When it comes to deck tiles, their installation is the same, whether for indoor flooring or outdoor projects. The only difference is how the floor/base is prepared for the installation.
For an outdoor deck, considerations such as the temperature, constant moisture and sun exposure are important to consider while preparing for the installation. The porosity and viscosity of the tile are also some of the key factors in how well your floor will cope with the extreme environmental factors. Keeping a thorough record of these considerations in mind, you can install these deck tiles on your exterior deck yourself, be it a wooden, concrete, or stone deck – Yes, it is that easy with tanzanite deck tiles.
Let’s get into the process, and Tanzite Stondecks promises you by the end of this article, you will know everything there is to know about installing a fantastic stone deck all by yourself!
Deck Preparation
Step-1
Use a pressure wash and wash the entire structure with a high-shower setting to remove all dirt or debris. Allow the surface to dry completely, then move on to the next step.
Step-2
Cover up the whole deck surface with 15-pound roofing felt. Strengthen up the felt with metal lath and overlap the pieces by one mesh lengthwise to the center of the deck. Be careful not to let the lath touch any walls surrounding the deck structure.
Step-3
Lay down a layer of thin-set by mixing it with a latex additive, a.k.a. the slurry, over the top of the lath using the flat side of the trowel. Make sure to keep the slurry thick enough to cover up the lath.
Step-4
Carefully blend the deck mud according to the package instructions – make sure to follow the directions step by step, making only one exception. Substitute the water with a latex additive to boost the strength and assist the floor to weather the harshness of the outdoor conditions.
Step-5
Carefully spread out the deck mud over the slurry surface, tamping it secure and leveling it down with the help of a two-by-four – all the while maintaining the slope of the deck. Remember, the deck height should be kept at one ¼ inch, and the expansion joints must be located precisely every 8 to 12 feet. Once done, leave the mortar bed to sit for four days.
Step-6
Mount a water-resistant, crack isolation sheath over the top of the deck mud structure, again following the brand’s/manufacturer’s guidelines. Follow all of the guidelines for caulking and seams between the sheath and the vertical walls or allow the walls to overlap.
There you have it; the deck surface is prepared. Wasn’t it fun and an easy project? We think so too. Now let’s move on to tiling the deck – don’t worry, this will be a lot easier.
Read more: How to install stone deck?
Tiling the Deck
Step-1
Begin with snapping two chalk lines across the center of the deck, stretching one in the north to south direction while the other in an east to west direction.
Step-2
First off, start by dry fitting a row of tiles along each line. If you find the need to use less than a half deck tile at the perimeter of your deck, shift the whole row of deck tiles until they touch the opposite end of your deck.
Slices of the tiles must not be placed on the end of a row for an exterior deck tiling.
Step-3
Prepare a new batch of thin-set with water, follow the package instructions carefully. Spread out the thin-set mixture over the sheath, make sure to maintain the same thickness as the tiles using the flat side of a trowel. Cover roughly a three-square-foot area where the chalk lines meet. Rake out the trowel’s notched edge through the thin-set, making lines across the whole area.
Step-4
Start installing the first row of deck tiles in the order these were laid out. Begin to form the center of the marked chalk lines. Place a level on top of the tiles after every two to three tile installations to make sure they are laid even. If you find high spots in the deck tiles, tap them down using a rubber mallet. Insert spacers between every tile once they are leveled. Spread out more thin-set as required, and continue installing tiles until you complete one full row.
Step-5
After the first row, tile the second, third, and all remaining rows accordingly – same as you did the first row. Insert spacers on all sides of the deck tiles. Continue the installation until the entire horizontal surface of the deck is tiled.
Step-6
Make cuts in the tiles around the perimeter and on the outside vertical seams of the deck by using a wet saw. To measure individual tiles, keep the tile in its place, markdown where it overlaps the tile for horizontal tiles, and touch the bottom edge of tiles laid horizontally for the deck edges. Remember to leave space for spacers regardless of where the tile is placed.
Step-7
After completing tiling, leave the work to cure for 2 days or more. Once cured, remove all the spacers between the tiles.
Step-8
Mix a batch of grout following manufacturer’s instructions. Put the grout into the joint, holding a rubber grout float and dragging it diagonally over the joints. Wipe the excess by wiping the surface of the deck tiles with a damp sponge once all joints around the deck tile have been carefully filled.
Redo the wiping process after 20 minutes after you have grouted to make sure no haze remains. Cover the deck if need be and let it cure for 72 hours.
Congratulations, you are now a proud owner of a new deck! Get a free quote or request a sample box for a small price today!
