Roof Deck Advice Please!

[Joe45]

I'm about to start installing the insulation again, and the ceiling is next after I finish a few panels that are left on the walls. Since I am going to install a deck, I figure I better do any drilling and screw installing now-before the insulation covers those areas.



So does anyone have advice on how to make supports for a roof deck? I have a pretty good idea of what to do, but don't want to reinvent the wheel. Just need to install some brackets that I can attach the deck/roof rack to, including the solar panels.


Maybe I can make the ceiling insulation removable by making them into panels that fit between the ribs that cross overhead. Those ribs are staying exposed, since I like the way they have an industrial/steampunk/submarine look. I'm even going to put the screws back in to make it more industrial looking.



Another option is to insulate between the deck and the roof, eliminating the need to insulate inside/ceiling. Maybe use that expanding pourable foam?
As far as thermal bridging goes, the deck and insulation will cover the roof, so no problems there.


Just looking for ideas.

Thanks!

[PNW_Steve]

Hey Joe,

I had great plans for a roof deck until I mentioned it to my insurance agent. She informed me that they would cancel my policy if they found out that I had a roof deck.

You may want to check with your insurance company.

[Joe45]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Hey Joe,

I had great plans for a roof deck until I mentioned it to my insurance agent. She informed me that they would cancel my policy if they found out that I had a roof deck.

You may want to check with your insurance company.

That really sucks. I'm gonna see if I can find out what their policy on roof decks are clandestinely.



Thanks!

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Joe45

That really sucks. I'm gonna see if I can find out what their policy on roof decks are clandestinely.



Thanks!

I didn't feel the need to be stealthy. I straight up asked and got a straight answer. I have been dealing with pretty much the same folks for 18+ years and am not shy about asking questions.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Joe45

That really sucks. I'm gonna see if I can find out what their policy on roof decks are clandestinely.



Thanks!

Nothing clandestine, call your insurance company and ask them if they cover roof decks on buses? You don't have to tell them who you are. Ask them about wood burning stoves.

[Danjo]

Remember they have caller ID.

[Danjo]

What insurance co?

[JackE]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Hey Joe,

I had great plans for a roof deck until I mentioned it to my insurance agent. She informed me that they would cancel my policy if they found out that I had a roof deck.

You may want to check with your insurance company.

So, I'm wondering if there is a difference between a 'Deck' and a 'Safari/Roof/Cargo' rack when talking to the insurance company.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by JackE

So, I'm wondering if there is a difference between a 'Deck' and a 'Safari/Roof/Cargo' rack when talking to the insurance company.

I was told no decks, no racks

[Geeze]

With no racks how do you mount solar?

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Danjo

I was told no decks, no racks

Surely a car-top carrier would be allowable?

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by Geeze

With no racks how do you mount solar?

Not a rack. It’s a fixture. They said panels are OK

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Surely a car-top carrier would be allowable?

I asked about that explicitly. I said I wanted to put one of those baskets like they sell for SIVs. The answer was No.

[Geeze]

So it is a maintenance platform to clean the solar panels

[Joe45]

So as far as building a deck, or solar panel fixture, etc....


Any ideas on building it?



Most I've seen have vertical posts on the side of the bus attached a the same intervals as the window frame posts.


My current idea is a length of 1"x1.5"x20' 14g steel tubing bolted lengthwise down the center of the roof. A series of same material vertical posts (about 12" long) bolted along the sides and joined to each other by another section of same material going crosswise and either bolted or welded to the middle one.

Then on that, I would attach a steel frame where the solar panels would go and also an area to serve as the deck.



Anyone done something different/better/less conspicuous?


The roof being curved, a flat deck needs some kind of bracket.


A length of angle iron bolted lengthwise on each side?
Square/rectangular steel tubing?


Issue is attaching a flat deck to a curved surface.

[Joe45]

Another idea is a series of brackets that conform to the curvature of the roof and are right angle on top.

[Joe45]

Here's a quick sketch of my idea.

[Joe45]

Does anyone have any input on attaching a deck/cargo rack?

[Drew Bru]

Originally Posted by Joe45

Does anyone have any input on attaching a deck/cargo rack?

We went through the ribs with long carriage bolts and nyloc nuts on the inside. If I were to do it again? I'm not sure I would do it at all...we just don't use the deck nearly enough to justify it.

[musigenesis]

A lot of people mount the posts for their decks to the sides of the walls, and I'm not sure why they do that. A post mounted to the side converts all of the weight it bears into shear stress on the fasteners (or welds) its attached with, while with a post mounted on the slightly-sloped roof the load is almost entirely in compression (which stresses the fasteners not at all) with a little bit of shear because of the angle. The posts are also shorter this way (hence lighter and cheaper).

I think people mount to the sides because they don't want to put holes in the roof that might leak. On my bus, all of the water came in through the windows and lights in the walls; the roof never leaked, so I'd be more hesitant to put a hole in my wall than in the roof.