Non-Combustible Decking Material
We are in the process of building out our roof to be a usable deck/urban garden. It was recently brought to our attention that the DOB in Manhattan only allows 20% Ipe on the roof. Our engineer report said pavers were too heavy to use. Does anyone know of any attractive non-combustible material to use…
We are in the process of building out our roof to be a usable deck/urban garden. It was recently brought to our attention that the DOB in Manhattan only allows 20% Ipe on the roof. Our engineer report said pavers were too heavy to use. Does anyone know of any attractive non-combustible material to use for roof decking besides pavers? Thanks!
I went to the library and looked up the Buildings Code for roof decks, it was written decades ago and quotes 20%. coverage. Thanks jockdeboeraia about the IPE , I’ve been assured several times that IPE is Ok . Where did you get your info.
My question is then
My neighborhood has several full roof decks on extension roofs and top roofs in all kinds of woods.
How come ? I know most of them are in the back of the house and short of the DOB flying in helicopters and spotting them but I guess its still a risk, but many can be seen from the street.
I’ve been to many open houses with full roof decks.How can they re-sell without it being listed as a violation in an engineer’s report?
Would insurance pay if there was a fire?
Any clarification anyone?
Ipe, unfortunatly is not considered non-combustible by NYC.
Lovetolaugh: Stuff does build up underneath over time, but me and a buddy just pick the edge up, shopvac underneath, and things look good again.
Ours was a flat roof with a gentle slope and we laid them directly on the roof surface, no wood substructure. The company we got them from sold a fabric to lay underneath as well as a special adhesive to glue them to eachother (they interlock on top of each other at the edges) but we passed since they stayed together fine and this offered the option of removing them easily.
Jim, my mistake. Sorry about that, Brownstoners. Could have sworn an examiner called me out on that a few years ago, but I couldn’t find the objections. Check out the StoneDeck pavers, though. 8.5 lbs./sq. ft. as opposed to 25 for standard Hanover types.
1/3 is limitation for difference between mezanine and a full floor designation.
20% is limit of combustible roof deck material. I’ve never heard of the 1/3 limitation. jharch, wanna point that one out?
20% ? never heard of that restriction. On a practical basis that is a different story but since when has DOB any knowledge in practical architecture or structural engineering ?
Yanks 21 . I think the rubber tiles are a good alternative . I’ve had a chance to try a dozen of them on the roof . I just put them straight on top of the roof . There are indentations underneath that allow drainage , but over the years moss , sedums and weeds grow from the edge. Is this a problem when the whole roof surface is covered?. My roof slopes , should they be laid on a wooden sub structure ( which defeats the object !!) . Do you have a rail and what is attached to?
I’ve been looking into this for a while as there are plenty of decks on Brooklyn roofs that cover over 20% of the roof .
I understood that its OK to cover the roof as long as its fireproof . IPE is Ok as its fire-resitant and if it’s built as palettes on top of the Bisons , it’s not a permanent structure, but a removable deck .
Any more info anyone?