Rooftop decks are the ultimate urban amenity. But for the installation crew, they can be a source of serious headaches. If you're tired of time-consuming shimming, wrestling with heavy lumber, and worrying about call-backs due to drainage issues, keep reading. We'll reveal the expert-recommended solution.
Mataverde wood rooftop deck with pool and pool shower used Eurotec Rooftop Deck System to even the slope
As a reputable and experienced builder, you're tasked with building a perfectly level, structurally sound deck on top of a carefully engineered, sloping roof—all without damaging a sensitive waterproofing membrane.
We understand that your rooftop deck projects are premium jobs requiring a premium solution that delivers:
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Structural stability
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Flawless drainage
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Effortless leveling
It's about allowing your crew to finish the job faster, with fewer steps, and with absolute confidence.
The Rooftop Deck Market: Your Opportunity to Build To a Higher Standard
The demand for premium outdoor space in urban and high-density environments is soaring. Every rooftop deck installation is an opportunity to prove your team's expertise and secure repeat business. This growth is reflected in the market: The Global Outdoor Deck and Patio Market is anticipated to reach $23.0 Billion by 2032. (@CongruenceMarketInsights.com)
To cash in on this growth, your installation methods must protect the building envelope while maximizing on-site efficiency. Unfortunately, traditional construction methods can lead to serious problems that impact your crew's time and your company's reputation.
The Top 3 Installation Problems That Kill Your Profit
Our customer's "before" image of a rooftop deck with decayed wood sleepers from incorrect drainage, replaced with Mataverde Eurotec system and wood decking.
When you build a rooftop deck, you are installing a structure on top of a critical roof system. Conventional methods like using shims and wood sleepers directly on the membrane create high-risk, low-efficiency scenarios:
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Waterproofing and Warranty Voidance: This is the most critical issue. Placing heavy, rigid deck components (sleepers) directly on the membrane causes friction, abrasion, and pressure points. As the deck is used and temperatures change, the sleepers rub against the membrane, leading to tears, leaks, and voided roof warranties. This risks a costly callback.
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Compromised Drainage and Ponding: Flat roofs must slope slightly to direct water to drains. If your system adds too much weight, or if you use heavy materials, it can crush the rigid foam insulation used to create this slope, causing low spots where water pools (known as ponding).
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Complex Leveling & High Labor Costs: Using shims and scraps to create a level surface over a sloping roof is tedious, imprecise, and drastically increases labor time. Every measurement and adjustment costs you time and money.
Mataverde FSC Ipe wood rooftop deck, a LEED project in the Seattle, WA area, under construction.
The Eurotec Rooftop Deck System was trusted to more simply create multiple levels and stairs over an existing commercial rooftop.
The Expert Solution for Installers: Eurotec Rooftop Deck System
The Eurotec Rooftop Deck System is engineered to eliminate these structural and waterproofing risks while dramatically speeding up your installation process. When combined with premium decking like Mataverde, it's the professional's choice for a high-performance, long-term assembly.
Two frequent rooftop-appropriate decking options chosen by the architects and builders we work with are Mataverde+ Thermally Modified Wood Decking for any premium project or Mataverde FSC (Forest Stewardship Certified) Hardwood Decking for potential LEED projects.
Eurotec rooftop deck pedestals from Mataverde during a rooftop deck installation |
The no-tool adjustable Eurotec rooftop deck pedestal |
- Effortless, Tool-Free Leveling Over Any Slope
The single biggest time-saver on a sloped roof is the patented Eurotec Pedestal. Forget bags of shims and hours of tedious measuring.
Precision in Seconds: The pedestals feature a simple, tool-free turning mechanism that allows for precise height adjustments (from as low as 1.2 inches up to over 22 inches).
Perfectly Flat Deck, Instantly: This allows your crew to quickly and accurately compensate for the roof's slope (required for drainage) to give the client a perfectly flat, safe, and comfortable final walking surface. You save hours on leveling alone.
Florida rooftop pool deck using the Eurotec Rooftop Deck System twin fasteners and rails. Photo courtesy of @ck_construction on Instagram.
Looking for design inspiration? Check out the Rooftop Deck Project Photo Gallery here for more.
- Maximum Protection of the Waterproofing Membrane
Protecting the roof is non-negotiable. The Eurotec Pedestals are designed to ensure your installation never compromises the roof system.
Load Distribution: The large, flat pedestal base spreads the deck’s load gently and evenly across the membrane, preventing damage and pressure points caused by rigid sleepers.
Guaranteed Drainage: The pedestals lift the entire deck framing off the membrane, creating a free-draining and ventilated air gap. Water flows unimpeded to the drains, and continuous airflow helps dry the membrane, reducing the risk of deterioration and leaks.
- Lightweight, Non-Combustible Aluminum Framing
For elevated structures, minimizing dead load and maximizing durability is crucial.
Reduce Weight, Increase Safety: The system is compatible with the Eurotec Aluminum System Profile. These aluminum joists are substantially lighter than wood, reducing the overall structural load and making hauling and maneuver materials on a rooftop significantly easier.
See the installation method yourself here in this 3 minute video:
Eurotec rooftop deck with Mataverde wood decking and custom wood pergola on a commercial sky deck
The rooftop deck market is booming, but your profitability depends on escaping the time-sink and liability risks associated with traditional installation methods. Shimming, battling ponding water, and risking damage to the waterproofing membrane are simply not acceptable for premium commercial and residential projects.
The Eurotec Rooftop Deck System is the professional's answer to these challenges. By shifting from high-risk, high-labor conventional construction to a robustly engineered system, you gain:
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Guaranteed Membrane Protection: The broad, load-distributing bases and elevated design prevent abrasion and friction, securing the roof warranty.
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Rapid, Precision Leveling: The patented, tool-free turning mechanism allows your crew to achieve a perfectly flat final surface over a sloped roof in a fraction of the time.
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Superior Durability: Lightweight, non-combustible aluminum framing reduces structural load while offering unmatched longevity, minimizing callbacks.
This is more than a product—it's a method that allows your crew to build to a higher standard faster, ensuring structural stability, flawless drainage, and absolute confidence in every rooftop deck you deliver. Secure your reputation while leveraging the growing demand for premium outdoor rooftop space.
FAQs
General System & Waterproofing
Q1: What is the primary advantage of the Eurotec Pedestal system over traditional wood sleepers for rooftop decks?
A: The primary advantage is waterproofing protection and leveling efficiency. Traditional wood sleepers create pressure points that can damage the sensitive roof membrane, risking leaks and voiding warranties. The Eurotec Pedestal features a large, flat base that evenly distributes the deck's load, preventing membrane abrasion. Its adjustable height allows for tool-free, precision leveling over the roof's required slope, saving substantial labor time.
Q2: How does the Eurotec system prevent water ponding and ensure proper drainage?
A: The system ensures proper drainage by creating a continuous, free-draining air gap between the decking structure and the roof membrane. The pedestals elevate the entire deck, allowing water to flow unimpeded underneath to the designated roof drains. This ventilation also helps the membrane dry faster, extending its life.
Q3: Can this system be used on any sloped rooftop?
A: Yes. The system is specifically engineered for sloped roofs (which are necessary for drainage). The patented pedestal mechanism compensates for the roof's incline, allowing the installer to quickly and accurately create a perfectly level final walking surface regardless of the underlying slope.
Installation & Labor Savings
Q4: How much time can be saved using the adjustable pedestals compared to traditional shimming?
A: Installers report drastically reduced labor time for leveling. The adjustable pedestals eliminate the need for tedious, imprecise, and costly shimming. The simple, tool-free turning mechanism allows for rapid, micrometer-level height adjustments, converting hours of complex leveling work into minutes.
Q5: Why is the aluminum framing a better choice for a rooftop deck than traditional wood framing?
A: Weight reduction and non-combustibility are key. The Eurotec Aluminum System Profile is substantially lighter than wood, reducing the overall dead load on the building structure and simplifying the logistics of hauling materials to the rooftop. Furthermore, aluminum is a non-combustible material, offering a higher degree of safety and compliance for elevated structures.
Compatibility & Materials
Q6: What types of wood decking materials are compatible with the Eurotec system?
A: The Eurotec system is compatible with all premium wood decking materials, including thermally modified wood and hardwoods. It provides the robust, stable sub-structure required for high-performance decking.
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