Why Tiles Instead of a Built Deck
Deck tiles solve the surfaces a framed deck cannot touch: rooftops where penetrations void the membrane warranty, rental balconies where nothing can be permanent, and concrete patios too sound to demolish but too ugly to keep. The system is structural hardwood tiles on adjustable pedestals or interlocking bases — no fasteners into the substrate, fully reversible.
Ours are the same kiln-dried Brazilian hardwood as our decking, cut into tile format. Janka-hard wearing surface, real wood underfoot, and a system a two-person crew installs in a weekend.
Read the Surface First
Every install starts with slope and drainage. Tiles must never dam water: on rooftops and membranes, adjustable pedestals lift the surface level while water runs freely underneath to the existing drains. On concrete with decent slope, low-profile interlocking bases are enough.
Check load limits on rooftops before ordering — hardwood tiles plus pedestals typically run well under residential rooftop allowances, but the building engineer signs off, not the tile supplier. We provide per-square-foot system weights with the quote for exactly this conversation.
The Install, Step by Step
Set a laser or string line at finished height, place corner pedestals, and work a grid outward, checking level every few tiles — adjustable pedestals turn to fine-tune. Leave the manufacturer's edge gap at parapets and walls so wind and thermal movement have somewhere to go.
Cutting happens at the borders. Dense hardwood tiles cut cleanly with a standard miter or circular saw and a sharp carbide blade; seal cut ends with end-grain sealer, same as decking. Perimeter zones in wind-exposed rooftops may require restraint clips — coastal branches quote these by default.
Living With a Tile Deck
Maintenance mirrors hardwood decking: oil annually to keep the brown or let the tiles silver evenly. The bonus is access — lift any tile to retrieve what fell through, clear a drain, or inspect the membrane. Property managers love that part more than the wood.
When you move or re-roof, the whole surface comes up and goes with you. Send the dimensions and surface type to your nearest branch and the quote comes back as a complete system: tiles, pedestals, edge trim, one delivery.
