How to Resurface a Concrete Patio with HandyDeck Patio Deck Tiles

That drab concrete patio is often the last thing to think about in any home improvement project. It’s such a daunting job to replace cracked concrete or outdated pavers and the thought of bringing in noisy jack-hammers, digging the lot up and carting it away can be enough to give you nightmares! And then you still need to think about what to replace it with.

Maybe you've always yearned for a solid wood deck, but the high cost of custom built deck has been a concern. And in many cases if you're building a conventional wood deck over top of an existing patio, the new deck will be 4" or so higher than your current patio...which can be a real problem with outward opening doors.

Fortunately there's another solution for resurfacing concrete patios. With HandyDeck patio deck tiles you simply snap the individual tiles directly into place over the top of the existing surface - no special surface preparation normally required.

You don't need any special skills... or special tools...not even nails, screws or glues. Just measure the area you want to cover, calculate how many tiles you'll need and you're ready to go. Everything you need to cover your patio deck with a new solid wood surface is right inside in each box of tiles.

Provided the concrete isn't excessively cracked, you can lay the tiles directly on top of the existing surface without any surface preparation apart from brushing away any loose dirt etc. Small cracks are generally no problem, but if you have larger cracks where there is a height discontinuity of more than about 3/16”, then you may need to patch the cracks or level the surface with a layer of thinset or other suitable patching compound. If possible, tile joins should not lie directly over and parallel to any cracks.

If you've got pipes or other obstacles on the patio, that's no real problem as you can easily cut the tiles to shape with a handsaw or jigsaw. And for the outer edge of the patio deck, reducer strips are available which just snap onto the outer row of tiles to give a professional finishing touch and reduce the chance of tripping on the outer row of tiles.

In no time all, your old concrete patio can be totally transformed, for year after year of enjoyment.

New Life for Old Porches or Verandas

Your front porch is normally the first part of a home that visitors see, so you want it to appear friendly and welcoming, suggesting a sense of fun... not appearing as a closed face, shut off from the world. But all too often, the front porrch sits tired and neglected.

Maybe you have a wooden porch whose glory days are well gone.... with boards decayed or cracked with age. Or maybe you have an old concrete porch that just looks dull and lifeless... certainly not offering the warm welcoming appearance you would like.

One of the simplest solutions is to lay HandyDeck decking tiles right over the top of the existing porch surface. As long as the individual wood boards are structurally sound, you can simply lay the interlocking tiles directly over the lot. Just click the tiles into place and in no time at all, you'll have brand new, solid wood porch floor. And for a neat, professional finish to the outside edges, reducer strips are available which just clip onto the outer row of tiles.

Since HandyDeck Decking Tiles are available in different styles and colors, you can design an individual front porch design to suit your personal taste. You could for example run a border around the outside of the porch or maybe make a special feature in front of the main entrance. And if you eventually get tired of one design, that's no problem.....just lift up the tiles, move them around and put them down again in another pattern.

If its a concrete porch rather than a wood porch you want to cover, its an even easier task and the results can be even more dramatic. Once again it's just a simple matter of just clicking the tiles into place over the existing concrete base.

Best of all, there's no need for any tedious surface preparation. In fact you can cover a typical porch or veranda in just an hour or so... ready for you to use the moment the last tile is snapped into place.

If you need to cut the SwiftDeck or LinkDeck wood tiles to fit around pipes or posts or to fit the tiles snugly against the walls, it's easy to cut them with just a normal handsaw or jigsaw. If it's a complex shape you need to fit, making a template first of stiff card can make the task of cutting exactly the right size and shape a lot easier.
 

Balcony Decks

The problem in remodelling balconies is that they can often be too small to justify the fuss and expense of hiring a team of tradespersons to lay ceramic or other conventional deck tiles for condos or high rise apartments, in most cases. But on the other hand, a balcony can look so drab and dreary if left neglected and unloved. And that's where Handydeck's Decking Tiles can be such a useful option.

All you need to do is to lay the convenient interlocking pavers directly over the existing concrete surface. And if you have a tiled surface you no longer like, just lay HandyDeck tiles straight over the top of the old tiles.

One of the big bonuses is that there's no tedious surface preparation required... just give the balcony a good sweep with a broom. Then simply snap the tiles into position...it literally only takes minutes to cover an entire balcony. The interlocking tabs on each side of the tile hold them securely in place so they wont fall off the balcony or blow away in normal wind gusts. In hurricane prone areas of course, some extra precautions may be necessary. But even if you're worried about hurricanes, you can always take up the tiles and lay them down again after the danger has passed.

As HandyDeck decking tiles come in several different patterns and styles, you can create your own balcony design to suit your individual preference. And if you need to fit the tiles around pipes, posts or other objects, SwiftDeck or LinkDeck wood tiles can easily be cut with just a normal handsaw or jigsaw.

To add a bit more interest on your balcony, you could consider leaving out a few tiles and filling the gaps with some large polished river pebbles, crushed brick or pine bark nuggets. Take a trip to your local garden center and select a few established potted plants, bamboo or ferns or other greenery and you'll quickly have a balcony that's a real delight. But make sure you don't add too many items to the balcony or too many different objects as a small balcony can soon look cluttered. Just remember in this case, less is best.

And as for maintenance, just a sweep with a broom every so often to remove dirt or maybe a wash with water is all that's required. The only other recommendation with SwiftDeck and LinkDeck Decking Tiles is to coat the tiles with a good quality decking oil/sealer every 6-12 months. This helps preserve the initial wood color as long as possible. If left untreated, the tiles will gradually fade to a soft silvery grey.

Building Roof Decks with HandyDeck Decking Tiles

The flat area on many apartment or condo rooftops offers great opportunities for conversion into relaxing or entertaining areas. Unfortunately far too many rooftops are left with either a drab grey concrete surface, or a black asphalt or other waterproof covering. Fortunately, building a roof deck that's attractive, functional and affordable is now much easier than ever - thanks to HandyDeck Decking Tiles.

There are just a couple of points you need to consider. Firstly, any objects placed on rooftops need to be fixed securely so that they won't blow away in strong winds. Secondly if there's a waterproof membrane on the rooftop, then care needs to be taken when building your roof deck that the membrane is not pierced or damaged in any way. A lot of building owners restrict any sort of building products being placed on the roof, so you need to check with your apartment owner to see if any regulations apply. In some areas, local regulations may also govern what type of structures or objects can be placed on rooftops.

With the interlocking deck tiles however each tile has multiple plastic “feet” on the plastic base which distribute any load evenly over the surface below. Nevertheless some building owners may still have concerns about membrane penetration or damage. We suggest laying down an EPDM sheet which costs from about 80c per sq.ft. and comes in continuous sheeting as large as 50' x 100'. You can buy EPDM in different widths with lengths up to 50' wide from specialist suppliers such as Best Materials or Resource Conservation Technology who can also custom fabricate a single sheet to avoid seams. They can also supply a complete system that includes all required adhesives, sealants etc. .

As the deck tiles come in several different styles, you can create borders, centerpieces, feature areas etc. to suit your individual preference. When building your roof deck you could also perhaps make up different designs so the rooftop is divided into different sections depending on how you plan to use the rooftop. In fact dividing the area into "rooms" can make the rooftop deck much more interesting You could liven up your roof deck with, for example, a row of tubs with bushy plants, some trellis, modular fencing etc. With a few large pots, attractive plants, and perhaps a few favorite pieces of sculpture sited in strategic spots, that forlorn and underused rooftop can quickly and easily become an attractive and useful relaxing an entertaining area with beautiful, sold wood rooftop deck.

Do-it-yourself Repairs for Weather Worn Wood Decks

Many wood deck owners are faced with the problem of what to do when the deck begins to deteriorate after years of use and begins to look rather shabby. Until recently, the only realistic option would be to rip up the entire wood deck surface and replace it with new wood decking. Unless you are a DIY enthusiast, this means obtaining quotes from contractors, checking their references, waiting until they have time to begin the job, and then putting up with the disruption whilst the job is completed. And generally this becomes a rather expensive option.

Perhaps the easiest and most cost effective solution if the deck is in sound structural condition, is to cover the existing surface with HandyDeck's outdoor Decking Tiles. Not only can you carry out the job yourself... in just an hour or so depending on the size and shape of your deck, but you'll have a solid wood surface that looks every bit as good as your original deck.

Another advantage of using SwiftDeck or LinkDeck wood outdoor tiles is that you won't see any nail holes or screw holes, since the wooden slats are fixed from the bottom of the tile rather than the top. Also, if you have an upper deck with room underneath for storage, garage or whatever, you can easily make the upper deck surface waterproof so you have a dry area underneath. You just need to firstly lay down an EPDM sheet over your old deck surface. You can buy EPDM in different widths with lengths up to 50' wide from specialist suppliers such as Best Materials or Resource Conservation Technology who can also custom fabricate a single sheet to avoid seams. They can also supply a complete system that includes all required adhesives, sealants etc. Then you lay the tiles directly over the top of the EPDM sheeting. Again its a simple task almost anyone can do themselves.

Note that these modular outdoor tiles are not designed for use on stairs, so if your steps or stairs are showing signs of decay and becoming dangerous, you'll need to replace the treads with the same or similar lumber as originally used on your stairs.

All our SwiftDeck or LinkDeck wood outdoor tiles are pre-treated with a decking oil to give some extra protection from the sun and rain for the first few months. However if you want to keep the attractive wood colour as long as possible, you'll need to recoat the tiles at regular intervals - six to 12 months depending on your local climatic conditions. If you don't wish to recoat the tiles on a regular basis, they will gradually fade to a silvery grey colour, just the same as any other wood deck will do.

How to Solve Dampness Problems in Basement Flooring

A common problem in many homes is a damp basement floor.... water creeping into the basement floor and causing musty smells, mold, rusting of metal tools, rotting and disintegrating cardboard boxes etc. Unfortunately, making basement floors completely waterproof is big task and normally a specialist job... and can be quite expensive if a complete fix is required. And in many cases it's really hard to justify the expense.

However with HandyDeck Decking Tiles you can avoid a complete basement waterproofing routine... and still keep stored objects high and dry and free of ground contact.

You simply lay HandyDeck interlocking wood, granite or porcelain tiles over the existing surface for an instant basement flooring solution. Its quick, easy and the whole job can be finished in just an hour or so.

The open mesh base on the tiles allows any water to drain away freely and easily under the tiles. Excellent air circulation is maintained due to the open mesh base, minimizing the risk of mold growth. And the attractive wood or stone surface offers a strong, dry and stable support for storage of boxes etc.

Since HandyDeck tiles come in a range of different styles and colors, you could make a border with one style around the edge of the basement floor or perhaps create an attractive centerpiece with a mixture of other styles. If you get tired of of your first basement flooring design, just lift up the tiles and lay them down in a different design.

Above Ground Pool Decks

A very common problem faced by above ground pool owners is finding a suitable surfacing material to put around the outside of the pool. Not only do you need something that will survive the activities of boisterous kids and avoid dirt and grass from being carried into the pool, but something that will continue looking great all year long - winter as well as summer. And of course it needs to be affordable and ideally you want a product that can be easily modified or added to with changing circumstances. So what are the options?

Custom made wood decks certainly look great, but they also tend to be very expensive. You don't want deck where the cost is totally out of proportion to the cost of the pool. And normally custom made decks don't offer much flexibility to either change the size of the deck, the shape or its design once they are built.

One low cost option is to use soft surfacing materials such as plastic interlocking pavers or synthetic grass.

But perhaps the most versatile, cost effective and attractive option is to use SwiftDeck or LinkDeck wood Decking Tiles. To build an above ground pool deck with SwiftDeck or LinkDeck, you need nothing more than a hard, well compacted surface around the pool. Ideally a base material such as pea gravel should be used, but it's certainly possible to lay the tiles on bare earth. In this case however, you will need to make sure the surface is level (not bumpy) and then lay down a weed control barrier under the tilest. For the outer edge of the deck, reducers (transition strips) are available which simply clip to the outer row of tiles to provide a sloping transition to the ground underneath.

Since most above ground pools have curved shape you'll probably want to fit the tiles to the shape of the pool. Fortunately it's easy to cut SwiftDeck or LinkDeck tiles to the shape of the pool wall with just a handsaw or jigsaw. To make the job easier and avoid mistakes in cutting, we suggest making a template from a piece of stiff cardboard.

Perhaps one of the major benefits of SwiftDeckor LinkDeck Decking Tiles is that you can change the shape or size of the deck at any time by simply adding more tiles. And you can even pack up the entire deck and put it away until next summer if you like. If you enjoy a lot of relaxing or entertaining around your pool, your SwiftDeck above ground pool deck provides an attractive, stable base for your favourite outdoor furniture setting.

The versatility of Handydeck's interlocking wood deck tiles undoubtedly makes them a great option to consider for above ground pool decks... and you can be sure they'll continue looking good, day in day out, year after year.

Resurfacing Pathways and Walkways

HandyDeck Decking Tiles are an ideal way to resurface an existing concrete pathway or walkway. If you've got an old, cracked concrete pathway and don't want the hassle of ripping it up and re-laying, just cover the surface with our wood or stone tiles for an instant transformation. And if you're laying our SwiftDeck or LinkDeck wood tiles, matching reducer strips are available which clip on the outer row of tiles to provide a neat finish to the outside of the walkway.

The only particular requirement is that the base needs to be a firm, even surface such as concrete, bricks, pavers or asphalt. It's certainly possible to lay the tiles over gravel, crushed stones etc. but fine sand can potentially pose a problem as the "feet" on the plastic base may press into the sand and result in an uneven tile surface. 

It's also possible to lay HandyDeck Decking Tiles on firm, dry soil although this is not particularly recommended unless the surface is smooth (not bumpy), well compacted and a weed suppression mat or other geotextile fabric is laid down under the tiles first.

Of course you don't have to lay a continuous row of tiles. You could simply lay them as "stepping stones" surrounded by compacted gravel for example. Just make sure the gravel surrounds the tiles well so the plastic tabs on the sides of the tiles are hidden and to prevent them from sliding when walked on.

Spa and Hot Tub Decks and Sauna Floors

Perhaps one the simplest and most effective ways of building a deck around a spa or hot tub is to cover the surrounding area with HandyDeck Decking Tiles. With these convenient tiles you can extend the deck any direction you want, as far as you want and at any time you want. And if your spa or hot tub isn't a perfect square or rectangle, you can easily cut our SwiftDeck or LinkDeck wood tiles with a handsaw of jigsaw so they fit flush against the wall of the tub or spa.

Since HandyDeck tiles are available in different styles, materials and colors, you can design your own deck to suit your particular surroundings. To finish of the edges of the deck, reducers are available in our SwiftDeck or LinkDeck ranges that can be clipped to the outside edge to give a totally professional finish. For stand alone spa decks, you could completely surround the deck with reducers using the special mitred reducers for the outside corners.

All tiles in the HandyDeck range of interlocking Decking Tiles will stand up to the harshest climates, the constant splash of water from spas or hot tubs and will keep looking great, day in day out, year after year. With SwiftDeck or LinkDeck tiles however, we recommend applying a coat of good quality decking oil every 6 to 12 months to keep them looking at their optimum condition and to slow down the natural graying process, . Otherwise a brush with broom or wash with water every so often is all that's required to keep the tiles in their optimum condition year after year.

Backyard Decks

If you're building a backyard deck, you generally want to ensure it is well integrated with the rest of the house and the surrounding landscape. So building a custom deck can sometimes be a worry as you don't really know what it will look like until it's finished.

And that's one good reason why SwiftDeck interlocking Decking Tiles can be such an attractive alternative for garden decking.  You can extend your deck in any direction you like, as far as you like and any time you like. If you decide it doesn't quite suit the area as you envisaged, just take it up and lay it down elsewhere. And if you need to fit around posts or poles, the tiles can easily be cut with just a jigsaw or handsaw.

There's just a few points to keep in mind.   Firstly, if you're planning on laying the tiles directly on bare ground, the surface should be even (not bumpy) and well compacted.  Ideally the tiles should be laid on a layer of well compacted gravel in they are not being installed over a concrete slab. And if you're laying them directly on the ground, you'll also need to scrape off any grass or vegetation and place a weed control mat under the tiles first.

Since the SwiftDeck range consists of two distinct styles plus a double length tile, you can easily create an attractive border or design a special  central feature. To finish of the edges of the deck, clip on reducers are available which snap onto the outside edge of the tiles to give a totally professional finish.

And there's no need to worry about harsh weather affecting the tiles. SwiftDeck Decking Tiles use the incredibly hard and durable Ipe wood so they'll stand up to the harshest climates...blazing hot sun, pouring rains and mountains of snow, and will keep looking great day after day, year after year.

To keep the tiles looking at their optimum condition and to slow down the natural graying process, we always recommend applying a coat of good quality decking oil every 6 to 12 months. Other than that,  a brush with a broom or quick wash with water every once in a while is all that's required to keep your backyard deck looking great year after year.

How to Make an Upper Wood Deck Waterproof Underneath

A very common situation we are asked about, is how to make a raised or upper deck waterproof so that the area under the deck can be more usefully used for storage space, or as an entertaining area. Fortunately with HandyDeck Decking Tiles, there's quite a simple solution.

Firstly you lay down continuous waterproof sheeting over the existing wood deck. There's a number of products you could use, but we recommend using EPDM sheeting because it's relatively inexpensive and is available in continuous wide sheets. So it can generally cover your entire deck without requiring any joins or overlaps which could cause water to seep through below. You could also use liquid rubber type products which you apply by a roller or spray. You can buy EPDM in different widths with lengths up to 50' wide from specialist suppliers such as Best Materials or Resource Conservation Technology who can also custom fabricate a single sheet to avoid seams. They can also supply a complete system that includes all required adhesives, sealants etc.

After you've purchased your EPDM sheeting, you just need to cut the sheet to the exact size and shape of your deck, ensuring that it doesn't extend over the edges of the deck. Then you simply lay the interlocking tiles directly on top of the sheeting. To give a professional finish to your deck, you can clip matching reducers to the outside edges of the deck to finish of the tiles and hide the plastic clips on the outer row of tiles.

So, in no time at all and with minimum of effort, you'll have a brand-new upper deck and a waterproof area underneath.

Before and After Pictures

Although the gray stone tiles on this patio were still in good condition, the owners were looking for a warmer, more natural look in keeping with the leafy surroundings.

This wooden balcony deck in Downtown Philadelphia had previously been painted but the owners wanted to revert to a natural wood surface.    

A small outdoor patio area covered with flagstones converted to an attractive wood patio.    

Small covered concrete patio given an uplift with SwiftDeck tiles

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