Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

IPE Deck over concrete balcony

Jump to Latest
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
J

Jamers

· Registered
Joined
·
4 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Looking for some help with an existing concrete 'deck' more of a balcony I guess.
5.5'' thick slab of concrete on the back of a house one story up.
Its solid and sloped away from the house, seems to have good drainage.
Wish I had a better pic but you get the idea.

I want to lay a pressure treated/ipe/composite frame of 2x4's over the slab.
The frame would be fastened to the slab and then lay an ipe deck over this.

Is there a recommend air gap to prevent rot of the deck and frame ?
Can I lay the 2x4'' on their side so I have 1.5'' gap ? ( i have limited height I can add)
Would plastic spacers to lift the 2x4's off the slab be enough ?
Should I not bother at all lol ?
 

Attachments

#2 ·
Jamers said:
Looking for some help with an existing concrete 'deck' more of a balcony I guess.
5.5'' thick slab of concrete on the back of a house one story up.
Its solid and sloped away from the house, seems to have good drainage.
Wish I had a better pic but you get the idea.

I want to lay a pressure treated/ipe/composite frame of 2x4's over the slab.
The frame would be fastened to the slab and then lay an ipe deck over this.

Is there a recommend air gap to prevent rot of the deck and frame ?
Can I lay the 2x4'' on their side so I have 1.5'' gap ? ( i have limited height I can add)
Would plastic spacers to lift the 2x4's off the slab be enough ?
Should I not bother at all lol ?
Click to expand...
What's below it?

_________
[emoji631]
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#4 ·
Cross ventilation is a big deal here. You can successfully put a good looking wood deck over it but you have to run a basket weave so air can flow freely. If you put any kind of fascia on it than you'll have to add vents.

This is a deck that takes some thought and experience if you want a good result but can definitely be done.
 
#6 ·
Jamers said:
There's a basement living room, the lower part of the house extends out there

The deck forms the roof essentially
Click to expand...
I just looked close at the picture – Who’s the babe toasting me? I could potentially do this project for free :laughing:
 
#8 ·
run the sleepers on the flat away from the house. put a couple of shingles under the PT so they don't rub through the water proofing. Don't fasten them to the deck though, the penetrations may fail.

1.5" for 2x4, + 1/4" for the shingles and 3/4" Ipe is right at 2-1/2". Rain may be an issue-consider leaving a larger gap between the door or find a solution to raise the threshold height.

don't skimp on the railing-it has to be addressed as it will be under code height and a safety hazard for those intoxicated people toasting for pictures.

careful with the fastening-predrill is required and take the time to countersink bc Ipe is too dense to pull the head under. 2" screws, not the bucket of 2-1/2". Also consider the additional load on the balcony-Ipe is very heavy and its hard to see from the picture if your posts are beefy.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Most of it is pretty well supported by the house but there is a bit of over hang

As for the railing that will be cut out and replaced thinking about doing 4x4 ipe bolted to the front edge of the deck with ss wires running through them

Might be easier to just lay a porcelain outdoor tile down...
 

Attachments

#11 ·
Jamers said:
Most of it is pretty well supported by the house but there is a bit of over hang

As for the railing that will be cut out and replaced thinking about doing 4x4 ipe bolted to the front edge of the deck with ss wires running through them

Might be easier to just lay a porcelain outdoor tile down...
Click to expand...
The company I started working for has a chit ton of deck tiles. This is a perfect application, less than an 1-1/4" of height added. Looks way better than porcelain and a breeze to install. Call and ask for Marina, Mark, or Natalya. They're aggressively pricing these right now.

No I'm not a salesman, the owner hired me to help the sales staff learn all types of wood and woodworking. Pretty dedicated to being the best.

Shameless plug over.:laughing:
 
#13 ·
Deckhead said:
The company I started working for has a chit ton of deck tiles. This is a perfect application, less than an 1-1/4" of height added. Looks way better than porcelain and a breeze to install. Call and ask for Marina, Mark, or Natalya. They're aggressively pricing these right now.

No I'm not a salesman, the owner hired me to help the sales staff learn all types of wood and woodworking. Pretty dedicated to being the best.

Shameless plug over.:laughing:
Click to expand...
Get back to your desk and leave us working folk a loan :laughing:
 
#15 ·
Deckhead said:
Cross ventilation is a big deal here. You can successfully put a good looking wood deck over it but you have to run a basket weave so air can flow freely. If you put any kind of fascia on it than you'll have to add vents.

This is a deck that takes some thought and experience if you want a good result but can definitely be done.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
 
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
About this Discussion
14 Replies
7 Participants
Last post:
ipewoods
Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum
posts
3.6M
members
169K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to professional construction and remodeling contractors. Come join the discussion about the industry, trades, safety, projects, finishing, tools, machinery, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Tools & Equipment Business Painting & Finish Work Decks & Fencing