We have seen an increase in the urban population and more people looking for homes in the urban market. Builders have responded by maximizing the number of home-builds, usually resulting in big, multi-level homes on smaller properties; building up when you can’t build-out. To give customers more outdoor liveable spaces, builders are incorporating balconies and flat rooftops.
Homeowners and contractors are now facing challenges such as how to finish these balconies and rooftops. Thanks to systems such as Bison Pedestals and Eterno Ivica Pedestals systems, transforming these areas into beautiful maintenance free living spaces is quick and easy.
Many are under the impression that installing a rooftop Pedestal System is complicated and can damage a roof membrane. This is not the case, as installing a rooftop Pedestal System is an easy and relatively simple process, that is not permanently attached to the roof. Installing a rooftop Pedestal System is a similar concept to laying a floating floor. The strength and integrity of the system is based on the entire system, a sum of all its parts, and is contained by a border.
The first step in installing a rooftop Pedestal System is to determine the style of the deck flooring you wish to install. The possibilities are endless; wood or composite planks, prefabricated wood tiles, stone, porcelain paver or planks, even artificial turf.
Depending on the style of decking you select, there are three basic installation techniques. If you are working with wood or composite decking, they will be attached to joists in the same manner as building a standard deck, except the joists will be supported by pedestals. The Bison line has an easy to work with connector called the Joist Topper which sits on the pedestal and secures the framing. If you opt to use prefabricated wood tiles, stone or porcelain pavers the pedestals will support these directly by having a pedestal at each corner. Finally, if you select a porcelain plank, smaller size stones or artificial turf, you would have the pedestals support SilcaGrate, creating your subfloor that will then support this style of decking or turf.
Once you have selected the style of the decking you wish to use, determine the cavity height at all thresholds, drains and high points. The cavity height is the space between the top of the floor membrane and the bottom of the decking material selected. Using a laser level or chalk line may assist you in determining this.
Deduct the thickness of the decking material from the cavity height, which determines the height of the pedestals that need to be used. The greatest advantage of installing a rooftop Pedestal System is they allow you to easily adjust for pitch and slope of the roof as you can dial the exact height of each pedestal you are installing.
Plan out your decking and pedestal layout. For builds utilizing a joist framing system, position your pedestals as needed to support your framing. For the other build method where pedestals will support material at the corners, begin your installation by creating a “T” shape portion of the deck, to ensure your deck is laid to run straight and true along both axes. Once you have this “T” pattern in place, you can install on both sides of the “T”, levelling the decking as you go.
For detailed instructions on installing a rooftop Pedestal System, check out the manufactures websites. Both Bison and Eterno Ivica systems have detailed instructions, and any reputable retailer will also be able to help you with installation questions.
Installing a rooftop Pedestal System is an easy, cost-effective way to transform any balcony or flat rooftop into a usable outdoor living space Welcome to the Deck Revolution.