Residential Rooftop Deck with GroundSmart SmartLoc Rubber Pavers — Littleton, CO
Project Overview
- Location: Littleton, CO (Ken Caryl area)
- Building Type: Residential — elevated deck over living space
- Size: Elevated deck area
- Roofing System: GroundSmart SmartLoc 16” x 16” x 5/8” recycled rubber roof pavers, dry-laid
- Completed: 2026
- Manufacturer: GroundSmart
- Warranty: 5-year limited manufacturer warranty
Roof Condition
A homeowner in the Ken Caryl area of Littleton had an elevated deck off the main level that was waterproofed but not finished — a bare, utilitarian surface that got hot in the sun, showed every scuff, and was not somewhere anyone wanted to sit. Rhino Roofing LLC installed GroundSmart SmartLoc recycled-rubber pavers over the deck to turn it into a finished, walkable outdoor room without adding meaningful weight or disturbing the waterproofing below.
- No wear layer to protect the membrane from furniture, foot traffic, and UV
- Bare surface too hot in direct sun
- Not comfortable or attractive as outdoor living space
- No protection for the waterproofing membrane from daily use
Evaluation & Approach
The waterproofing membrane under the deck was sound and did not need replacement. The problem was the surface: no wear layer to protect the membrane from furniture, foot traffic, and UV, and nothing to make it comfortable or attractive as living space.
Why This Approach
- GroundSmart SmartLoc pavers are 100% post-consumer recycled rubber, adding very little dead load
- Interlocking tabs hold the field together without glue — any tile can be lifted for membrane inspection or repair
- Slip-resistant wet or dry, stays far cooler underfoot than stone or concrete
- Rubber does not freeze, crack, or spall through Colorado winters
- Each tile is reversible — brick-block pattern on one face, cobblestone on the other
- 5-year limited manufacturer warranty from GroundSmart
Scope of Work
- Inspection and Preparation: Inspected the existing deck waterproofing, drains, and perimeter terminations to confirm the surface was ready for a paver overlay. Cleaned the deck surface.
- Layout: Laid out the tile grid from the house wall to keep full tiles at the door and sightlines square to the railing.
- Paver Installation: Dry-laid GroundSmart SmartLoc 16” x 16” x 5/8” rubber pavers across the full deck, engaging the patented interlocking tabs tile to tile — no adhesive, no fasteners, no penetrations.
- Perimeter Cuts and Finishing: Field-cut tiles at the perimeter, posts, and door threshold for a tight, finished edge. Checked door swing clearance and drainage flow across the finished surface.
Result
Warranty: GroundSmart 5-year limited manufacturer warranty
- Finished Outdoor Space: Bare membrane transformed into a comfortable outdoor living area in a single visit
- Membrane Protection: Waterproofing is now protected from UV exposure, furniture, and foot traffic
- Lift-Out Access: Every tile can be lifted for membrane inspection or repair and dropped back in
- 100% Recycled Rubber: Lightweight, slip-resistant, cool underfoot, and freeze-crack resistant through Colorado winters