You can't afford to ignore the 6 costly membrane deck mistakes typical in the industry
Constantly we see improvised design solutions for decking or tiles over membrane that will end up costing money to fix or create hassles for the end client. Make sure your design solution will stand the test of time.
Eliminate the liability issues and headaches by avoiding the following:
1) Insufficient Airflow
Any structure placed on top of a membrane needs sufficient airflow to promote deck health and reduce the chance of mould and mildew. 12mm clearance around the perimeter of a deck does not constitute good air-flow.
2) Difficult or no access to gutters and downpipes
Any product installed over a membrane must have the ability to be removed easily to provide maintenance access to gutters and downpipes to remove debris and check for blockage.
3) Relying on “ripped” wedge shaped timber subframes
The purpose of a subframe is to provide a solid, stable structure to fasten decking boards to. Pine joists ripped into wedge shapes to try and achieve a level surface do not hold shape nor offer a solution friendly to the membrane it is sitting on. Pine is incredibly unstable during absorption and evaporation of moisture, especially when used as a floating structure with no strapping, bearers or piles to restrain it.
4) Difficult or no access to inspect membrane
Access to membranes should be quick and easy without the need to lift heavy waterlogged panels. Even “small removable” panels they are built in place, are rarely liftable once waterlogged and extremely difficult to remove without an army of builders. Removal of decking boards is normally required, wasting time and money. Tiles can be easily uplifted, but be prepared for teh full cost of reinstating the tiles as they very difficult to relay perfectly once uplifted and deck jacks have been moved out of alignment. Do your client a favour and ensure the design solution includes easy removal and reinstatement of the decking boards or tiles.
5) Materials permanently fixed to subframe
Do not fasten timber decking boards with nails. If the boards have been nailed down but need to be uplifted, in most cases, damage to timber decking boards is unavoidable when being removed from the subframe and cannot be re-installed. This will require all timber decking boards to be replaced, resulting in unnecessary expense. Do not glue tiles to screw jack pedestals. This makes it impossible to remove the tiles and also makes it impossible to keep the screw jack pedestals in the exact position for when the tiles need to be re-laid.
6) Re-engineering required
All too often, especially on reclads and leaky buildings etc where structural tiles are being considered for use over membrane, its only too late to find out the building would require re-engineering to withstand the significant amount of extra weight from structural tiles or clients are forced to consider expensive structural ceramic tiles. Lightweight subframe options reduce design & compliance costs and typically provide a solution that is easier to manage for the end client.
Experience QWICKBUILD®, the revolutionary sub-frame system designed for use over membranes and talk to the experts by calling 0800 77 88 77 or make contact here.
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