Waterproofing a Rooftop Deck With Duradek

Originally developed in the 1960s as a slip-resistant flooring for small boats, Duradek was later introduced as a roofing material, first in Canada and then in the United States. The membrane comes in different thicknesses and can serve as both a roof covering and – in certain applications, depending on the thickness – a walking surface. On this project, Rob Corbo and his crew installed the company’s 60-mil-thick vinyl traffic membrane — called Duradek Ultra — over a kitchen bumpout to create a small terrace off of a master bedroom. While the PVC membrane itself can be installed only by an authorized Duradek dealer, the deck needs proper preparation to receive it. In this JLC article, Corbo explains the details that go into a successful Duradek installation.