What are Decking Tiles?

Many homeowners are starting to consider decking tiles as a legitimate design option for their outdoor space. Deck tiles are an easy-to-install option that can add a lot of class to your deck. They come in a variety of styles, designs, and colors. While they are growing in popularity, many people still are not familiar with them. Here are some things that you need to know about deck tiles and how they could benefit you. 

Construction

Deck tiles are constructed in a very unique way compared to other products. The top layer of the tile is made of several wood slats. This wood can be made out of a variety of different materials including species of hardwood and bamboo. Regardless of what wood material is used, they treat it in a special way that makes it resistant to water, extreme temperatures, and scratches.
Beneath the wood layer, there is a plastic track attached to the bottom. The plastic track serves the purpose of holding the wood slats together and holding them up off of the ground. This allows water to get down through the tiles and drain properly. The plastic track is hard and very durable. It also has a locking system along the edge that locks into the next deck tile when it is installed.

Applications

Although they are called deck tiles, they are not specifically just for decks. You could put them in a variety of different places in and outside the house. They look great on back porches, pool surrounds, hot tub surrounds, and decks. Many people that have usable space on the roof have also used decking tiles as a nice addition.
In addition to the multiple outdoor applications for deck tiles, there are also a number of ways that you could use them on the inside of the house. Any area that traditionally has water or moisture around it can be a good area to utilize these tiles. They are recommended in areas with a lot of high traffic as well. For example, you could use them in the bathroom, sunroom, garage, gym, or even in the basement.

Installation

Perhaps the best part of the deck tile is the installation process. It is truly one of the easiest things that you could possibly install. With the unique track system, you just have to hook them together. When you hook the tiles together, you do not have to apply very much pressure at all. They easily snap together and you just sit them on top of the ground. You do not attach them to the subfloor at all, therefore there is no adhesive or stapling required.
In order to install the tile, you need a relatively flat surface to work with. You may have to level out the surface a bit with some floor patch. The only tool that you should need is a saw to cut the tile.
When you order the tile, make sure to get at least 10% overage. This will allow you to have some extra for making cuts around the edge of the space.