Deck Innovations

Interlock has been a popular driveway surfacing material for decades thanks to its versatility and durability. While interlock makes a great alternative to concrete or asphalt when installing a driveway, it is not the only choice available. The best alternative to interlock for a driveway is to go with porcelain pavers, for a variety of reasons. 

Here’s a rundown on by porcelain pavers are the best alternative to interlock for a driveway:

Curb Appeal – While we can all agree that almost any building material is an improvement over concrete or asphalt when it comes to driveway appearance, interlock is somewhat dated and reminiscent of the 1980s. Porcelain pavers not only offer a stylish and modern look, but the sky’s the limit when it comes to design options. Available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, porcelain tiles and pavers allow for total visual continuity, so that your driveway design can complement other areas of your outdoor living space, enhancing your home’s curb appeal. 

Strength – Porcelain pavers are stronger than they appear. Boasting a load-bearing strength of up to 4X that of poured concrete, you’ll never have to deal with the unsightly cracks that are associated with concrete and sometimes asphalt. 

Maintenance – Have you ever tried to remove an oil stain from a concrete driveway? To prevent porous concrete from absorbing materials that may cause permanent staining and discolouration, it requires regular sealing as the finish begins to show wear. Asphalt also requires resealing every couple of years as it begins to fade. Porcelain pavers are virtually maintenance-free, requiring only an occasional power wash to continue gleaming year after year thanks to their fade and stain resistance. 

Durability – Driveways of any type can crack, heave or otherwise become damaged, often due to Canada’s freeze & thaw cycles, poor grading and improper base preparation. Porcelain pavers are resistant to these cycles, remaining intact and in position year after year.

Repairs – In the unlikely event that you should ever need to replace a porcelain paver, the process is quick, easy and unnoticeable, unlike concrete and asphalt repairs which leave telltale signs forever.

Longevity – When installed with an appropriate system such as GatorBase or pedestals, porcelain pavers can last a lifetime without cracking and heaving. In contrast, concrete and asphalt are prone to cracks over time, and interlock can sag. 

Safety – Porcelain tiles or pavers have built-in slip-resistant properties, making them ideal for surfaces where people walk. In contrast, concrete can be exceptionally slippery whether icy or wet. 

High-quality porcelain pavers such as the Frontier20 pavers from Landmark Ceramics offer a variety of benefits, making them an excellent alternative to interlock for your driveway.

• Ease of installation – easy to install, remove & replace
• Lightweight – Transportation and installation is easier & lighter than alternatives
• Easy to Clean – Simply powerwash once in a while
• Low Maintenance – No repairs, sealing or replacement required
• Slip Resistant – Safe whether wet or dry
• Eco-Friendly – Far more eco-friendly than cement or asphalt
• Durable – Porcelain pavers resist scratches, stains, fading, moss and mould along with frost, salt & thermal shocks

Thanks to the incredible strength and variety of looks offered by porcelain pavers, you no longer need to choose between looks and durability when installing a new driveway at your home.

Outdoor porcelain pavers are an excellent alternative to interlock for driveways. From their stylish good looks to durability and weather resistance, a driveway constructed of porcelain pavers is sure to be a smart investment in your home and the envy of your neighbourhood.

Getting it Right the First Time

Spring has an uncanny way of revealing our imperfections, and this is most evident when it comes to outdoor hardscapes. Even when your outdoor patio or other hardscape installation appears level and properly installed, the following spring is when you’ll discover that things are not as they seem. After undergoing a relentless series of freeze & thaw cycles, those perfectly positioned patio stones, bricks & porcelain pavers are now a mess; often buckling or no longer level. 

In the past, the way to avoid this was to excavate as deeply as 12” before filling it with crushed stone or sand. This would usually ensure a surface that was relatively level and would remain so for a few years. This method was both labour intensive and expensive, with results sometimes unpredictable.

These days there are better solutions that make a miserable chore not only easier but also more affordable. Cutting-edge innovations like Silca SoilGrid are one of these solutions. Silca SoilGrid makes it easy to install porcelain pavers, concrete pavers, brick, or natural stone in the ground, even on sloped surfaces. 

Silca SoilGrid – How It Works

Creating a heavy-duty and permeable base stabilization, Silca SoilGrid reduces settling issues while offering a wide load distribution. In short, it reinforces the ground surface without sealing it. Specifically engineered for in-ground applications, by stabilizing the base materials during your hardscape installation, Silca SoilGrid helps to eliminate the disruption caused by heaving and settling pavers.

The end result is hardscapes that remain stronger and level year after year; with less labour and at a lower cost. Ideal for patios, parking, driveways, paths or even concrete replacement, the Silca SoilGrid system enables easy ground reinforcement in a fully permeable manner while allowing nearly unlimited design options with modern pavers. 

Other Benefits of Choosing Silca SoilGrid

• Making installation quick and straightforward, Silca SoilGrids are sold in pre-connected sheets which can be cut to size and shape.
• Giving you complete design freedom, these grids will work with a variety of fill materials.
• It couldn’t be easier! Large areas can be installed by a single person and there is no need for heavy construction equipment. Whether you’re a contractor or a DIY’er, Silca SoilGrid is the ideal solution. 
• The permeability of the grids makes them easier and faster to level when you choose sand as your fill material. It also helps to avoid drainage and infrastructure issues that can lead to flooding. 
• The Silca SoilGrid heavy-duty linking grid system brings greater stability to your base materials, creating stronger hardscapes. Completed Silca SoilGrid installations are even strong enough to support vehicular traffic!
• Backed by a 20-year warranty, Silca SoilGrids are unbreakable, weather-proof and UV-resistant.

Save Time & Money

Silca SoilGrid will give you better results, with less work and for less money. By excavating only half as deeply as other methods require, you’ll require less labour, less disposal effort & cost, and less sand or aggregate needed as fill. Time is money and the Silca SoilGrid system cuts your excavation time in half, providing further savings, as much as 50% on the excavation and up to 40% in labour costs. Finally, you’ll save plenty of time in the future when you won’t need to deal with the shifting and settling of pavers, or if you are a contractor, warranty call-backs. 

Build stronger hardscapes that remain level year after year while saving time, labour, and money. Choose Silca SoilGrid for your in-ground projects and reap the benefits of solid, long-lasting results that save you time, labour, and money!

As many Canadians have opted to spend their downtime closer to home this summer, some have become painfully aware of how limited their outdoor living space is. Densely packed homes in urban centres don’t often come with a great deal of land, making it difficult to build the deck or patio of your dreams. 

One option that is becoming more popular with each passing year is to build up, above your home. Rooftop patios are excellent entertaining spaces and often the envy of one’s neighbourhood. When you’re up that high you’ll not only enjoy additional living space with excellent views but also cool breezes and an absence of insects, all features you’re sure to appreciate. 

At the same time that rooftop patios are becoming more popular, technology is making the construction of rooftop patios and decks easier than ever. One can now build a rooftop patio with relative ease, even on a roof that is not flat. There are now a variety of products and systems designed for the building of raised floors, decks and yes, rooftop patios. Now, virtually no space is off-limits, and these great products can help you to create the perfect rooftop patio you’ve always dreamed of. 

While you’ll need to clear a few hurdles including zoning, building permits and fire codes, constructing a rooftop is easier than ever with the right components. 

Underneath it all, you’ll want to use a pedestal system. Adjustable pedestals are uncomplicated, comprising of only a handful of elements including adjustable pedestal heads, which can reach a slope of up to 5%. Perfect for addressing slopes or uneven surfaces, they are both durable and weather-resistant. Consider adjustable pedestal systems offered by Canada Pedestal Systems where you’ll find a wide selection of quality pedestal systems from the most reputable manufacturers including Uptec by Profilitec, Eterno Ivica and Bison Innovative Products. Each of these pedestal systems is straightforward and effortless to use, whether you are an experienced contractor or a DIY’er. 

When using pedestals, you’ll also be able to hide plumbing and electrical underneath your rooftop patio, yet have easy access to it when needed. Pedestals offer impressive load-bearing strength and also allow water to drain away quickly for improved safety, make it easy to replace a tile if necessary. 

While at ground level pedestals do a fine job of supporting surface materials on their own, when building a rooftop patio, it is suggested that you integrate a mid-level component to properly support your stone or tile. This helps to reduce the load on any particular point while avoiding putting too much pressure on your home’s roof. Silca Grates are the perfect solution, acting as a subfloor for your chosen surface while distributing the weight over a wider area. Each Silca Grate covers a 2 sq-ft area, works perfectly with pedestal systems below, and can easily support surface materials of any size, including popular 6-inch planks. 

The sky’s the limit when it comes to surface materials for your rooftop patio. Of course, you’ll need something weather-resistant and ideally something durable and long-lasting. Surfaces such as natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tile are not only on-trend but will remain level year after year and are virtually maintenance-free. We recommend looking into high-quality products including Kronos Porcelain Pavers, Frontier20 Porcelain Pavers from Landmark Ceramics or Del Conca Porcelain Pavers & Tiles for perfect, durable results that offer unlimited design options.

Whether you’re making the most of your property by creating additional living space or are looking to improve your home’s value, building a rooftop patio is easier than you might think. Opening a world of fresh new design ideas, pedestal systems make what was previously impossible, easily achievable. Suddenly, no location is off-limits or wasted space when it comes to expanding your outdoor living area. Maximize your unused space, enjoy it more and improve the value of your home with the help of pedestal systems.

Canadians love spending time on their deck, but the constant upkeep can be frustrating. From needing to stain it every couple of years to replacing rotted or insect-ridden wood, keeping your deck in its best condition is both expensive and a lot of work. Metal framing is a great way to make your deck last a lifetime, letting you spend more time on your deck rather than maintaining it. 

When building a deck the old-fashioned way with wood, you can expect several major repairs or rebuilds throughout its lifetime, as lumber typically deteriorates within about ten years. Continually combatting the ravages of outdoor conditions, wood decks need regular ongoing maintenance and repairs. From regular sanding and staining to repairing rotted or damaged boards, wood decks can be a lot of work. All that upkeep adds up in time and money. You’ll save plenty of both when you opt for metal framing for your deck. A metal-framed deck will save you time and money, every year, for a lifetime.

When constructing a deck, its structure is just as important as your choice of deck surfacing. A deck should be built on the strongest and most durable structure possible. The Bailey Truedeck steel-based framing system will help you create the best possible foundation for your decking material. More durable than pressure-treated wood, a Bailey Truedeck metal deck will not warp or shrink the way wood does and will stand the test of time against the elements, insects, and rot. 

Truedeck metal decking structures will help you build a deck to last a lifetime, with minimal care. Constructed of high-quality galvanized steel, Bailey Truedeck resists corrosion and significantly outlasts wood and composite alternatives. Exceptionally durable, Truedeck is non-combustible, termite and vermin-proof and stands up against Canadian weather. Since Truedeck structures do not shrink, split, swell, rot or warp, your deck will remain level, with no need to sand, stain, protect, repair or rebuild it. 

These days, with the price of lumber skyrocketing, one might find it cost-prohibitive to build a deck this year. Astonishingly, the cost of building or framing a deck with metal is now equal to or even less expensive than wood. This means that you can now construct a deck that will last a lifetime for the same price or less than wood! 

This is a great time to invest in the benefits of metal framing, at the same price as wood while enjoying the dividends for decades. When you choose metal over wood for your deck, this may be the last deck you’ll ever need to build. Factor in the current pricing of wood and a metal deck is the smart choice financially, as well as in terms of time and labour. Build it once and forget about maintenance every few years. Now you can spend less time maintaining your deck, and more time enjoying it. 

While making improvements to your outdoor living space is sure to increase your enjoyment of your home and yard, it also adds value to your home. From landscaping to hardscapes and beautiful design, your home’s value will only go up. Much like a metal roof, a metal-framed deck means a lifetime without repairs and replacements, which is sure to be an appealing feature should you ever decide to sell your home. 

When you’re ready to build a deck or upgrade your existing one, you can eliminate regular maintenance and rebuilding when you choose Truedeck metal framing. Truedeck metal deck framing will help you to build a deck for life. Simple to install, and requiring minimal upkeep, Bailey Truedeck is your ideal choice when building a deck, giving you the freedom to enjoy your deck instead of spending countless hours and dollars on deck maintenance and repairs.

This summer, as Canadians are spending their downtime closer to home, many are investing in their outdoor living spaces, making their home a more enjoyable place to spend their time.

The outrageous price of wood aside, many are seeking more upscale and durable solutions as they build or upgrade their decks, patios and pool areas. Rather than using composite or overpriced wood as a deck covering, outdoor porcelain tiles are seeing a surge in popularity. Stunningly attractive, outdoor tiles are a great alternative, with numerous benefits to be had including greater enjoyment of your space and adding value to one’s home. 

With outdoor porcelain tiles, you can forget about needing to maintain and repair your deck, especially if you have chosen metal framing underneath it. Suddenly there’s no need to re-stain or seal it every couple of years or replace warped and cracked boards. Rather than seasonal repair and maintenance, simply hose it off occasionally with a power washer. Porcelain tiles will last a lifetime, meaning you’ll spend more time on your deck, rather than fixing it. 

Porcelain tiles also make an interesting substitute for concrete patios around the pool. Sure, stamped concrete is nice, but porcelain tiles offer an upscale look worthy of the finest five-star resorts. Available with a variety of slip-resistant finishes, porcelain tiles are an ideal choice for safe outdoor surfaces.

Landmark Ceramics’ Frontier20 porcelain tiles are an excellent option for anyone looking to take their outdoor deck or patio to a whole new level. This high-end porcelain pavers collection is designed to create architectural landscapes in both residential and commercial spaces. A unique product, Frontier20 combines exceptional aesthetic features with the strong technical performance expected of the best porcelain pavers.

Frontier20 porcelain pavers are endowed with unique strength and hardness, capable of resisting external abrasions and boasting incredible load-bearing abilities. They are resistant to both frost and thermal shock, and easily stand up to salt damage, moss & mould, scratches, stains and fading. Strong enough to be used for driveways, their uses are nearly limitless. Install them anywhere you want a hard surface, and enjoy their beauty, durability and minimal maintenance for years to come. 

As well as being perfect for a vast range of applications, Frontier20 also offers installation versatility. Install it on a traditional sand and substrate foundation, mortared bed or even grass for an eco-friendly, permeable solution. These high-quality outdoor ceramic tiles can be installed around the most intricate landscaping features and are offered with a complete range of special trim pieces to seamlessly complete and accentuate the landscaping of your outdoor space. Frontier20 porcelain pavers are also available in a variety of sizes in both square and oblong proportions, ensuring complete freedom in every design project. Not limited to a natural stone appearance, Frontier20 tiles are also offered in woodgrain, quartz, slate, limestone or concrete finishes, giving you the design effect you want, with the additional benefits of natural stone. 

The Frontier20 product from Landmark Ceramics offers important ecological benefits too. Completely recyclable, porcelain is also odourless, hygienic, and hypoallergenic; and does not release any harmful substances into the air or soil. Frontier20 porcelain tiles are environmentally friendly, easy to remove & re-use, and can be laid without the use of adhesives, making them a socially responsible choice.

From deck surfaces to poolside, driveways, walkways terraces, and rooftop patios, Frontier20 porcelain tiles will provide outdoor beauty, functionality, and performance to any application you can dream up. Sure to add a new dimension to your outdoor living space and take your hardscapes to new heights, the Frontier20 collection of outdoor porcelain tiles deliver beauty, functionality, and performance. 

It’s no surprise that Canadians from coast to coast love their deck time. After dealing with brutal winter months, our summers, while short and sweet are best spent with family and friends on a deck. 

These days most Canadians are staying closer to home, putting the idea of building a deck higher on their list of projects for this year. Let’s face it; as we embrace the idea of staycations, a deck in our own backyard is an appealing one. Countless numbers of homeowners are making their homes a more enjoyable place to spend time, driving lumber prices sky-high. Despite the price of wood climbing to prices never imagined, demand is further impacting the situation. Not only has the cost to build a wood deck skyrocketed, but it can also be difficult to get your hands on the lumber you need.

Your deck’s frame can be constructed with metal, aluminum or wood. In the past, most people simply went with wood because of its price and dealt with its upkeep, repairs and replacement every few years. However, the situation has changed over the past year. Pricing and supply issues have made right now the ideal time to go with metal framing for your deck, instead of wood. Surprisingly, metal framing now costs less than wood and is readily available; making it easy to build a deck on your timeline, while saving you money in the process. 

Until recently the cost to frame a deck with pressure-treated lumber was $3 to $5 per sq-ft. Over the past year, that number has soared to $6 per sq-ft. Likewise, 2”x8” lumber now costs $3.20 per linear foot on average. These prices are now on par with the cost of metal deck framing, which costs $6 per sq-ft and $3.17 per linear foot. It may be hard to believe, but metal deck framing now costs less than wood!

Bailey Truedeck is an example of metal framing that can replace wood. Very easy to assemble, it comes pre-cut to the exact length required. Thanks to the system’s longer spans, it requires fewer footings – saving you time, work and money. Bailey Truedeck is made of corrosion-resistant galvanized steel and is rot and insect-proof. Another option to consider is Paverdeck Planks, another metal decking platform system designed to work with stone/concrete pavers or porcelain tiles as your decking surface. 

Metal deck framing offers numerous advantages over wood. Engineered to last a lifetime, metal framing is low maintenance, and won’t need to be rebuilt in a few years. It will not shrink or warp, providing you with a flatter base for your decking materials. Greener than pressure-treated wood, Bailey Truedeck is not treated with chemicals and insecticides, offering you a more environmentally friendly option. It can be used in new builds, or to replace your existing wood framing, leaving you with a deck that lasts a lifetime.   

Another great way to reduce deck maintenance is to choose natural stone or porcelain decking materials. Stone offers the convenience and savings of a virtually maintenance-free deck that will last a lifetime. Impervious to the elements, it only looks better with age, and is easy to clean with a simple swipe of a power washer.

Great back yards begin with a great deck. Whether you’re looking to increase your enjoyment of your outdoor living space, entertain friends & family or simply kick back with a cold one, a deck is an integral part of the Canadian summer experience. With a metal-framed deck, you’ll spend more time enjoying your deck rather than maintaining it. 

Silca system is becoming more and more popular as people across Canada strive to create low-maintenance outdoor living spaces for their homes. The concept of an affordable stone deck is relatively new. A stone deck provides homeowners alternatives to traditional decking material options and competes directly with the composite decking market. And what is most surprising is that the silca system cost is actually less on average when compared to a composite deck!

A Silca System stone deck is a structure clad in stone, instead of traditional interlock installation methods that rely on excavation and backfill materials.  When comparing a Silca system stone deck to an interlock deck, particularly for decks above grade the silca system cost will be less. Not only does the silca system cost less, but constructing one is easier and faster, and will not move, shift or settle over the years.  The simplicity and ease of construction make a silca system stone deck a perfect fit for “do-it-yourselfers” as well as contractors.

A silca system stone deck requires construction or use of an existing structure supported by footings or attached to the house and then the structure is clad with stone.  This type of build allows for a greater selection of design options, increases the type and style of cladding materials, easy installation of utilities such as electrical, gas lines or lighting and allows for storage under the deck itself.

There are other innovative products and companies that support the creation of a silca system stone deck quickly and cost effectively. For example, mechanical screw piles for footings are an excellent alternative to traditional concrete footings. They can be installed to the prescribed depth and torque as required for each specific build and come complete with an engineering report.

So, what does the silca system cost? You have to consider a few factors to determine the overall costs such as; are you using a contractor, which contractor you are using, location in Canada, access to job site, is it a complex build, what materials are you planning on using, etc. Breaking down a silca system cost from a do-it-yourself perspective is a bit simpler.  

The cost of mechanical screw piles range on average between $200-$500 per pile dependant on size and load bearing capacity required. With screw piles, you will not have to worry about excavation, sonotubes, concrete or backfill.  Framing your structure using pressure treated lumber will run between $3-5 per square foot, varying depending on the design and support structure required for your deck. The Silca System cost  for the grates themselves will cost you between $8-9 per square foot. 

The cost of the stone that you choose will vary – you can source stone anywhere from $3 to $15* per square foot.  Accessories such as lintel attachments, geotextiles, spacer tabs, polymeric sand can run you about $2* per square foot.  

*Note these prices are reflected in Canadian dollars and are based on 2019 costings.

Besides the advantage of the silca system cost, if you already have an existing wood or composite deck – transforming it to a stone deck is simple.  Instead of demolishing the entire structure and sending it to a landfill in order to build an interlock deck, you can utilize the existing framing. You may have to beef up the framed structure or add footings depending on style of stone you have selected. This is quicker and simpler then demolishing the entire structure, excavating to build a base and build an entirely new structure. 

When you factor in the silca system cost with the fact that a stone deck will last you a lifetime – a stone deck is one of your best alternatives to a beautiful, maintenance free outdoor living space. 

Welcome to the deck revolution! 

The term stone decking has started being used more and more over the last couple of years.  So, what exactly does it mean and what are the benefits of a stone deck?

Everyone is familiar with the concept of a deck – a framed structure of either wood, steel or aluminium, floated or supported by a footing system, and clad with wood or composite decking.  A stone deck is a similar concept, but it is clad using stone instead of wood or composite decking. The benefit of a stone deck is realized through creating a virtually maintenance free surface that will last a lifetime.  Stone is durable, has a natural look, and it’s beauty just increases with age! 

Certain decking materials can take a beating in the Canadian climate. Sun, rain, and freeze-thaw cycles are a wood decks’ worst enemy, forcing a homeowner to spend time and money on a regular basis to strip, stain and seal to maintain the desired look. Composite decking claims to be maintenance free and long lasting but the elements also affect this material, leading to cracking, splitting, peeling and warping over time. The benefits of a stone deck are obvious in this case – stones are not affected by the elements and maintaining a stone deck is as simple as using a pressure washer to clean off the dirt. It is not recommended to use a pressure washer to clean a wood or composite deck as it will lift the wood fibers or damage the wood finish on the composite.

The traditional method of installing an interlock “stone deck” would be by excavating, base preparation using granular materials and building stone walls to support the granular and then the stone. This method of construction involves tedious labor or machinery, moving materials out and then replacing them with granular, and is more susceptible to the Canadian elements over time. With the products available today, it is easy to realize the benefits of a stone deck that does not rely on this type of base preparations that can be affected by freeze-thaw cycles.  A stone decks’ framed structure is supported by either concrete or mechanical footings that are positioned well below the frost line.  Originally, stone decks were created by attaching plywood to the top of the framing. This technique is considered subpar and can lead to wood rotting and stone sagging.  

Several companies have developed unique products to help homeowners or contractors create a stone deck quickly and cost effectively. StoneDeks SicaGrates and Evolutiondeck’s Tiledeck are two products that are attached directly to a traditional wood deck framing, and directly support the desired stone.  Evolutiondeck’s Paverdeck is a product that incorporates the framing and is ready to have the stone laid directly onto it. Stonedeks Silca Soil Grid and Alliance Gator Base are soil based stabilizing products that scientifically reduce the installation times for stone patios. Bison and Eternoivica Pedestal systems allow you to create a beautiful maintenance free living space on any flat rooftop, which is perfect for certain urban settings.

Regardless which of these innovative products you use, the real benefits of a stone deck are indisputable, particularly given its flexibility. You can create a stone deck on the ground, elevated, second story or on top of a rooftop. It can be built to allow for storage underneath and easy access to mechanicals such as a hot tub for example. When compared to traditional stone installation methods, a stone deck is cost effective and   withstands the Canadian elements beautifully. It will last a lifetime and a stone deck is the closest you will get to a zero maintenance, beautiful outdoor living space. Welcome to the stone deck revolution.

Stone decking is becoming more and more popular as people across Canada strive to create low-maintenance outdoor living spaces for their homes. And thankfully, though it is a relatively new concept, they are becoming more and more affordable. A stone deck provides homeowners alternatives to traditional decking material options and competes directly with the composite decking market. Surprisingly, a stone deck cost is actually less on average to a composite deck!

A stone deck is more or less a structure clad in stone, contrasted to traditional interlock installation methods that rely on excavation and backfill materials.  When comparing a stone deck to an interlock deck, particularly above grade decks – you will find that a stone deck cost less. Not only is the stone deck cost less, but construction is easier and faster, and it will not move, shift or settle over the years.  The simplicity and ease of construction make a stone deck a perfect fit for contractors or “do-it-yourselfers”.

To build a stone deck, a structure is constructed, usually supported by footings or attached to the house, depending on the design, and then the structure is clad with stone.  This allows for a greater selection of design options, with more options in the type and style of cladding materials, the ease of installation of utilities such as electrical, gas lines or lighting and this method allows for storage under the deck itself.

There are several products and companies that allow you to create a stone deck quickly and cost effectively. For instance, mechanical screw piles for footings are an excellent alternative to traditional concrete footings.  They are installed to the prescribed depth and torque for each specific build and come with an engineering report. StoneDeks Silca Grates and Evolutiondeck’s Tiledeck are innovative products that are attached to the top of the framed structure in order to support the stone.

Evolutiondeck’s Paverdeck comes as a complete kit including the framing and top surface ready for stone. This is a much better alternative than the traditional plywood on top of the framed structure to support the stone. StoneDeks even have a Soil Grid product that allows for stone installation on grade to create a patio stone deck.

So, what will a stone deck cost? There are a lot of factors that determine the overall costs such as using a contractor, which contractor you are use, location in Canada, job site access, complexity of the build and materials you are planning on using, etc. Breaking down a stone deck cost for the “do-it-yourselfer” is a bit simpler.  

The average cost of mechanical screw piles range between $200-$500 per pile depending on size and load bearing capacity required. By using screw piles, you will not have to worry about excavation, sonotubes, concrete or backfill.  Framing your structure with pressure treated lumber will run framing costs between $3-5 per square foot.  This price varies depending on the design and support structure required for your deck design. The Silca Grates or Tiledeck cost between $8-9 per square foot, while Paverdeck costs $12-$15 per square foot. Remember that if you use Paverdeck you will not need to factor in any framing costs. 

Stone is the option that will vary in cost depending on which stone you choose. Stone can be sourced anywhere from $3 to $15 per square foot.  A combination of accessories such as lintel attachments, geotextiles, spacer tabs, polymeric sand will run you about $2 per square foot.  (Note these prices are reflected in Canadian dollars and are based on 2019 costings.)

Besides the stone deck cost being a big advantage, another key consideration is if there is an existing wood or composite deck – transforming it to a stone deck is simple.  Instead of demolishing the entire structure and sending it to a landfill in order to build an interlock deck, you utilize the existing framing. Depending on style of stone being selected you may have to beef up the framed structure or add extra footings.  This, however, is quicker and simpler then demolishing the entire structure, excavating to build a base and build an entirely new structure. 
When you factor in a stone deck cost with the fact a stone deck will last you a lifetime, it is easy to see that a stone deck is one of your best alternatives to a beautiful, maintenance free outdoor living space.

Welcome to the Stone Deck Revolution!

Spending more time at home is definitely the theme of 2020. Because of this, people want to make their homes and outdoor environment as beautiful and useful as possible. Many of us live in cities, where our properties are typically limited, so the trend is to build up rather than out. With this trend, rooftop decks and patios are becoming more the norm. The Uptec Pedestal System is one product that is perfect for this application.

What is the Uptec Pedestal System, also known as a pedestal paver system? The term generally refers to pedestal supports used to raise tiles or pavers off the existing roof surface to create an elevated deck. When using a pedestal system, attaching it to the roofing membrane does not affect the integrity of it and allows for free-flowing drainage of water on roofs. It can also easily work around any mechanical systems that may be present of the roof itself.

The Uptec Pedestal System is manufactured by Profilitec and uses a unique installation system for floating or raised floors. The Uptec Pedestal System is an adjustable pedestal that is simple and easy to use, since it utilizes only three key elements, as well as a range of useful accessories. Most competitor pedestal systems require multiple parts to overcome the various heights required, making the layout of components quite challenging.

The Uptec Pedestal System has three main components, including a self-levelling or fixed head to allow installation of floors at any height, or even on sloped surfaces up to 5%. The SUPAL is recommended for lower heights, allowing you to raise the flooring system from 28 mm to a maximum level of 43 mm. It can accommodate any of the Uptec Pedestal System accessories.

The SUPAS is the standard pedestal allowing for adjustment of the raised floor between 43mm and 58mm. Use the 2mm or 4mm spacers when installing pavers or porcelain tiles and the SUPAW head for attaching wood/steel beams or joists. Pre-drilled holes allow water to flow out and pre-cut lines make it easy to cut the pedestal on corners or perimeters.

The SUPAR is a modular extension ring which is stackable and can be used with the SUPAS standard pedestal. The SUPAR can be stacked as needed to establish the desired height and takes much of the guess work out of the layout. You simply have to add a SUPAR ring when your SUPAS pedestal is too short!

There are numerous benefits to the Uptec Pedestal System. They are incredibly versatile, easy to use and the patented Uptec system of only three components makes it truly simplistic. The added flexibility of the self-levelling head allows you to reach up to a 5% slope and the simple switch mechanism allows you the ability to lock the head in place – a perfect solution for working around the perimeters! The Uptec Pedestal Tabs utilize sound dampening rubber can be easily switched between standard installation or wood/steel joists.

The Uptec Pedestal System is built solid and durable, boasting some the strongest load capacities within the industry. They can be used with a variety of surface materials and built to any height you need. The Uptec Pedestal System can even be used on existing projects already in progress, making it easy to level out uneven surfaces. Access to service or maintain whatever lays below the floor is simple and easy access without any demolition required. It is the perfect system for your rooftop needs.

Consider the Uptec Pedestal System by Profilitec for your next outdoor project, whether you’re installing porcelain pavers or stone, laying SilcaGrate or seeking a creative way to disguise electrical and piping systems.

You won’t be disappointed!