Roof Replacement (Pre-Deck)

Replace Before You Build

A roof membrane approaching the end of its service life creates an expensive problem for deck owners: when that membrane fails in five years, your entire deck structure must come up to access it. We see this constantly in Chicago—homeowners who built beautiful roof decks on aging membranes, only to face $30,000 deck demolition and rebuild costs when the inevitable leak appears. If your roof is past the 15-year mark or showing wear, addressing it now saves the headache of working around deck infrastructure later.

Pre-deck roof replacement starts with complete tear-off down to the structural deck substrate. We inspect for rot, delamination, and deflection problems that would compromise your new deck, then install fresh membrane with specific attention to future deck attachment points. The membrane terminations, penetration flashings, and drainage paths are designed around your planned sleeper system and deck layout—not retrofitted as an afterthought. We use the same membrane systems we install on any flat roof project: TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, or PVC based on your building's requirements.

When the same team handles roofing and deck construction, the two systems integrate instead of conflicting. Sleeper attachment doesn't compromise membrane integrity. Drainage slopes work with deck pitch. Flashing transitions seal properly. Most importantly, you get one warranty covering both systems—no separate roofer and deck contractor pointing fingers when problems arise. The roof membrane becomes a purpose-built foundation for decades of outdoor living above.