How to Choose an Interlocking Wood Decking Tile

Interlocking wood decking tiles or patio pavers are rapidly becoming a very popular product for quickly and easily covering drab concrete patios with an attractive solid wood surface. They have the big advantage that you don't need to rip up the old concrete and can simply lay them over the top, without any special surface preparation. And the beauty of these convenient patio pavers is that you don't need to be an expert handyman and you won't need a special set of power tools to install them. They just click together like a jigsaw puzzle.

However there is now a increasing number of manufacturers offering such products, so making an informed choice between what's available is becoming more difficult. In this article, we discuss some of the main features of the tiles that you probably should consider before making a final decision on which tile would suit you best in your particular circumstances.

Wood species

This is probably one of the most important aspects in choosing a decking tile. Ideally you would choose a wood species with the highest natural durability, but there is the colour aspect to consider as well. Wood species can range tremendously in colour, from light straw through chocolate browns to deep orange red colours. But based on durability considerations alone, then one of the most durable and hard wearing species is undoubtedly Ipe wood from South America. Under this there are then a number of other wood species also from South America and a few from Southeast Asia. Rather than listing all the individual species, we suggest that you check the durability and other characteristics from an authoritative web site such as the USDA Forest Service at http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/Menu.ssi . Note that some species, although they may be durable in respect of climatic considerations, may still be subject to insect attack such as termites which could be an important consideration in your particular region.

Other considerations when choosing the wood species of course are whether the wood has been responsibly harvested or comes from managed forests.

Wood thickness

Most tiles on the market use wood slats which are approximately 5/8" (15mm) thick. Some manufacturers supply tiles with 3/4" thick slats and others with ½" thick slats. The product you choose to some extent depends on the location where you intend to lay the tiles. For interior situations such as basements, covered patios and other areas not subject to extreme weather conditions, then the ½" thick slats maybe entirely suitable. However in areas with more extreme climatic variation, we would suggest that the thicker wood is a better choice.

Plastic base composition

Plastic tile bases may be made of many combinations of plastic including polypropylene, polyethylene or other plastic materials. Whilst different manufacturers have their particular reason for choosing a specific plastic compound, the main considerations you should be aware of are the brittleness of the plastic, the low temperature characteristics (if you happen to live in a very cold area), and the UV stability of the plastic used. The latter point is extremely important as unless a plastic product used in exterior conditions contains a UV stabiliser, it can degrade very quickly.

Interlocking mechanism

Broadly speaking, there are only two types of interlocking mechanism used on decking tiles currently in the marketplace. Firstly there is the type that has female connectors on two sides and male connectors on the other two sides. Generally speaking, the female connectors are a series of loops which mesh with the pins on the other two sides.

The other type of locking mechanism is completely symmetrical so that any side of any tile will lock with any side of any other tile such as SwiftDeck tiles from http://www.swiftdeck.com.

The disadvantage of the loop and pin style is firstly that it requires a bit more thought in laying the tiles as you must effectively only start in one corner of the area to be covered and keep on moving from that corner. It is difficult to install or remove one of these type of tiles in a central area without disrupting at least three of the tiles around it. The other problem is that on the outer edge of final row you will have one tile with loops on the edge and the next tile with pins on the edge.

There are also tiles on the market which are effectively one way connectors. Once you click the tiles into position, you cannot easily lift them up again. Whilst this may not be a disadvantage if you have no intention of changing the tiles at any time, it does limit your options if you intend to move your home or if you wish to change the design of the deck.

The other problem with the loop and pin design is that if the manufacturer provides an option of clip-on transition strips, then you need two types of these - one which will connect with the pins, and one which will connect with the loops. And similarly if corner transition pieces are supplied as an option, then you also need two types of these as well.

Availability of different designs

Some manufacturers only supply one design of deck tile, generally with four slats of wood running in the same direction. Sometimes there is an option of a five or six slat tile. With other manufacturers you may have an option of more than one design. The advantage of this is that you can then mix and match the different designs to make attractive borders, centrepieces etc.

Optional accessories

If you are using the tiles to cover an existing concrete patio, you would probably have at least one open side. Thus on the final row tiles, you would be able to see the plastic base and the connecting pins unless they are hidden somehow. Some manufacturers therefore provide clip-on transition strips which also have the advantage of reducing the danger of shipping on the outer row of tiles. Corner transition strips are also normally available from such suppliers for the external corners.

This covers the main design and material factors that you should consider when choosing a wood decking tile / patio paver. Of course as well as the above factors you would probably also want to take into consideration the price of the tile, the warranty being offered, any trial period being offered, the after sales service, return policy etc

Malcolm Kay is the CEO of HandyDeck Systems Inc. a supplier of DIY exterior home improvement products including interlocking wood patio pavers. For more information see http://www.swiftdeck.com

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Interlocking Deck Tiles - A Great DIY Project For Beautiful Deck, Patio And Porch Flooring

Many people have to replace their porch flooring, decks, or patios every year due to normal wear and tear. Treated lumber degrades over time, boards crack and splinter, and staining it another year isn't going to help much. Concrete patios crack, just no way to get around that. You can live with the small cracks but after a while those cracks can look like the Grand Canyon. You can replace all the deck boards or remove the concrete and pour another one.

Here's another option - interlocking deck tiles. The great thing about interlocking deck tiles is that they can be placed right over your porch flooring, decking, or patio. They are specifically made so that anyone can do it; you don't need to hire a contractor (saving you significant money right from the start).  As long as your existing flooring is in good shape, the interlocking deck tiles hide unsightly boards and cracked concrete. And because they are an engineered product they'll last a long time.

Another feature that's sure to make you take notice is the variety of materials, styles, colors, and patterns that are available. You can mix and match to create your own unique design. You can use one style as a border for your porch or patio and use another to cover the rest. You are only limited by your imagination. Not only that but you can choose from a variety of woods, porcelain, slate, granite, and even composites. They make great flooring for screened porches, 3-season porches, and four season porches as well.

Most people can install them over a medium size area in a few hours so you can enjoy the beauty of them right away. The only thing you won't want to do is install them on steps or stairways as they are not specifically designed for that. However, you can also use them around your pool, hot tub, walkways, and garden areas. Because the tiles are not directly fastened to your subfloor, you can even take them with you if you move, making them a great investment.

Interlocking deck tiles may be just the answer to that worn out porch, deck, or patio floor. Install them in the morning and have your friends over to enjoy your new look in the afternoon!

To learn much more about front porch flooring and to be inspired by many front porch pictures, please visit http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/interlocking-deck-tiles.html.

Dave R. Morris is a co-creator and co-founder of http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/front-porch-designs.html, your portal for front porch ideas and designs.

Dave is a retired Air Force officer, teacher, logistics analyst, woodworker, remodeler, and niche e-business developer. A grandfather and lover of the outdoors, Dave lives in Nashville, TN. Take a break and enjoy your porch!

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.