These Wood Deck Tiles are Absolutely Stunning On Your Patio
Paving the way to a beautiful exterior is something every homeowner aspires to at some point. Whether you have loads of money to spend or are on a limited budget, sprucing up your front and back yard is something worth considering, and a wood deck tiles layout is one step towards achieving that goal.
Today, we’re going to learn more about this specific type of product and look at some of the ones that caught our attention.
Top Picks
Customer’s Choice: Bare Decor EZ-Floor 12″ x 12″ Teak Wood Snap-In Deck Tiles
“It’s so much better under my feet when out in the Patio than outdoor rug. Looks so elegant. Price is so reasonable.” (Customer review)
Best Sustainably-Sourced: Vifah 11.22″ x 11.22″ Wood Interlocking Deck Tile in Tan
Made from eco-friendly acacia hardwood, these snap-in tiles are perfect for DIY enthusiasts.
Most Durable Option 1: Bare Decor EZ-Floor 12″ x 12″ Wood Interlocking Deck Tile
This particular tile option is made from teak and is resistant against the weather’s elements, but also against rot.
Easiest to Install Option 1: Vifah 12″ x 12″ Wood Interlocking Deck Tile
These Vifah wooden tiles have an interlocking system that makes installation and even cutting and sanding the pieces a real breeze.
Easiest to Install Option 2: Tryon 12″ x 12″ Eucalyptus Interlocking Deck Tile
“I was able to put everything together in an hour, which far exceeded my expectations.” (Customer review)
Most Durable Option 2: Zig Zag Square 11.8″ x 11.8″ Teak Wood Interlocking Deck Tile
This is yet another solid choice for those of you looking for a durable wood deck tile, since it’s made from quality teak.
Editor’s Choice: Symple Stuff 11″ x 11″ Wood Interlocking Deck Tile
These Symple Stuff wood deck tiles are designed from eucalyptus and deliver a fast installation experience combined with the quality of pre-treated wood.
How to Choose Wood deck Tiles
It’s perfectly normal to be confused about which decking or deck tiles are the best option in your specific case, so we’ve put together a list of features and tips that you might want to keep in mind before spending money on an actual type of tile:
- Deck tiles are often made from several wooden boards that are typically fixed on two or three crossbars.
- Consider the ease of installation when choosing your tiles. The most common ways to install them include: by placing them directly on the ground (be it grass or concrete) with no fixings required, by screwing them on joists (the recommended installation method for those with damp or uneven surfaces), by laying them on height-adjustable PVC rider pedestals, or by clipping them onto a ready-built surface (take note that this surface has to be stable and flat).
- As far as construction is concerned, wood deck tiles are either made entirely out of natural wood (with the common types of wood including teak, oak, eucalyptus, and pine) or from composite (wood flour and polymer, plus binder).
- Take note that wood desk tiles are now available in a variety of sizes, so if you have to cover a large area, you can purchase larger tiles.
Natural vs. Composite Wood Deck Tiles
You might be wondering which is the best choice for materials: natural or composite wood? As you can imagine, the choice will influence some of the features of the desk, but will also have an impact on its end price. So, let’s talk a little bit about that.
Composite wood is generally made from a combination of wood flour and polymer resins, and it’s available in quite a diverse color option. They offer the advantage of being extremely weather-resistant and can fight off rot as well. Most of the wood deck tiles that you’re going to find are treated with fungicides and insecticides, to prevent them from suffering any fungi or insect damage.
Composite wood doesn’t expand very much because it’s not really affected by temperature changes and, in terms of appearance, looks very much like natural wood. There are multiple shades and finishes to choose from, so you can find composite wood deck tiles in varieties that range from traditional to modern.
Natural wood is generally more expensive, with its own series of advantages and drawbacks. Natural wood can be exotic, such as itauba, jatoba, or teak. The reason why exotic wood can be quite popular is because it’s naturally rot-proof and can very well fend for itself against fungi and insect attacks.
While exotic wood is expensive, you have its European counterpart, which tends to be cheaper, with the exception of chestnut and oak. If you want European wood deck tiles to last, they need to be treated and properly cared for over time. The most common wood options are chestnut, oak, black locust, douglas fir, and pine.
Types of Deck Tiles
Knowing the different existing types of deck tiles can go a long way in helping you determine which style might suit you best. When you’re out shopping for deck tiles, here are the most common categories you’re bound to come across:
Granite deck tiles
These are made from a very durable and hard type of material. It usually has commercial applications because it’s more resistant than slate and can provide anti-slip properties if it has the proper finish. Granite deck tiles are more efficient when sealed, especially if they’re being applied in areas with extreme weather conditions.
Ceramic tiles
Normally, these have a transparent silica sand surface coating, which gives them great anti-slip properties. Compared to granite, they are more efficient in absorbing water, but if you purchase thin tiles, they will require additional care. That means that you should avoid putting heavy-duty iron furniture on them, especially pieces of furniture with unprotected legs.
Wood tiles
Can be made from either natural or manufactured wood. We’ve talked a little more about natural vs. composite wood in the previous section, so make sure you check it out if you want to fully understand the benefits that each type of wood deck tile brings to the table.
Slate tiles
These are made from a material that’s moderately hard and can be used for decorative and practical purposes alike. However, the surface of the material gets easily scratched when in contact with sharp objects. Slate sealer is recommended if you live in areas with extreme weather conditions.
Sandstone tiles
These have anti-slip surfaces too, and they are made from a pretty soft type of stone. If you live in areas where summer temperatures are really high, you might be interested in knowing that sandstone decks are the coolest ones to walk on. With the right sealant, it can also be a stain-resistant surface.
The Best Wood Deck Tiles
EZ-Floor 12″ x 12″ Teak Wood Snap-In Deck Tiles
Made from oiled teak, our first suggestion for today is this dark wood tile option that, water, mildew, and frost-resistant, but also has antimicrobial properties to make sure that your deck lasts for a very long time. Every tile measures 12” L x 12” W, with each purchased box including 10 pieces and 10 square feet each. The mounting system is very simple, as all you have to do is interlock the tiles together and create a following that’s suitable for indoor and outdoor use as well.
Vifah 11.22″ x 11.22″ Wood Interlocking Deck Tile in Tan
Available at a convenient price and with a durable construction, these wood deck tiles are the perfect addition to a home where owners are interested in investing in quality and affordable products. Made from sustainable acacia hardwood, the tiles have a snap-on system that allows you to install them without the need to call in a professional. The tiles are available in sets of 10 pieces each, and can be installed on a variety of different surfaces. They are resistant to everything from termites to rot, mildew, mold, decay, and other potential sources of damage.
EZ-Floor 12″ x 12″ Wood Interlocking Deck Tile
If you like the Bare Decor EZ-Floor 12″ x 12″ Teak Wood Snap-In Deck Tiles but would like to purchase them in a more natural shade, this is the right product for you. It maintains all the qualities that we’ve mentioned in the other product: it is UV, mildew, water, and slip-resistant, it’s made from quality teak, and comes in a pack with 10 pieces of tile, each of them measuring 12” L x 12” W.
Vifah 12″ x 12″ Wood Interlocking Deck Tile
If the Vifah 11.22″ x 11.22″ Wood Interlocking Deck Tile we’ve previously shown you was available in a tan shade, this one has a more natural teak color to it. Aside from the actual shade, this tile stays true to the brand’s qualitative construction, sticking to the benchmarks that made this particular product famous in the first place: it has antimicrobial treatment, it’s weather-resistant, it can be installed an anything from compacted soil to cement flooring, and is made from eucalyptus wood.
Tryon 12″ x 12″ Eucalyptus Interlocking Deck Tile
Our next suggestion is another quality example of wood tile made from eucalyptus wood and available in a beautiful natural color. It is water and mildew-resistant, and it’s easy to style up your yard and brighten up your path or patio as needed. It requires oiling at least once per year, but that shouldn’t be too complicated. The tiles are easy to install due to their interlocking system. There are 10 square feet of material in each box.
Zig Zag Square 11.8″ x 11.8″ Teak Wood Interlocking Deck Tile
Next up, we have some wood deck tiles in an interesting pattern that are bound to attract those of you looking for a more unconventional design. These weather-resistant tiles are made from teak, one of the best wood choices for outdoor furniture because of its natural resistant properties. Even if they aren’t pressure treated, these tiles are warp-resistant and excel in durability, to make each and every one of you feel like you’ve made a solid investment.
Simple Stuff 11″ x 11″ Wood Interlocking Deck Tile
The last suggestion we have reviewed for you today is another wood deck tile made from eucalyptus, designed with plastic feet to ensure airflow underneath the surface. Sourced from controlled forests, the wood used to make these types has been pre-treated, making sure that it can withstand the weather’s elements. Each box you purchase comes with 10 tiles, each of them measuring 11 x 11 inches. The interlocking system makes it really simple to install these, and the interchangeable styles allow you to get really playful with patterns.
Wood Deck Installation Tips
If you’re curious about what it takes to install wood deck tiles by yourself, the following list of tips will surely come in handy for those of you that have never tried to do this before:
- Before you order your tiles, you need to make an estimate of how many you’re going to need. This means that you have to actively measure the surface you want to cover and make note of the number of square feet. A lot of wood deck tiles available on the market measure around 1 square foot, so doing the math should be pretty easy. It’s always a good idea to order a few extras, just in case.
- It’s always best if you purchase interlocking tiles because they are really easy to install. When you’re ready to start placing them, pick a corner and start working from there. Sometimes, you might find yourself in a situation where you have to shift the tiles around to properly connect the edges between then.
- You are likely to come across a situation where you have to cover areas that have an odd shape. That means that you are going to have to cut the tiles to fit. Before you do that, make cardboard cutouts that are the same dimensions as the tiles so you can map out just how you’re going to have to cut them. This will help prevent making cuts that don’t necessarily fit and could otherwise cause you to ruin perfectly good tiles.
- Before you actually start cutting the tiles, you need to make sure there aren’t any screws where you’re about to cut. If you do come across any screws, you will have to move them to another fastening point.
- Jigsaws are great for cutting wood deck tiles, but make sure that you use the required protective equipment, just as glasses and gloves. You might also have to use palm sander to create smooth edges for your freshly-cut tiles.
Wood Deck Tiles FAQ
Are deck tiles worth it?
It really depends on what they’re made of or, better yet, what properties they have.
If you want to invest in deck tiles that are actually worth it, you want to opt for those made from materials that are rot and weather-resistant, that don’t easily scratch, and that provide anti-slip surfaces (for those of you living in areas where winter gets really rough).
How long do deck tiles last?
As you can imagine, it really depends on what the tiles are made from.
For instance, PVC tiles usually have a warranty promising they can last up to 10 years, but they can go way longer than that if they are cared for properly.
Can you tile an outdoor deck?
The good news is that most types of tile are installed in a similar way regardless of whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use.
If you are passionate about DIY, know that you can probably tile your own deck without having to call in a professional.
Wood Deck Tiles: Bottom Line
There’s something about wood deck tiles that makes them suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It’s not just the reliable construction, but also the way wood adds a natural look to your yard’s decor.
Whenever you choose wood deck tiles, make sure that you pay close attention to how resistant that specific type of tile is. If you want to make the best out of this investment, it’s important to choose materials that are weather-resistant, but also those with anti-slip or scratch-resistant properties.