DIY Network

We have a great 2nd floor 200+ sq foot terrace off master bedroom in our town house. Would be "perfect" except typical summer temps in Palm Desert, Ca average well over 115 degrees. Have used indoor-outdoor rugs but they all fade, get crisp and practically burn up. Also become too hot to walk or even stand on.
Rules don't allow use of slate, stone or brick because of the weight,and have thought of the lego-like snap-lock type polyurethane tiles. If anyone has used these (or similar) tiles or has any other suggestions advice would be most welcome and sincerely appreciated.
Carol

What's on there now for a sub floor?

Hi Joe - The "terrace" is actually the roof over the downstairs den. The "sub floor" seems to be covered with some sort of nearly black, slightly rough waterproof roofing material, layed on in about 2 foot wide strips. It absorbs heat and is too hot to stand or walk on. But then so is the indoor-outdoor carpet.
Your suggestions, advice and/or ideas would be very welcome. Thanks . . . Carol

Sounds like just rolled roofing or storm and ice shield which should never have been walked on in the first place.
Without being able to see it it's just a guess but it sounds like this was never meant to be a real patio. If the roof is dead flat then any thing sitting on it is going to rot or form mold.
If there is a slope and there never is any standing water on it then the deck should have bee just sitting on the roof which should have been EDM one piece rubber roofing With just flat sleepers (pressure treated 2 X 4,s or better yet 1 X 4 vinyl lumber laying flat on the roof and not attached to the roof) with a frame made of pressure treat wood to set the deck on and attached to the building with copper flashing.
If this would raise the deck any closer then 4" to the door sill then it should not be done because it will rot out the subflooring over time.

Hi Joe - Thanks for the info. You're so right, was not originally intended for terrace by the builder, but there are 50 townhouses that have been using it as a terrace for about 36 years. And, because we live in the desert with an average of 2" of rain per year, (some years less) there's never been a problem. Extreme dryness (sometimes humidity is actually 0%)and High tempretures ARE the problem
My concern has always been appearance and usability, that's why I tried indoor-outdoor carpet, and that's why I'm considering open lego-type, polyurthane or recycled rubber tiles. Flexcourt.com and Snaplock.com are 2 of the manufacturers if you'd like to check them out I'd appreciate your opinion.
Thanks for your help . . . . Carol

I live in Phoenix and can attest that recycled rubber stinks in the heat. What about laying something like Trex down? Maybe the quality of carpet you bought wasn't so great. I think carpet would be the best for this application really.
MOnica

HAVE YOU LOOKED FOE BAMBOO CARPET IT MIGHT JUST DO THE JOB. GOOGLE IT AND SEE WHAT COMES UP.

I have thought of using bamboo carpet, but am afraid that the extremely dry conditions and high temps would cause it to dry up and deteriorate very quickly. But I do thank you for the suggestion.
Carol

Hi Monica - Wondered about possible odor from recycled rubber. Living in Phoenix you know what our conditions here in Palm Desert.
Actually the carpet I used (and still have up on the terrace) was "high-end" from Restoration Hardware. Given the very unique situation I can't really blame the carpet for going bad.
Thanks for the heads-up on the recycled rubber. Will definitely keep that in mind. Have tested samples of the polyurethen tiles and they stay cool and don't smell. May try to get a sample of the rubber tile and just leave it up there on the terrace for a while to "cook" and see what happens.
Thanks again . . . Carol

Most composit umber install instrutions say there must be air flow under the decking of at least 12". Since it's so dry in your area this may not apply.
Any commercial roofing company in your area sells a really thick material that they lay on flat roofs where people are going to have to be walking to servace equipment.
Pick up a piece and apply Cool Seal to it. Cool Seal is white and can be bought at Lowes, HD, and camping supply store (at twice the price)

Hi Joe - Cool Seal sounds like a GREAT IDEA! Especially if it can be painted white so that it doesn't absorb the intense heat. It also sounds as if it would be easy to keep clean w/a blower or a vac.
Hardest part, knowing our particular area, is getting it acomplished. I'll check with some local roofing companies to see if I can get anyone to do the job.
I do appreciate your interest and obvious knowledge. Thanks . . . Carol

I'm not sure restoration hardware would have the best carpet for our conditions. The sun is brutal. While the carpet might have cost high end, I think you would do better elsewhere. I would look for a local vendor who supplies commercial carpets in the area.

This is a lot like buying plants grown in San Diego with tags that say "full sun". They don't mean 115 degrees for sure!

Good luck!
Monica

I see no way someones going to come all the way out there to such a small job. Just measure what you need and just buy the material. It's no harder to install then a piece of carpet.

Oh Joe . . . . You DO overestimate me! Sorry I'm just a single 5'5", 110 lb SoCalGal . . . not an Amazon woman!! I probably couldn't get the material into my car much less carry it upstairs to lay on the deck.
Brains, not muscles, have always been my forte'.
Regards - Carol

Thanks Monica, nice to communicate w/someone who knows what summer in the desert is REALLY like. BTW: After your last note realized I did have a sample of the recycled rubber tile, put it outside in the direct sun, and you were right! It really does smell awful. (s----s, in fact!) Never would have thought of it on my own. Really appreciate the tip.

I'm a single 5'8" 165 lb. guy, send a picture and I may just fly out and install the flooring it for you. lol

Yeah, Joe, we need you to go there to learn how to construct where nothing ever rots, where vinyl siding does not exist, where stucco is king and people (not me) have rocks instead of lawns!

LOL!
Monica

Aside from your other "qualifications," you also seem like a very nice man. Its true I'm pretty desperate to do something w/the terrace, but do you really think its fair for you to temp me, Joe?
Carol

Monica, you exactly described everything about the way we live here, except for the rocks. Instead, at Ironwood CC where I live, we're surrounded by acres and acres and acres of perfectly manicured lawns that the poor gardeners have to slave out in 118 degree temps to tend, and perfect miniature fake looking flower beds that are planted and ripped out 4 times a year because the Board of Directors thinks that's how Palm Desert is supposed to look.
Of course all the Old Geezer Board members live in the midwest and are only out here 4-6 months a year. And, very stupidly, hate cacti and succulents even more than they hate rocks!

Nothing rots! Oh no I'd be out of business.
I love to see rot, leaks, brakage. All I see is dollar signs. lol