to put up a railing but worry that the pooling over years will cause a leak on the actual roof. what do you think about using composite decking to build railings, I'm thinking of a shadow box design to provide some privacy. Thanks for any thoughts. Jennifer

Answer
Hi Jennifer - thanks for your question!

You should get the pooling taken care of; you're right, it will likely lead to problems later on.  The rubber mats will just make it worse, since they'll hold the water in place longer.  And if you're in a climate with cold winters, you may have freeze/thaw issues.

Regarding the railing, composite materials are fine.  You mentioned building it out of "decking"; I assume you mean "railing parts".  The same companies who manufacture composite decking also make parts for railings, including flat boards you can use for the shadowbox style.  Don't use decking boards, they're much thicker than you need for the railing design.

Hope this helps,

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

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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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