Here are the top 5 popular outdoor flooring products and how to determine when to replace them.
We love our great outdoors here in beautiful British Columbia, and our decks, patios, or rooftop terraces are popular gathering places. Regular maintenance can extend the life of your deck, but over time the wear and tear of use, weather, or simply the changes in design trends make it necessary to refresh or replace it. In most cases, replacing the whole deck is unnecessary and it’s often more cost-effective to replace, or in some cases simply cover, your outdoor flooring.
Assessing the structural integrity of your deck and underlying flooring surface is an essential first step to ensure a solid surface for new deck tiles. Membrane deck surfaces need to be checked for tears, leaks or underlying rot. If a membrane needs fixing, often a roofer can repair or replace it with a torch-on solution. Concrete slab deck surfaces should be checked for cracks and treated as well. To determine what type of deck you have and what outdoor flooring is right for you, check out our 7 Expert Tips.
1. When to replace wood outdoor flooring
Deck flooring made from domestic wood is a beautiful and somewhat durable surface if a high-quality product is used and maintained well. Typical wood planks can last about 10-15 years, but over time, wood surfaces are prone to moisture, stains and moving objects, causing warping, cupping, and dents that can result in soft or spongy areas or splintering.
Replacing your outdoor flooring with new certified exotic Ipe wood products is a good choice. Ipe premium exotic hardwood deck tiles are the highest quality variety of wood products available, designed for durability, versatility and style. Before deciding to use another wood product, check out the pros and cons of the top three outdoor flooring products for your deck, patio, or terrace.
2. When to replace vinyl outdoor flooring
Vinyl membrane flooring material is a popular deck flooring treatment. Depending on the thickness used, how well it was installed, how much direct sun it receives, and the slope of your deck, it can last for many years. Soiling from barbeques, tree sap or other chemicals can break down the vinyl faster, creating soft spots that start to crack, split or tear. Strong sun exposure and overall weathering eventually results in a brittle surface, and furniture can also catch and tear in places. Seals around railing posts or other fastened structures may leak, allowing moisture underneath, resulting in bubbling over soft spots indicating rot.
Consider replacing worn vinyl with a fresh torch-on or liquid membrane over the plywood base and finish with structural porcelain tiles. Raising the tiles on pedestals opens options to add electrical or plumbing underneath for lighting or an enhanced outdoor kitchen area. Pedestals can be adjusted to level out the finished deck surface, allowing rain and debris to drain off the sloped surface underneath.
3. When to replace concrete pavers
Concrete pavers are the most commonly used for outdoor patios and condo balconies with a membrane deck surface. While somewhat practical and low-cost, they are heavy, susceptible to moisture and stain damage, and unsightly. When the pavers crack, break, or retain permanent stains, replacing a single paver is difficult and the new piece won’t colour match as the other pavers have aged it will always stick out from the others.
Replacing concrete slabs any time is an investment in style, comfort, and enjoyment. Porcelain paver tiles are lighter, yet far stronger and more durable, making them perfect for both residential and commercial applications. By replacing concrete slabs with structural porcelain tiles, more than half the previous weight is removed from the supporting structure. They come in a wide range of finishes to suit every project.
4. When to replace composite outdoor flooring
Composite tiles are a hybrid of recycled wood and plastic. The quality of these tiles can vary greatly; overall thickness and type of plastic and wood used in their production. Lower quality tiles have a shorter lifespan, becoming brittle and warping or fading more quickly. Watch for cracking, splitting, lifting or breaking away from the tile base.
Replace them with premium interlocking composite deck tiles that won’t crack or warp, are impervious to moisture and resist most stains and chemicals. They come in a variety of modern or classic colours with a wood grain pattern.
5. When to replace ceramic or natural stone outdoor flooring
Though attractive and versatile initially, all grouted ceramic or natural stone tile is susceptible to water, temperature, and heavy objects causing damage such as chips, cracks, and splitting, resulting in the tiles lifting and coming loose. This type of damage always warrants replacing, affecting the underlying deck surface causing mould build-up and rot. Ceramic tile and some porcelain tiles are also prone to wear spots, staining and fading over time.
Replace these with higher-quality porcelain pavers that can be raised on pedestals to add lighting and plumbing or simply laid right over top of the existing surface. Structural porcelain pavers are engineered to be water-proof, nearly unbreakable, slip-resistant and fade-proof while offering a wide variety of styles and designs.
The solution: choosing the right outdoor flooring company and products for your needs
When it comes time to replace your outdoor flooring, choose a full-service professional company for your installation. BC Outdoor Flooring has been serving satisfied customers for many years. We can help you with design concepts and offer you the best options for durability and style for your needs. We use only top-quality, weather-tested materials and back our finished products with a strong warranty. Most outdoor flooring installations can be completed in one or two days. Visit our Portfolio for more project examples.
Professional service and installation by an outdoor flooring specialist always makes a difference in the quality of materials, warranty, and overall finished surface. Visit our 7 Expert Tips page.
Contact us for more information or to start your free consultation today!
Trust BC’s outdoor flooring specialists to transform your next deck, patio, or terrace flooring project.
