What are Deck Tiles?
Building a deck can seem like a daunting task to a novice handyman, but deck tiles make it easy and fast. In a matter of hours, you can transform a tired balcony, porch, or sundeck from boring and ordinary to a stunning outdoor living area your family and guests will love. The best part is that you can lay deck tiles over existing wood deck or concrete floor – no preparation necessary.
Deck Tiles Advantages
- Save time. Deck tiles are literally a snap to install. You can go from shabby to chic in a matter of hours.
Deck tiles are easy to install, require no tools or experience, and can be installed over any flat and dry surface.
- Tiles are easy to install. The only flooring material easier to install is a throw rug. Deck tiles snap together easily with a minimum of fuss. No special tools are necessary for many installations.
- Hide gaps, gouges, cracks, and warping in existing floor surface. If you need to cover an old wood or concrete floor with minor damage, deck tiles are stable enough to be placed right over most damage without repair. Major structural damage may need to be addressed before installation.
- Tiles are scratch-resistant. It’s nice to know that your deck will stand up to punishment, even if you have kids and pets.
- Flexible design. Combine a variety of styles and colors to create borders or medallions, geometric patterns, areas of interest, or classic diagonals.
- Replacing damaged tiles is easy. Dart tournament gone horribly awry? Gargoyle fall off the roof gable? No problem. With deck tiles, you can snap out the damaged tiles and replace them immediately.
Installing Deck Tiles
Interlocking deck tiles snap together with pegs inserted into corresponding holes. A sturdy grid attached to each tile secures the strips and prevents sliding to provide a stable surface that will not shift or warp. Installation may require cutting the tiles to fit around protrusions, for example a fireplace, vent, or column, attached to the floor. If the floor space is regular with nothing attached to the floor, cutting may not be necessary. You can cover gaps around the edges with edge trim.
No matter what material, style, or color you choose, you’ll save on installation costs and make repair as easy as putting together a child’s puzzle. Your beautiful new deck will last for a long time to come.
For a high-level and visual look at what  a deck tile installation project would look like, here’s a 5-minute video to take you through the steps.
With the overall view of the project in mind, below are some other things to consider when you’re thinking about buying deck tiles, besides how easy they are to install.
Things to Consider
The first consideration should be durability. If you’re considering wood for an outdoor setting, a tropical wood like teak or ipe will stand up to the elements for a long time. It is especially important to choose a wood traditionally used for boat and marine applications for decking in a typically wet environment.
Color is another important element. Before you decide, find out how the wood will age. Some woods, when exposed to sun and elements, will become mellow and rich in color. Others will bleach out and lose their tone.
In addition to color, you’ll want to think about style. Will you choose to lay out a complicated geometric design, a simple diagonal pattern, or some combination to create a unique design? You may even choose to mix woods or finishes to create contrast.
Insect-resistance is a quality of some woods. When choosing a wood, determine what wood-boring insects are indigenous to your area and choose a wood resistant to those insects.
Deck Tile Materials
Deck tiles come in a wide variety of materials, colors, and styles for endless design options. You are limited only by your own imagination. Choose from stone or ceramic, beautiful exotic woods in patterns or simple strips, or sturdy composite material.
Debbie
What if I have warped composite decking now…will I be able to use these tile to cover it or since there are warped boards I can’t?
nimesh shah
I WANT THIS.
Robert Newman
Very interested. Where can I see the product? What’s the price?
BuildDirect Product Expert Team
Hi Robert. Thanks so much for reaching out to us! Here is a link to all of our deck tiles: https://www.builddirect.com/Interlocking-Deck-Tiles-Results.aspx – please take a look through and feel free to order yourself some samples! The samples are completely free and are shipped out overnight with FedEx, so you can receive them as early as the following day! If you require assistance with this, please feel free to call our toll free number at 1 877 631 2845 or talk to one of our online chat representatives. Please let me know if you have any questions!
kevin
if i leave the wood tiles down in the winter time can the tiles be easily scratched or damaged by shoveling snow of the deck
BuildDirect Product Expert Team
Hi Kevin,
Good question. That is a possibility, however, you can help limit potential damage by shoveling a little slower than you would in your driveway and using a plastic shovel or a snow blower.
You could also pull your tiles and store them over the winter months if you are concerned about damage.
But it’s almost summer now so don’t worry! 🙂
Ron
This looks very nice once all laid out. My main question though is. How hard are they to take apart once in place? In other words can a small child easily pull these out of place? How durable is the connecting material? Can they be pulled apart multiple times without getting worn to the point they fall apart?
Jordan
What if the surface is a little uneven is there something used to level this product?
Mercedes
Can you use deck tiles on soil? Is there a way to level and flatten surface for deck tiles without using concrete?
Jaycee
Hello,
I have similar issues to the ones listed. Concrete patio as well as a wood deck (not raised), both in direct sun for much of the day, and both completely exposed to the elements in New York….How do heat and moisture affect the concrete underneath? Additionally, when it rains, water does pool in one area of the patio (not significantly and not for long). Any advice is appreciated.
Thank you!
Jaycee
Rob Jones
You might want to talk to a local contractor about leveling the concrete, and about making sure you’ve got proper drainage. All products, decking and flooring, that go over a substrate like concrete (or any other surface) always do better when that substrate is level, clean, and dry (i.e. no standing water). Seeing to the substrate can be a preventative step in protecting your deck.
Sueli
Hi I installed this product over a concrete floor from a balcony on 28th floor., and now the property manager demanded that I remove the tiles., because this could damage the concrete floor over the time., with water and humidity underneath., is that true., I tried to get so me advice from an architect or Civil Engineer< can you please give me some information about this issue.
KM Hodges
I am interested in covering an old slate/concrete patio with deck tiles. One edge of the patio has a cement block retaining wall that unfortunately catches water for a few hours after heavy rains. Otherwise, the patio is mostly level with a slight grade for the drainage. Also, the patio is shaded for most of the day, letting a good bit of moss grow if not kept clean. How will the deck tiles wear in this type of environment and do you have any suggestions.
Rex Williams
I want to cover over my old existing deck. need to know if Deck Tiles will work, if so, how thick are they and what is the price sq ftootage.
Steve Ores
What kind of maintenance do teak deck tiles need over the years to keep their look and longevity? Cleaning? Oils? Also, what’s the best brand you carry? Thanks.
Lori janow
I have a worn wood deck. Can I put the deck tiles over my wood deck. Help!!!!
Altan @ BuildDirect
Hello Anne Marie, Deck Tiles installation is very similar to Lego pieces, the edge of the tiles snap together seamlessly creating a float flooring style like laminate. Please look at the link provided below on the selection of deck tiles BuildDirect has to offer. //www.builddirect.com/Interlocking-Deck-Tiles.aspx. Once you figure out what style you like, order a couple of samples to test the product out. Please feel free to call or email me if you have any other question.
Cheers,
Altan Uludag
annemarie
Where do you buy this product and do you have names of people who we can hire to do it..we are not talented enough to tackle this….