Penthouse terrace: from sub-par to spectacular

When the owners of a downtown Vancouver condo moved in, the spacious terrace was less than impressive. It was covered with aging, uneven, stained construction-grade cement pavers with nowhere to hide cords and hoses for amenities, unsightly drainage grates, and moss and algae build-up.

In addition to the inherited hot tub, renovation plans included the installation of an outdoor kitchen, container gardens and tree planters, a fire pit, and a barbecue. They now needed a custom deck tile solution that would be elegant but low-maintenance, strong enough to support the new furniture and amenities, and hide the plumbing and electrical while allowing for proper drainage. Just as importantly, they needed a company with experience and a reputation for delivering quality service and craftsmanship, as well as working with stratas.

Creating an outdoor oasis

When the call came to BC Outdoor Flooring, they responded with their standard professional service of an in-home consultation, including on-site sample viewing. This offered the busy homeowners the flexibility and convenience they needed, saving them several planning steps by clearly understanding their vision, drafting a working plan on the spot, and finalizing decisions about the materials as they stood on the deck itself. The owners were so pleased with the efficiency and reputation of the BCOF team they decided to look no further. The team then got to work finalizing the design plan to replace the heavy concrete slabs with a raised floor of lighter weight, high-quality structural porcelain pavers on pedestal supports.

The project was completed in 2’×4′ Italian porcelain pavers in Timeline grey. Engineered to be thinner and lighter than typical concrete deck tiles, structural porcelain pavers provide superior load-bearing capacity and are water-proof, slip-resistant and fade-proof while offering a wide variety of styles and designs. By utilizing pedestals, the floor was adjusted to the desired height, and no grout was required, giving the finished surface an elegant, clean appearance. The cavity below accommodated plumbing and electrical for the hot tub and outdoor kitchen while allowing any water and debris to drain away.

Trust the experts

Not all deck tiles are suitable for all condo balconies, patios, or rooftop terrace surfaces. Your deck structure and surface material will determine the outdoor flooring you should choose. As an outdoor flooring installation specialist, BC Outdoor Flooring has experience with all types of decks, balconies and patios. We are a full-service professional company with our own specialized equipment.

We will help you with design concepts and offer you the best flooring options for durability and style to suit your needs. We use only top-quality, weather-tested materials and back our finished products with a strong warranty. We provide each client with a clear estimate and stick to it. We have experience working with homeowners, strata corps, and management companies (including their architects and designers). Most outdoor flooring installations can be completed in one or two days. Visit our Portfolio for 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.

The post Vancouver rooftop terrace becomes year-round oasis appeared first on BC Outdoor Flooring - Vancouver - Deck, Patio and Terrace Outdoor Flooring & Tiles.

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.

The post 5 Signs it’s time to replace your deck or patio flooring appeared first on BC Outdoor Flooring - Vancouver - Deck, Patio and Terrace Outdoor Flooring & Tiles.

The Wellesley, a seniors residence in Victoria, British Columbia, managed by Pacific Reach Properties, needed new outdoor flooring for their sixth-floor rooftop terrace. Time and weather had taken a toll on the old cement pavers, so they called BC’s outdoor flooring installation specialists to help them transform the space.   

The project

This commercial-sized project required over 5,000 square feet of new flooring, so the quality of materials and professional installation were critical. Working with multiple stakeholders, including an architect and the management company, the BC Outdoor Flooring team provided expert guidance, samples, and pricing for the project.  

Quality materials

Structural porcelain pedestal pavers were strategically chosen for the terrace project as porcelain pavers are thinner, lighter, and stronger than traditional cement pavers, reducing the roof’s overall load. Porcelain deck tiles are uniquely engineered to withstand the heavy use that this rooftop terrace would need to support: pergolas, patio furniture, garden boxes and planters, and the residents themselves. The pedestals were used to raise the pavers off the roof surface, allowing for proper drainage, recessed electrical and plumbing, and allow the levelling or sloping of the pavers as needed.  

Fully equipped

Once the contract plans were finalized, the project timeline was established for completion in the winter of 2020. The team then prepared to transport their equipment and supplies from their Vancouver base to the Victoria location. 

Onsite, the team implemented a crane to hoist tools and the chosen structural pedestal pavers: 24” x 48” / 60cm x 120cm tiles from del Conca in Timeline Grey, up onto the rooftop. As installation specialists, BC Outdoor Flooring is a fully equipped company with everything needed to meet every job requirement. Being a full-service company saves on project costs and possible delays coordinating with outside companies, protects access areas from undue damage, and protects the clients from unnecessary nuisance. 

Challenges

The project was not without its challenges. A winter storm blew off a railing and interrupted work just after start-up, temporarily delaying progress due to safety policies. The existing wheelchair access ramp needed special fitting to connect the two levels seamlessly. 

Throughout the project and its challenges, the BC Outdoor Flooring team maintained their standard of attention to detail and worked diligently to collaborate with the residence management, the property management firm, and roofing repair crews to complete the contract to everyone’s satisfaction.

Professional services

For the most successful installation of outdoor flooring on a deck, patio or rooftop terrace project of any size, choose a specialist with a proven track record. BC Outdoor Flooring offers you the highest level of experience and professional services in the industry.  Fully equipped, able to coordinate with multiple stakeholders and solve any challenges along the way, we have your project covered from beginning to end.

Professional service and installation always make 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.   

The post Outdoor flooring transformation for rooftop terrace in Victoria, BC appeared first on BC Outdoor Flooring - Vancouver - Deck, Patio and Terrace Outdoor Flooring & Tiles.