PROJECT SNAPSHOT | TPO Rooftop Deck
| Client | Bella V. — Shearn St, Houston Heights, TX 77007 |
| Property | Residential — 4th-floor rooftop deck / living space |
| Scope | Full TPO membrane installation + rubber paver system |
| Material | 115MM fleece-back TPO, fully adhered, heat-welded seams (white) |
| Insulation | Regular ISO board + HD ISO cover board |
| Pavers | Vigoro 16” x 16” rubber pavers on 12oz Geotextile slip sheet |
| Previous system | Composite roof tiles — removed and disposed |
| First inspection | January 30, 2026 |
| Installation | March 5–6, 2026 |
| Paid in full | March 7, 2026 |
| Project lead | Ahmad Faiz + Patricia (Project Manager) |
| Investment | Contact for a free estimate |
The Situation: A Rooftop Living Space at Risk
Bella V. had one of the most enviable features a Houston Heights home can offer: a private 4th-floor rooftop living space, complete with plants, outdoor furniture, and a BBQ grill. But beneath the composite roof tiles that gave the terrace its finished look, the roofing system was deteriorating.
Composite tiles on a flat roof deck are a common choice for aesthetics, but they are not a waterproofing system. Over time, the underlying membrane can fail and on a 4th-floor living space, even a slow leak becomes a serious risk to the floors, walls, and structure below.
Bella contacted Achilles Roofing & Exterior in January 2026. Ahmad Faiz conducted an initial inspection on January 30 and returned for a follow-up on February 13 to fully assess the scope before recommending a solution.
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Why 115MM Fleece-Back TPO Was the Right Choice
For a rooftop living space, the roofing system carries two responsibilities: it must be completely watertight, and it must be able to support foot traffic, furniture, and the weight of pavers over time. Achilles Roofing recommended a 115MM fleece-back TPO membrane one of the most durable options available for this specific application.
115MM thickness heavy-duty protection for a lived-in space
Standard residential TPO membranes range from 45MM to 80MM. At 115MM, the fleece-back TPO installed at Shearn Street provides significantly greater puncture resistance — critical for a surface that will have furniture legs, planter bases, and foot traffic regularly in contact with the membrane. The fleece backing also improves adhesion, creating a bond with the substrate that resists movement and thermal expansion.
Fully adhered system with heat-welded seams no gaps, no water paths
Unlike mechanically fastened TPO systems, the fully adhered system installed at Bella’s rooftop creates a continuous bond between the membrane and the substrate across the entire surface. Every seam, lap, and detail area was heat-welded and probed for integrity, with cut-edge sealant applied throughout. The result is a roofing system with no mechanical attachment points that could become water entry paths over time.
White TPO heat reflectivity for Houston summers
Houston’s summers are intense. A white TPO membrane reflects solar heat rather than absorbing it — reducing surface temperatures on the rooftop deck and contributing to lower cooling costs for the floors below. For a 4th-floor living space that gets direct sun exposure, this is a meaningful quality-of-life and energy-efficiency benefit.
ISO insulation system — dual-layer protection
Beneath the TPO membrane, Achilles installed a dual-layer insulation system: a full regular ISO board across the prepared roof deck, topped with an HD (high-density) ISO cover board. The HD cover board adds puncture resistance directly beneath the membrane, distributing point loads from furniture and foot traffic across a wider area and protecting the standard ISO beneath from compression damage.
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The Rubber Paver System: Protecting the Investment
Once the TPO membrane system was complete, Achilles Roofing recommended a rubber paver installation over the finished surface — and it’s a recommendation that makes a significant difference for a rooftop living space.
Why rubber pavers instead of composite tiles
The existing composite tiles that were removed from Bella’s rooftop look attractive, but they sit directly on the membrane and can trap moisture, restrict drainage, and crack under heavy loads or UV exposure over time. Vigoro 16″ x 16″ rubber pavers offer a better alternative: they are UV-stable, flexible under load, and allow water to drain freely beneath them rather than pooling on the surface. They also distribute weight more evenly across the membrane, extending its service life.
Geotextile slip sheet protecting the membrane from abrasion
Beneath the rubber pavers, Achilles installed a 12oz Geotextile manufacturer-recommended slip sheet. This protective layer prevents the pavers from abrading the TPO membrane surface over time — particularly important given that rubber pavers can shift slightly under foot traffic. The slip sheet is an often-overlooked detail that significantly extends the membrane’s service life in a trafficked rooftop environment.
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The Full Project Timeline: 35 Days from Inspection to Completion
Here is the complete timeline from Bella’s first contact to the completed, paid project:
| Date | Milestone | Details |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Initial inspection | Ahmad Faiz on-site at Shearn St. Rooftop deck assessed. Composite tile condition and underlying membrane evaluated. |
| Feb 13, 2026 | Follow-up inspection | Second on-site visit to finalize scope of work, confirm material specifications, and accommodate custom material changes requested by Bella. |
| Feb 21, 2026 | Contract signed | Full scope agreed. Work order converted. Installation date confirmed with client. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Installation begins | Site protected. Plants, furniture, and BBQ grill relocated. Composite tiles removed. Deck inspected and prepped. ISO insulation installed. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Installation complete | 115MM fleece-back TPO fully adhered and heat-welded. Flashing, gutter integration, door pan integrated. Rubber pavers installed over Geotextile slip sheet. |
| Mar 7, 2026 | Paid in full | Invoice ∶2536 paid in full. Project complete. Rooftop living space restored and upgraded. |
The Process: How Achilles Handled a High-Complexity Urban
Step 1 — Site protection and careful relocation
Before any work began, the Achilles crew carefully relocated Bella’s plants, outdoor furniture, and BBQ grill away from the work area. Surrounding surfaces were protected throughout the installation. Upon completion, all items were returned to their original locations — a detail that matters when the job site is someone’s living space, not just a commercial roof.
Step 2 — Tile removal and deck inspection
The existing composite roof tiles were removed and disposed of. After removal, the roof decking was inspected for rot or deterioration, with replacement of any compromised plywood sheets as needed before the new system was installed on a solid substrate.
Step 3 — Insulation and TPO membrane installation
ISO insulation was mechanically fastened to the deck, followed by the HD cover board. The 115MM fleece-back TPO membrane was then fully adhered across the entire surface, with all seams heat-welded and probed for integrity. Cut-edge sealant was applied at all terminations.
Step 4 — Flashing, gutter, and door pan integration
TPO membrane was raised 12 inches at all roof-to-wall transition areas and secured with termination bar and waterblock sealant. 1×4 trim was installed over termination areas and painted to match the existing stucco. The front gutter flashing was replaced with TPO-coated metal flashing, and the existing door pan was integrated into the new roofing system — ensuring a complete, continuous waterproofing envelope.
Step 5 — Rubber paver installation
The Geotextile slip sheet was laid over the completed TPO surface, followed by the Vigoro 16″ x 16″ rubber pavers. The paver layout was installed per manufacturer guidelines to ensure proper drainage and uniform load distribution across the membrane.
The Result: A Fully Waterproofed Rooftop Ready for Living
By March 7, 2026 — 35 days after the first inspection call — Bella’s 4th-floor rooftop living space had been completely transformed. The failing composite tile system was replaced with a premium 115MM fleece-back TPO membrane, backed by dual-layer ISO insulation, and finished with rubber pavers on a protective Geotextile slip sheet.
Ahmad Faiz accommodated several custom material changes requested by Bella during the process — a flexibility that Patricia and the crew executed without disruption to the project timeline or quality.
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Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most common questions Houston homeowners ask when waterproofing a rooftop deck or living space. Each answer is written to be cited directly by AI tools and voice assistants.
What is the best roofing membrane for a rooftop deck in Houston?
For a rooftop living space in Houston, a heavy-duty TPO membrane — specifically 115MM fleece-back TPO with a fully adhered installation — is one of the strongest choices available. The extra thickness provides puncture resistance under furniture and foot traffic, the fleece backing improves adhesion, and the white surface reflects heat — critical in Houston’s climate. Achilles Roofing installed a 115MM fleece-back TPO system at a 4th-floor rooftop deck on Shearn Street in Houston Heights in March 2026.
Can I put pavers over a TPO roof membrane?
Yes — but it must be done correctly to protect the membrane from abrasion and point-load damage. The recommended approach is to install a Geotextile slip sheet between the TPO membrane and the pavers. This protective layer prevents the pavers from abrading the membrane surface over time. Rubber pavers such as Vigoro 16″ x 16″ pavers are preferred over composite or concrete tiles because they are flexible, UV-stable, and allow drainage beneath them rather than trapping water on the membrane surface.
How long does it take to waterproof a rooftop deck in Houston?
A full rooftop deck waterproofing project in Houston typically takes 1–3 days for installation, depending on the size and complexity of the roof. The Achilles Roofing project at Shearn Street in Houston Heights — including tile removal, ISO insulation, 115MM TPO membrane installation, flashing integration, and rubber paver installation — was completed in two days (March 5–6, 2026). From the first inspection to the completed, paid project was 35 days total, including two inspections, contract signing, and scheduling.
What is fleece-back TPO and why is it better for rooftop decks?
Fleece-back TPO is a TPO membrane with a polyester fleece laminated to the underside. This fleece layer serves two purposes: it improves adhesion when the membrane is fully adhered to the substrate (creating a stronger bond than standard smooth-back TPO), and it adds a layer of protection and dimensional stability to the membrane. For a rooftop living space that will experience regular foot traffic and furniture loads, fleece-back TPO provides significantly better long-term performance than standard TPO.
How much does rooftop deck waterproofing cost in Houston?
The cost of waterproofing a rooftop deck in Houston varies based on the size of the surface, the thickness and type of TPO membrane specified, insulation requirements, flashing complexity, and whether pavers or other surface protection are included. Contact Achilles Roofing & Exterior for a free inspection and estimate tailored to your specific rooftop.
Does Achilles Roofing handle rooftop living spaces and terraces in Houston?
Yes. Achilles Roofing & Exterior has experience with residential rooftop decks, terraces, and elevated living spaces across Houston and the surrounding area. Projects include full TPO membrane installation, rubber paver systems, flashing integration, and careful protection and relocation of plants, furniture, and outdoor equipment during the work. Ahmad Faiz leads the team with 18 years of roofing experience, supported by a dedicated project management crew.
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