What Are Deck Tiles? 5 Things You Should Know

Are you looking for a low-maintenance flooring option for your porch or backyard? Deck tiles may be just what you need.

Deck tiles are made of durable materials that make them ideal for outdoor use. Installing deck tiles is relatively easy, especially if you opt for interlocking deck tiles that don’t require adhesives or technical expertise to install.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about deck tiles, including how to install and maintain them.

Contents

1 What You Need To Know About Deck Tiles
2 Uses of Deck Tiles
3 How Many Deck Tiles Do I Need?
4 Are Interlocking Deck Tiles Good?
5 How To Care for Deck Tiles
6 Conclusion

What You Need To Know About Deck Tiles

Deck tiles are specifically made for outdoor use. They differ from regular tiles because they’re not installed with adhesives. The installation process mainly involves securing each tile by interlocking or screwing it to the next.

The following materials are commonly used to make deck tiles:

Wood
Plastic (sometimes recycled)
Bamboo
Porcelain
Rubber

Deck tiles are available in various colors and designs, including artificial grass-covered ones. They are also versatile, allowing you to create different decorative patterns.

Here are additional quick facts about deck tiles:

They can be installed on uneven ground.
Unlike regular tiles, you can install them over bare ground and grass (and other floor types).
They are semi-permanent and can quickly be uninstalled.
Grouting isn’t required.
They have visible seams.
They’re resistant to most outdoor elements, such as water and UV light.

The most common deck tile types are:

Interlocking deck tiles
Porcelain deck tiles
Concrete deck tiles
Composite deck tiles (made from recycled material)

Uses of Deck Tiles

The most common use for deck tiles is outdoor flooring for decks, patios, and porches. However, you can also use them for indoor flooring and other surfaces. In addition to making a space more aesthetically appealing, deck tiles also have practical uses.

Some practical uses of deck tiles include the following:

Covering damaged floors
Improving stability
Reducing ground maintenance (especially when bare ground or grass is covered)
Hiding utility access points for water and electricity

Besides using deck tiles for outdoor flooring, here are some other creative ways to incorporate them into your home:

Decorate your balcony floors
Put them around your pool
Install them on your child’s playhouse floor
Use them for your indoor floors
Install them on your sunroom floors (this works well if you have installed deck tiles on your deck floors)

How Many Deck Tiles Do I Need?

You’ll need to calculate the surface area of your floor and one deck tile when determining the number of deck tiles required.

To know how many deck tiles you need, measure your working area’s length and width. Multiply these to find the total area to be covered. Then, measure the length and width of one of the deck tiles, and multiply them to get the area. Divide the area of your space by the area of one tile.

But how do you calculate the number of tiles needed for an irregularly shaped space?

First, divide the space into either of the following regular shapes (depending on which one is easiest):

Squares
Rectangles
Triangles
Circle

Then, calculate the area using the following formulas:

Rectangles and Squares: Length multiplied by the width (L x W).
Triangles: Half base multiplied by the vertical height (1/2 B x H).
Circles: Pi (3.142) multiplied by the square of the radius (3.142 x r²)

You may need to divide your space into several shapes before finding the total area. Then, divide the number by the area of one tile. Here’s an example for clarity:

Space Area = 100 square feet (9.29 square meters)

Area of One Deck Tile = 1 square foot (0.092 square meters)

Using the formula, space area divided by the area of one deck tile, you’ll need 100 deck tiles. If you want to know how many boxes of deck tiles you’ll need, divide the number of tiles needed by the number in each box.

You may find that some deck tiles don’t fit perfectly along the edges, so you will have to cut them to fit.

Are Interlocking Deck Tiles Good?

Interlocking deck tiles are fast and easy to install. Their installation doesn’t require expertise and can be customized into various patterns. They’re also quite sturdy and don’t easily come apart.

Here are the top reasons why you should consider getting interlocking deck tiles:

Ease of installation: Because you can quickly install them without the help of a professional, you don’t have to spend extra costs. You can also do it as a fun family project.
Few tools are required during installation: For the most part, installing these deck tiles involves interlocking them. You will only need a cutting tool to cut edge tiles to fit and a ground leveling tool that flattens the ground.
Ease of removal: They are also easy to detach during removal and don’t leave damage. This makes them perfect for a temporary installation such as an event.
Relatively cheaper: Interlocking deck tiles are cheaper than other outdoor flooring options. Some manufacturers offer a warranty with their products, ensuring you get value for money.
Durable: These deck tiles can be reused severally before wearing them out. If you move houses often, you can move with them and install them in each new home.
They don’t require additional work: After preparing the ground and interlocking the deck tiles, you don’t need extra work like grouting or staining them.
Low maintenance: Caring for interlocking deck tiles is relatively easy because they resist most environmental elements.

How To Care for Deck Tiles

Caring for deck tiles is relatively simple. Here’s what you need to know:

Use a leaf blower to easily remove leaves and dirt from the surface of the tiles. Alternatively, you could sweep them off with a broom or brush.
Add dish soap or mild deck tile detergent to a mop bucket and mix with water. This will help to eliminate tougher stains.
You can clean stubborn mold stains with a mold remover.
Recoat with a decking coat at least once every two years, although this will depend on the foot traffic they’re subjected to.

You may also use a power washer for a thorough cleaning. After cleaning, it is vital to let the deck tiles dry thoroughly. This prevents mold and mildew growth.