Month: January 2020

When creating you perfect deck, one of the more challenging parts is building the stairs. Whether its stairs up to the deck or from one deck level to another, finding the right balance of the rise and tread can be tricky. For this reason, you will find several deck stairs systems on the market.  

Before we go too far into deck stair systems let’s make sure we understand some of the terminologies around them.  The rise refers to the height of the step and on average is approximately 7 inches. The tread is the depth of the step and usually is approximately 11 inches.  A stringer also called a string or stringer board is the housing on either side of a flight of stairs, into which the treads and risers are fixed. Box steps refer to a deck stair system that is created by stacking platforms onto each other to create the steps.

When comparing the two build methods of deck stair systems, there are some key differences and advantages to both the box stair and stinger methods. Both these methods can be applied to creating steps for wood, composite and even stone decks when using some innovative products like Silca System, Tiledeck or Paverdeck.

At most big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot, you will find deck stair system kits available. These kits are relatively inexpensive and easily assembled. They come with either wood or aluminum stringers, precut treads and screws. However, with these types of kits, you are limited to the size of the rise and tread and number of steps available. 

Unlike the deck stair systems found at Lowes and Home Depot that can be limiting, you can create your own. Stringers can be cut to a slightly varying degree of rise and tread depending on the size of lumber you use to cut it from.  In most cases to create an average size rise and tread you will need to use a 2” x 12” piece of lumber or larger. The box stair method of construction can be build using various sizes of lumber and it allows you to create whatever size of rise or tread you like. 

As mentioned before these methods of construction can be used to create wood, composite or stone deck stairs.  The base of all these deck stair systems remains the same, constructed from either pressure treated or cedar lumber. When cladding with either wood or composite the rise and treads are screwed directly onto the framing.  When cladding with stone, you would need to use a product like StoneDeks Silca System, or Evolutiondecks Tiledeck first to support the stone. We have attached two links that show these deck stair systems being used in both the stringer and box step method of construction.

Silca System Box Stairs

Tile Deck Box Stairs

When construction stairs for a stone deck in a more traditional method of stone construction you will need to ensure the base is properly constructed.  This would initially involve excavation and preparation and compaction of the granular base. As each step level is build using stones, the area within each step level would have to have its base prepared to support the next step. This is often a challenge, ensuring proper compaction of each level without disrupting the level below and obtaining a level surface in order to build the next step on. As you can see there are many deck stair systems available to you, from premanufactured ones to totally customizable ones. Finding the one that is right for you will depend on your specific needs, the desired cladding material and your level of comfort working with the material.

Over the years there has been an increase in demand for people incorporating hardscape landscaping into their back yards. The use of interlock or patio stone decks allows for the creation of spectacular, maintenance-free living spaces.  Stone has a natural look, is durable and easily maintained, and aging just increases its beauty!

Traditional interlock installation techniques require relatively deep excavation, removal of materials and extensive base preparation.  If the topography of your yard involves slopes, then traditional interlock installation would require the construction of an interlock wall and drainage systems.  A patio stone deck helps mitigate many of these factors.

As the popularity of patio stone decks increases, several companies have developed unique products allowing for easy construction.  Stonedeks Soil Grid and Alliance Gator Mat* are two products that are cost-effective and make installation of a patio stone deck much easier. Evolutiondeck’s Paverdeck can be installed in the ground, either wholly or partially, making this a fantastic choice when dealing with slopes.

The benefits of using these types of innovative deck systems to create an in-ground patio stone deck are time of installation and structural stability. While traditional interlock installation relies heavily on base preparations, these innovative products rely on their design and the geosynthetics used for stability and longevity. The concept of these would be similar to an outdoor floating floor that is locked together preventing movement of the stone due to freeze-thaw cycles. These systems also work incredibly well to support and stabilize outdoor porcelain pavers which are gaining in popularity.

For perspective, let’s look at the installation of one of these products.  The StoneDeks Soil Grid is an engineered plastic grate that locks together, allows for drainage and stays flexible even in the extreme Canadian cold.  I have had the opportunity to witness the installation of this type of patio stone deck at several projects across Canada, both by contractors and homeowners, and the results were amazing, with no reported callbacks for shifting, movement or settling.

The process starts with minimal excavation to accommodate the thickness of stone chosen, the soil grid, and approximately 4” of granular used for leveling.  This amount of excavation is significantly less than traditional interlock installation, greatly reducing the labour time or the need for heavy equipment.

Once excavated, the disturbed soil is compacted, and a layer of geotextile is put down to prevent the granular from migrating into the ground over time.  The granular material is added, leveled and compacted and a second layer of geotextile is placed over the compacted granular.  The second layer of geotextile prevents the soil grid grates from settling into the granular over time.  Once the soil grid is down and locked into place a final layer of geotextile is added directly on the grids to hold the polymeric sand in place.  The final step to finishing your patio stone deck is to lay the desired stones and sweep in the polymeric sand.

The way these patio stone deck systems lock together, and the use of geotextiles to hold the various layers of materials in place gives these systems the ability to weather the Canadian climate.

The price of a patio stone deck can be equivalent to standard interlock ground installation.  The extra cost of these materials used is offset by the time and other materials saved during installation. If there are any significant slopes involved, then using a product such as Paverdeck to create your patio stone deck will definitely offset the cost.  The fact that the use of these systems allows for less excavation make them ideal for the “do-it-yourselfer” who may not have access to equipment for excavating.

As people invest more money and time into their yards in an effort to create beautiful, outdoor living space, they want products that will last and look great for years to come.  Welcome to the deck innovations!

We all want our homes to look their best and building a maintenance free deck is a great way to beautify your space and increase the value of your home. However, without a strong, supportive base or weather-resistant surface, you may find yourself with a sunken patio or deteriorating deck.

One of the best things about using the StoneDeks Silca System is that you can build your stone deck right on top of your existing deck frame and joists. Plus, it’s exceptionally strong, coming with Canadian engineering reports signed off for each province. The hexagonal underlayment is made from thick engineered polymer and provides support every two inches. Homeowners or contractors can create a stone, porcelain or paver deck without worrying about the heavy weight of stone pieces or pavers.

So, what exactly is the Silca System? Simply put, the Silca System is a way to create a stone deck or revitalize and rejuvenate your existing wood or composite deck, without any major demolition work. Manufactured from high-quality, recycled plastics, the Silca System is essentially an exoskeleton for your deck allowing you to transition from wood to stone or porcelain surfaces with ease. The key is the hexagonally shaped foundation of the grates, which help to evenly distribute the weight and balance surface materials simultaneously. Once this framework is in place, you can quickly and easily start installing your stone of choice overtop. Thanks to Silca System you have just transformed your deck from wood or composite to stone in a short amount of time.

Silca System was actually designed, tested and produced to change the impossible back into the possible. You can now build, with stone, pavers or porcelain, on elevated framed structures such as patios, balconies or rooftops. The relatively low cost of a Silca System fits easily within most budgets, helping to bridge the gap between a luxurious feel and modest overhead. And design options are literally limited only by your own imagination! You can now use pavers, stone and porcelain as the walking surface to literally every space imaginable: walkways, porches, decks, pool surrounds, balconies and many more!

Silca System makes finishing your elevated raised deck a breeze no matter what the height. Whether you want a beautiful deck off your first-floor kitchen or an elevated deck off your family room where you might have a basement entrance underneath, Silca System can handle the job.

No elevated deck would be complete without a stairway or two.  With Silca System you can match the beautiful deck with a stone staircase that accents your deck design. Creating a visually stunning stone staircase can seamlessly connect the rest of your hardscape and landscape design.

Wooden pool decks can take a ton of wear and tear.  With Silca System you can create a beautiful stone deck around your pool that looks amazing and is easy to maintain.

A gazebo can be a beautiful backyard centerpiece.  Now imagine a gorgeous stone design covering the entire base – both top and sides – thanks to Silca System.

Simply put, Silca System is a sub-flooring system that is installed on top of pre-existing or newly built wood or metal deck joists. Doing so allows your deck to support any type of stone or paver you’d like. Silca System can help you transform your wood or composite deck into a beautiful, durable and low-maintenance stone deck. Not only is it strong and beautiful but it’s also made with recycled materials proving to be environmentally friendly. Made in the USA, Silca System comes with a 20 year residential and 10 year commercial warranty. Check out the cost of a Silca system today and enjoy the Stone Deck Innovations

More and more people are realizing the joy of creating beautiful outdoor living spaces – not only for the benefit of adding to the value of your home, but to allow them to enjoy their own back yards! In North America alone there will be 6.5 million decks built this year. Plastic composite decking is expected to see the fastest growth of all decking materials increasing 4.5% a year through 2020. So, a Stone Deck Vs a Composite deck – how do they compare?

Composite decking boards are made of wood and plastic. The wood particles can be anything from sawdust, wood chips, or wood fiber pieces. The plastic components can be either virgin or recycled plastic materials. A stone deck paver is used widely in building and landscaping as it is highly prized for beauty, strength, and durability. Stone pavers are made of many materials including limestone, bluestone, basalt, sandstone, and granite.

Besides the obvious difference in materials when comparing a stone deck vs a composite deck there are some similarities.

The build concept and techniques for both a stone deck and a composite deck are similar. The framing structure for both can be either floated or with footings, depending on the soil conditions.  The footings can either be mechanical screw piles or concrete footings. The structure is then framed using pressure-treated lumber.  The framing of a stone deck vs a composite deck can be slightly different.  According to both manufacturers, using StoneDeks Silca Grate or Evolutiondeck’s Tiledeck you can use a standard 16” on center frame. Some composite boards need to be supported by 12” on center frame to prevent the boards from sagging in hot temperatures. Stone is not affected by heat and thanks to the supportive nature of the stone deck products, it will not shift.  Stone will also remain cooler than composite decking boards, but both products will heat up more if darker colours are selected.

From a routine maintenance perspective, a stone deck vs a composite deck, both are considered maintenance-free and will last you a long time. A stone deck simply needs a quick pressure wash to get rid of the grime from winter or when needed. Composite manufacturers, however, do not recommend the use of a pressure washer as this could damage the decking surface and will void the warranty should any condition caused by the pressure washing occur. 

Another factor to consider for Canadians is winter maintenance. With snow and ice build-up keeping your deck clear may be a bit of a challenge.  So how does a stone deck vs composite deck compare for winter maintenance? Some stone products and most composite products may be affected by salt, so the best option for removing snow and ice is a calcium chloride-based “ice melt” or rock salt. Look for the phrases “safe for concrete”, “safe for flagstone” and “will not kill grass”. Using plastic or metal shovels will not affect a stone deck and any non-slip grit that is applied will easily wash off in the spring. Ice melts with a colorant added, while convenient to see how much are where you’ve spread it – can stain the stone or composite decking.  Sand or grit, while it offers traction on slippery surfaces, should be avoided on composite decking as it can damage the surface. Metal shovels or sharp-edge tools are also not recommended for use on composite decking.

When comparing the cost of a stone deck vs a composite deck the pricing is fairly similar. Since both builds, in essence, are the same from the footings to the framing, the difference in pricing will be the cladding materials.  The price for composite decking and stone can vary greatly depending on the vendor.  Most big box stores can offer some great pricing on weekend or flyer specials – but be cautious! These great deals are usually limited in stock or are based on truckload specials, so if you run out or need more later in the season you may not be able to get the same colour or dye lots. If we look at regularly stocked and available items whether from a big box store, deck store or stone yard you will find that composite decking will run you between $10-25 per square foot, while stone will run $5-20 per square foot.

Whether you decide on a stone deck or composite deck, make sure to consider the advantages and disadvantages of both options before deciding which one is right for you.

Welcome to deck innovations.