give outdoor spaces a new life with tiles, colourful carpets and always-green grass
6 minute read
interlocking wood deck tiles are designed to stay together without grout, glue, screws or nails.
bc outdoor flooring
if your outdoor space is looking a little tired, livening it up is an easy fix with an array of stylish options, including fancy tiles and colourful carpets. you’re limited only by preference, imagination, and budget.
outdoor tiles
not only do outdoor tiles hide boring concrete, they beautify a space with materials such as exotic wood, porcelain, or a blend of wood and recycled plastic.
structural wood deck pavers are non-flexible, two-foot by two-ft heavy gauge hardwood tiles that are installed on adjustable pedestals, allowing for electrical, lighting or irrigation underneath. these panels can be used on any type of patio, balcony or deck surface, including concrete, and can be removed and replaced without disturbing the entire surface.
the tiles’ grid-like base is stable, so there’s no separation or drift, and the raised base allows for good drainage, says tony clarke, manager, b.c. outdoor flooring. they’re available in a variety of tones and grains, and the hardwoods used stand up to scratches, rot and bugs.
porcelain paver maintenance requires only an occasional sweep or hose down.
bc outdoor flooring
clarke says installation can usually be completed in a day, at a cost of $45 per sq. ft, and doesn’t require glue, screws or nails. they do require maintenance, including regular sweeping and damp mopping, along with an annual sealant treatment. “we generally just mop a deck and then oil it with penofin.” once it’s dry, in 24 hours, it will protect the wood from the elements.
interlocking wood deck tiles, installed at $40 to $45 are designed to interlock without grout, glue, screws or nails.
composite deck tiles, a blend of wood and mostly recycled plastic, feature interlocking squares or rectangles, and cost $25 to $35, installed, usually in a day. they’re also fully suspended off the floor to allow moisture and debris to flow out and away. they’re durable, resist fading, stains, moisture and rot, and are low maintenance, needing only an occasional light wash. clarke says interlocking deck tiles are mainly used on a completely flat surface, which makes them ideal for condo balconies. they come in a variety of finishes, from faux wood to solid colours, and sizes to create unique patterns.
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porcelain paver tiles can work on just about any deck, or over grass or crushed rock. they’re also virtually indestructible. “they’re three-quarter-inch thick tile made under high heat and high pressure,” says clarke. “the water absorption is less than .1 per cent. you can soak them in a bathtub for a week, throw them in the snow and they won’t crack, because there’s no water inside to make them crack. the only way to hurt them is to drop something on them.”
in that case, since they’re also supported on pedestals, simply sweeping up the breakage and dropping in a replacement tile should do the trick.
in that case, since they’re also supported on pedestals, simply sweeping up the breakage and dropping in a replacement tile should do the trick.
clarke says porcelain pavers can’t be scratched and are highly resistant to chipping, staining, and fading. “in a couple hundred years they’ll still be there.”
depending on the space, installation can take anywhere from one to three days at a cost of $25 to $35 per sq. ft, installed. maintenance requires only an occasional sweep or hose down.
artificial grass
also called synthetic turf, artificial grass is grabbing attention thanks to b.c.’s increasingly hotter temps, annual water restrictions, and the material’s rep for low maintenance. green year-round, it can be used to lay over balconies, encircle a pool, or cover an entire yard.
“the blades and fibres are made of polyethylene, which is woven into a polyurethane backing,” says julian li-brubacher, co-owner, operations manager at turf team landscaping. “it’s essentially an outdoor plastic carpet.”
li-brubacher says modern materials, however, look a bit more authentic. “today there are all different shapes of the strands. some can have a v shape or w shape to give more texture. they have different colours mixed in the same turf as well, and, most importantly, there’s an added dash layer (a thin layer of crushed rock or stone dust that gives a smooth surface and helps with drainage). just like a layer of dead grass in a real lawn, there’s also shorter, curly fibres to make it look more realistic.”
artificial grass stays green year-round, and it can be used on balconies, around a pool, or to cover an entire yard.
turf team landscaping
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li-brubacher says turf team also offers a “barefoot turf,” especially good for kids. “it’s a thicker curly turf, almost like a sponge, so it’s really comfortable to walk on barefooted.”
for dogs, special infills, including silica sand and envirofill, have microbial properties for a cleaner, more sanitary surface you can simply hose down. li-brubacher says the turf backing is punctured with little holes in every foot, which he says drains better than grass. “people with dogs really like it, especially if you have a high-energy dog doing laps around your yard. with wet grass, it will turn into a muddy racetrack. artificial turf eliminates that.”
installation over a 300-sq.-ft area takes a couple of days and costs $14 to $18 per sq. ft, depending on whether the job requires a full tear-out, base prep, installation, infill and seam gluing.
installation over a 300-sq.-ft area takes a couple of days and costs $14 to $18 per sq. ft, depending on whether the job requires a full tear-out, base prep, installation, infill and seam gluing.
maintenance involves regular blowing or vacuuming off leaves to discourage weeds, and a mild soap and water solution to wash off any oil or grease. for in-depth cleaning, the company offers “power-brooming” and sanitizing with a special pressure washer once or twice a year to rid it of dirt and debris and to re-fluff the blades. if well-maintained, li-brubacher says the turf can last at least 20 years.
while there has been concern about adverse health effects, a review by vancouver coastal health into artificial turf used in sports fields found there has been “no peer reviewed clinical study that has concluded synthetic turf fields cause an increase in cancer or other negative human health impacts.”
li-brubacher acknowledges that the production of artificial grass is not entirely eco-friendly because of the large amounts of plastic used, and the current lack of suitable recycling facilities.
rugs and carpets
probably the quickest and easiest way to add a pop of colour and bring a bit of cosy outside is to lay down an outdoor rug or carpet. dustin knapp, general manager at the wickertree langley, says there are numerous advantages to a high-quality rug.
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“if they get wet, they dry well, they drain well, they breathe well. and that’s really important for outdoor use because if they don’t do those things, they promote mould and mildew.”
he adds that, even though the wickertree’s rugs come rolled up, they’re so well-designed they will lay flat after a few days, while less-expensive options rarely do. “that’s important because it means they’re not a tripping hazard. and they’re non-slip.”
one of the quickest ways to add a pop of colour to an exterior living space is with an outdoor rug or carpet.
wickertree
knapp says, if well-maintained, a good rug will wear well without fading for 10-plus years. all they require is a good sweep and the occasional wash with a mild detergent solution, hosed off and left to dry. come winter, while many people leave them out, he recommends bringing them in to give your deck or concrete a chance to breathe. just make sure the rug or carpet is completely dry, roll it up and store it standing upright.
he notes that, while new colours and patterns emerge every year, neutral, solid tones in charcoal, grey, chocolate brown, and navy blue sell the best because they complement just about any space, furniture or home siding.
the wickertree’s carpets and rugs range in price from $399 for smaller styles to $599 for larger options.
“these are an investment in quality, they’re not something you have to replace in two years, so they’re not going into the landfill any time soon.”
in fact, he says smaller-sized rugs are big sellers. “they become more of an area rug. sometimes people think they need a really big carpet or rug to cover everything on their deck and that’s not necessary. you want to see your rug and enjoy it. but if it’s tucked under your furniture, it’s kind of wasted.”
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