What can I do to keep bugs & pesky critters from coming through the tile joints on my screened in DekTek Tile porch?

The reason many homeowners build screened in decks or 3 season porches is so they can enjoy the outdoors without mother nature's little critters getting too close. When installing your DekTek Tile deck, you can easily prevent the pesky critters, insects, and bugs from invading your three-season porch or screened in deck if you install a screen underneath the deck at the bottom of the joists during the building process.

Another simple solution for keeping out those unwanted creatures would be to grout the tile. (This is only recommended on indoor or covered areas that do not get much water, or if your deck is pitched enough to drain.)  If your deck is exposed to the elements and water needs to drain through the tile, then you would not want to grout the tile.  If grouting the tile does work for your application, you need to use a flexible grout like silicone or acrylic.  DO NOT USE CEMENTITIOUS GROUT because the flexing of the wood deck will crack the grout. 

For questions or information about DekTek Tile decks, please contact us:

Phone: 218-380-9330

Website: dektektile.com

Email: info@dektektile.com

Can DekTek Tiles Be Installed Over Your Existing Deck?

We hear many customers ask, can DekTek Tiles go over my existing deck? So in today's post we would like to shed some light on this question.

Yes! DekTek Tiles can be installed over your existing deck but there are a few stipulations that your old deck must meet first.

• Your existing deck must be in good enough shape to install DekTek Tiles over them. If you have a rotting old deck where the wood deck boards are about to give way, it would not work to lay DekTek Tile over your existing deck. DekTek Tiles weight 11 pounds per square foot so your existing deck needs to be in good enough shape to hold that and would also need to be framed for 11 pounds per square foot. As you see in the photo above. This North Oaks, Minnesota wood deck was an existing green treated 2” x 6” decking that was structurally sound, so in some situations like this one you can install DekTek Tiles right over your existing deck.
• In order to be able to install DekTek Tiles right over your old decking material, height constraints must not be an issue. DekTek Tiles are 1" thick (same thickness as standard decking materials), but if you are wanting to set these concrete tiles over your existing deck, you will need 1-1/2" thick minimum which takes into account DekTek Tiles are slightly crowned in the center of the tiles so the water will drain properly, plus accounts for shimming the tiles up.
• On this particular application above, they are in an enclosed three season porch that is screened in so very rarely will the water come in. This type of situation is best when installing DekTek's Tiles over your existing deck, as it ensures there will not be any water issues. Especially in states like Minnesota where they get the full range of weather conditions with rain and snow, it is important that the water be able to drain all the way through your deck. With this being said, we recommend the concrete deck tiles be shimmed up 1/16" to 1/4" to allow the water to drain through your existing deck better.
• For decks that are not covered, we feel the best installation process is to remove the existing decking because water could get trapped between existing deck boards and the concrete tile. This being said, ultimately it is up to you and your contractor to make that final decision. If you do wish to proceed installing DekTek Tiles over your existing deck that is not covered and exposed to all of the elements, it may work better to remove a few of your deck boards to maximize the water drainage.  
• On any installation of DekTek Tiles over existing decking, the edge of the tiles must be set directly over the existing joist. The only exception is if the existing decking is 2" thick, in which case they do not have to be set a specific way.

For further questions regarding DekTek Tiles being installed over your existing old deck, contact 218-380-9330 or email info@dektektile.com. Visit the DekTek Tile website for pictures and more information about the different applications DekTek Tiles can create outdoor elegance on.

Welcome to the DekTek Tile Blog! 

DekTek Tile is the new, elegant, and innovative precast concrete decking material that is transforming the decking industry. DekTek Tiles are a beautiful alternative decking product especially designed for elevated decks and roof decks, but will also add class and elegance to all of your outdoor living areas.

DekTek Tile's high strength concrete pavers are engineered to span across 16" o.c. wood joists and can be used on most standard wood-framed raised decks, with only minor modifications. Unlike any other deck paver on the market, DekTek concrete tiles do not need any substrates or substantial reinforcement when building your deck.

DekTek’s custom poured 1” thick concrete deck tiles are designed to be the same thickness as standard decking products so they can be used in conjunction with wood or composite decking materials for accents, borders, or edge trims.

Here are more of the benefits DekTek Tile offers:

• No worries about fading.  Unlike wood & composite decking, your tiles will keep their beautiful look. 
• Designed to be more durable & weather resistant than standard decking materials.
• Low maintenance, spend your time enjoying your deck without the hassles of mold, rotting wood, chipping & peeling and that constant upkeep of cleaning, scrubbing, staining, and sealing your deck.
• Heavy duty framing is not necessary.  Most standard framing is sufficient with only minor modifications. 
• Non-combustible decking material.
• A vibrant, upscale alternative to standard decking materials.
• Easy to install when building or remodeling your beautiful outdoor living space.
• Makes beautiful accent decks.  With DekTek tiles the same thickness as standard wood & composite decking, new additions are simple.
• Adds a classy upscale feel, bringing a warm indoor elegance to your outdoor living spaces:  decks, balconies, roof-decks, patios, kitchens, concrete slabs, three season porches, fire-pits, and ground pavers.

Call 218-380-9330 or visit http://dektektile.com for more information or to learn how to create your own outdoor elegance!