workswithwood

I am currently working on a deck estimate for a customer. the deck is going to be a 16x16 square. thats no problem.
then he says he wants to use 2x6 for the decking instead of regular decking. I see no need for this, but its what the customer wants so i will do it. (Has anyone else used 2x6 for decking? any concerns i should raise to the customer? it will be stained)
Then he calls and says he wants me to include a roof over his stairs leading up to the deck. I have never done this to a deck that doesnt have a roof. he would like me to use the corrugated fiberglass sheet roofing on it. (i tried to attach a link, but i dont have enough posts yet) i know edurosystems has an example of what i would use.

I have never worked with this stuff. I already told the customer that this is very uncommon to do. How would i frame the roof over the stair? it will basically be standing on its own, not connected to any other roof.
I was thinking of extending the 4x4 railling posts up to the roof line, but would i have to carry them down to sono-tubes? connecting everything together with 2x6 pt, and laying the fiberglass roof over it, kinda like a shed roof.
it also seems like it would be a useless thing, cause once you get to the top of the stairs, theres no roof on the deck. also the sides would not be enclosed. would it be wise to advise the customer against doing this? personally i think its a waste of money and time, but i cant say that to the customer. what do i do???
thanks in advance for your help!

BuiltByMAC

??

Ummm, what is "regular decking?" 'cause 1x4 fir sure ain't it!

Regarding the stairway roof, if you want the cash, build it for him. Doesn't matter how fugly you think it will be, if he's willing to pay for it, some one will build it for him...

Mac

mickeyco

Nothing wrong with using 2x material. Sometimes people want a roof over the stairs because it's a pain in the ass to shovel snow off them (not sure if your project is in a snow area) ask the customer why he wants it. Also it's a good idea to have lighting in the area with the roof.


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workswithwood

i consider 5/4 x6 regular decking. at least thats what i'm used to putting down. i never said 1x4 fir was, that was something i came across on another estimate.

Customer said he wants it because they will be using the staircase a lot and they dont want to get wet when it rains. but again, theres no roof on the deck, so he's gonna get wet either way.
I am in a snow area (SE Mass) or at least it used to be a snow area, now not so much. damn global warming.
i'm probably gonna do this as a add extra and see what he decides.
If anyone has any pictures of a stair roof they have built, i would like to see them. thanks.
phil

genecarp

roof over the stair? maybe you can extend the rail post to provide support for the roof. that fibreglass roofing mat you mentioned is very lightweight, and will not require heavy framing, i reread your post, and you mentioned the roof system i am thinking off. to elaborate, after posts are extended up to proper ht, lag 2x6 to one or both sides of the 4x4, install 2x4 or 2x6, right to left, 16oc, thats will accept your roofing mat. it might look good.

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deckman22

I always thought 2x decking was "regular decking", 5/4 was for mobile homes and such, unless of course you're talking ipe or composite not TP.

For the roof I would suggest not using that corraged fiberglass crap, very hard to keep from leaking & looks like hammered do do. Metal roofing like Rainguard/Channel Drain would be a better choice imo.

I learned a long time ago not to try to build to my taste, but to the customer's, their the ones paying. Like you I think it will look out of place without a porch/deck roof, but hey it's work.

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