Stone Deck Innovations

Pavers and concrete are the most popular materials for building a patio, and each offers a variety of benefits. If you’re thinking of installing a new patio, you may be wondering about the differences between pavers and concrete. While both pavers and concrete are attractive choices, you will probably make your decision based on factors like budget, overall look and usage. Here’s a rundown on the pros and cons of pavers vs. concrete for a patio and answers to commonly asked questions. 

What is the Difference Between Pavers and Concrete?

Pavers are individual blocks or bricks arranged to create a unique space or layout. Available in a variety of colours and patterns, design options are unlimited, creating a truly unique and personalized feel to a space.

Concrete is poured and sometimes known as concrete slabs. Less aesthetically pleasing, concrete fans often opt for upgraded stamped concrete to add texture to its look. 

Durability: Pavers vs Concrete

Concrete is usually poured to a depth of about 4-6 inches, making it durable enough to withstand the freeze & thaw cycles of Canadian winters. It doesn’t last forever though, and you’ll need to replace a concrete patio at some point. Concrete slabs will sometimes crack or split if the ground beneath shifts. Concrete is also very porous and will absorb spills, potentially staining it. Repairs to concrete are obvious, marring the appearance. 

Pavers, on the other hand, are all about the installation process, the base underneath them in particular. If you use a thermally protected product like GatorBase underneath, your pavers will remain level for a lifetime. These products also offer the additional benefit of easy installation with less labour and ultimately, lower costs. Should pavers become stained, individual pavers can be removed and replaced while maintaining the visual integrity of the installation.

For load-bearing strength, pavers are the superior choice. While concrete is indeed strong, pavers can withstand up to 4X the weight that concrete can handle. 

Safety

Both concrete and pavers are quickly damaged by rock salt and concrete slabs can be very slippery. If you will need to walk on the concrete during the winter, you’ll want to upgrade to stamped concrete to add texture for safety or apply products for slip resistance. Pavers on the other hand have texture built right in, making them the safer choice. If your concrete is not graded correctly, you may face issues of water pooling on the surface. Pavers on the other hand have natural drainage through the joints, eliminating this issue.

Ease of Installation

While your skills may vary, many DIY’ers find installing pavers relatively easy and uncomplicated, especially when using a base product like the aforementioned Gatorbase. Because there are no large components or equipment necessary, a paver stone patio can be installed virtually anywhere. Concrete on the other hand can be a little trickier and require a more advanced skill set to create a base and get the grading just right, and your space will need to be accessible by a large cement truck. You may also have to order and pay for more concrete than you need, due to minimum order requirements. 

Types of Pavers

Pavers come in a variety of materials and styles. Stone pavers are a popular choice for decks and patios and options are available to suit any budget. Concrete pavers are made of a mix of materials including concrete and topped with a sealant. Interlocking pavers create a more structured look and are easiest to install, however, these are more expensive. Porcelain pavers are exceptionally versatile, offer unlimited design options and are ideal for projects that demand total visual continuity. You can also find pavers made of brick, marble and other materials and pavers are available in a wide range of colours and shapes.

Concrete is poured in uniform grey slabs for strength and sometimes finished with a stamping process to improve its aesthetics. 

Whether you choose concrete or pavers, a patio is sure to enhance your enjoyment of your outdoor living space, while also improving your home’s value.

Building Up – When You’re Short on Space, Consider a Rooftop Patio

Building the deck or patio of your dreams is not always possible. Densely packed homes in the city with postage-stamp-sized yards have limited outdoor living space, making entertaining and even staycations uncomfortably tight. 

A great solution that urban dwellers are catching onto is to build above their home, making better use of the space up above. Often the envy of one’s neighbourhood, rooftop patios make outstanding entertaining spaces and are becoming more popular thanks to innovations that make them easier to construct. Not only will a rooftop patio give you additional living space with a dazzling view, but you’ll also appreciate cool breezes and an absence of insects. 

New advances in construction technology are making the building of rooftop patios and decks easier than ever. Creating a rooftop patio can now be done with relative ease, even on roofs that are sloped. A variety of recent innovations engineered for the building of raised floors, decks and rooftop patios have hit the market during the last couple of years, resulting in no space being off-limits anymore. With these products, you can now design the perfect rooftop patio you’ve always dreamed of.

Easier Than Ever

Constructing a rooftop patio is now easier than ever when you have the right components. Once you clear the bureaucratic hurdles like building permits, zoning and fire codes you can get started. 

The magic ingredient to making it all happen is a pedestal system. Adjustable pedestal systems are straightforward to use, typically comprising of only a handful of elements. Most importantly, they offer adjustable pedestal heads which can realize an angle of up to 5%. The perfect solution for addressing sloped or uneven surfaces, pedestal systems are durable and weather-resistant, making them ideal for rooftop projects. 

Canada Pedestal Systems offers a variety of quality pedestal systems from reputable and highly-regarded manufacturers including Eterno Ivica, Bison Innovative Products, and Uptec by Profilitec. Each one of these can be easily integrated by both contractors and DIY’ers alike.

Pedestals also make it easy to obscure plumbing & electrical under your rooftop patio, yet have easy access to them when required. Pedestal systems also offer additional benefits, including impressive load-bearing strength, and they allow water to quickly drain away, improving safety.

Pedestals do a great job of supporting surface materials at ground level, but when building your rooftop patio you’ll want to integrate a mid-level component to properly support your stone or tile surface material. This middle level will help to reduce the load on any particular point while avoiding putting too much pressure on your home’s roof. Consider a product like Silca Grates, which can act as a subfloor to support your surface material, while distributing weight across a wider area.  Silca Grates work perfectly with pedestal systems, and can easily support the surface covering of your choice, whether 6-inch planks or heavy natural stone. 

Layered on top of your Silca Grate middle layer, the sky’s the limit when it comes to designing your surface. Simply choose something weather-resistant, durable, and long-lasting. Ceramic or porcelain tiles and natural stone are trending and offer the advantages of being virtually maintenance-free. You may want to look into high-quality products like Frontier20 Porcelain Pavers from Landmark Ceramics, Kronos Porcelain Pavers, or Del Conca Porcelain Pavers & Tiles for an, especially stylish look. 

Constructing a rooftop patio is easier than you might think, and will improve the value of your home along with your enjoyment of the additional living space. Pedestal systems make previously inconceivable ideas easily achievable. Now, no location on your property is off-limits. Make the most of your unused space and expand your outdoor living area with the help of pedestal systems. 

While that outdoor patio or another hardscape project may appear to be level and properly installed, once spring arrives many people find out the hard way that their project has suffered the ravages of winter’s freeze & thaw cycles. Those perfectly positioned patio stones, bricks or even porcelain pavers are now a mess after heaving and settling for months. 

It used to be that to install a hardscape correctly, one had to excavate as much as 12-inches deep, before filling with sand or crushed stone to ensure a relatively level surface year after year. It was a lot of work and money too, with sometimes unpredictable results. 

Fortunately, cutting-edge innovations have made this task easier and more affordable. Silca SoilGrid is one such product that makes the in-ground installation of porcelain pavers, concrete pavers, brick or natural stone much easier, even on sloped surfaces. By stabilizing the base materials and eliminating the disruption, your hardscapes will remain stronger and level year after year. Perfect for patios, parking, driveways, paths or even concrete replacement, the Silca SoilGrid system allows quick ground reinforcement with modern paver design in a fully permeable manner.

How Does Silca SoilGrid Work?

Specifically designed for ground applications, Silca SoilGrid creates a heavy-duty and permeable base stabilization that reduces settling issues while offering a wide load distribution. When you use Silca SoilGrid during your hardscape installation, it reinforces the ground surface without sealing it. Silca SoilGrid eliminates the disruption caused by heaving and settling pavers by stabilizing the base materials. This will ensure your project will remain level for years.

What Other Features Does Silca SoilGrid Offer?

Silca SoilGrids can be cut to size and shape and allow you to use a variety of fill materials providing complete design freedom. Sold in pre-connected sheets, installation is quick and easy. Large areas can be installed by a single person without the need for heavy construction equipment, making it the ideal choice for contractors and DIY’ers alike.

Its permeability helps to avoid the drainage and infrastructure problems that can over-burden stormwater infrastructure and lead to flooding. Because the grids are permeable, they are much easier and faster to level if you choose sand as your fill material.  UV-resistant, weather-proof and unbreakable, the system comes backed by a 20-year warranty.

How Will Silca SoilGrid Save Me Money?

Time is money! With Silca SoilGrid, you only need to excavate to half of where you normally would. This means less labour, less dirt to dispose of, and less sand or aggregate required. Because the Silca SoilGrid system cuts your excavation time in half, you’ll save on the labour cost of all that unnecessary excavation. It will save you up to 50% on the excavation and up to 40% in labour costs. If you are a contractor, you’ll have fewer warranty call-backs due to pavers shifting and settling. In the simplest terms, you’ll get better results for less money with less work.

By bringing greater stability to your base materials, you’ll create stronger hardscapes when you choose the Silca SoilGrid heavy-duty linking grid system. So strong in fact, that completed installations will even support vehicular traffic.

Are you ready to build a stronger hardscape while saving time, labour and money? Choose the smartest solution for solid, long-lasting results that reduce labour and materials. 

As Canadians are spending more time closer to home this summer, many are upgrading their outdoor living spaces, making them not only a more enjoyable place to spend their time but also adding to their home’s value. 

Considering the escalating price of wood these days, many people are looking for more upscale and durable solutions to building or upgrading their patios, decks and pool areas.  Instead of choosing composite or ever more expensive pressure-treated lumber to surface their deck, people are opting for outdoor porcelain tiles, which are growing in popularity. After all, not only are outdoor tiles stunningly attractive, but they are also a great alternative offering a long list of benefits including longevity, durability, greater impact on home value and increased enjoyment of your outdoor living space. 

Outdoor porcelain tiles practically eliminate the need to maintain and repair your deck, particularly when it has metal framing under it. You’ll no longer need to restain or reseal it every couple of years or replace cracked and warped boards. Instead of repair and maintenance chores every summer, you need only hose it off occasionally with a quick power wash. Porcelain tiles will last you a lifetime, letting you spend more time relaxing on your deck instead of maintaining it.  

Not limited to decks and patios, porcelain tiles are also a great idea around the pool instead of stamped concrete. Their look is significantly more upscale, not unlike that of a 5-star resort. Available with a variety of slip-resistant finishes, porcelain tiles are an ideal choice for safe outdoor surfaces.

Frontier20 porcelain tiles from Landmark Ceramics are an excellent option for those who want to take their deck or patio to new heights. This collection of high-end porcelain pavers is designed to create upscale architectural landscapes in both residential and commercial spaces. Combining outstanding aesthetic features with strong technical performance, this unique product meets the same threshold expected of the best porcelain pavers. 

Boasting unique strength and hardness and capable of resisting external abrasions, Frontier20 porcelain pavers offer exceptional load-bearing abilities and are even strong enough to be used for driveways. Resistant to both frost and thermal shock, these high-quality tiles easily stand up to salt damage, moss & mould, scratches, stains, and fading. With nearly limitless uses, Frontier20 can be installed anywhere you want a hard surface, and enjoy their beauty, durability, and minimal maintenance for years to come.

In addition to being ideal for a vast range of applications, Frontier20 also offers versatile installation. Install Frontier20 tiles on a traditional sand and substrate foundation, mortared bed or even grass for an eco-friendly, permeable solution. These adaptable outdoor ceramic tiles can be easily installed around the most intricate of landscaping features and are available with a full range of special trim pieces designed to seamlessly complete and accentuate the landscaping of your outdoor space.

Offered in a variety of sizes in both square and oblong proportions, Frontier20 porcelain pavers can ensure complete design freedom in any project. Giving you the design effect you want, Frontier20 tiles are not simply limited to a natural stone appearance but are also available in woodgrain, quartz, slate, limestone or concrete finishes with the advantages of natural stone. 

Aside from all the advantages mentioned above, Frontier20 porcelain tiles deliver important ecological benefits as well. Not only does porcelain not release any harmful substances into the air or soil, but it is also completely recyclable as well as odourless, hygienic and hypoallergenic. An environmentally friendly option, Frontier20 porcelain tiles are easy to remove & re-use and can be laid without the use of adhesives, making them a socially responsible choice.

Providing outdoor beauty, functionality, and performance to any space or application, Frontier20 porcelain tiles are suitable for deck surfaces to poolside, driveways, walkways terraces and rooftop patios, or any space you’ve been dreaming of. Take your outdoor living space to a whole new level with the Frontier20 collection of beautiful, functional, and high-performance outdoor porcelain tiles.

Canadians in every corner of the country love spending time on their decks. Canadian winters can be brutal and long, and a deck is a great place to spend our short yet beautiful summers with friends and family. 

As most Canadians are spending their downtime closer to home these days, constructing a deck tops their list of home improvements this summer. Enjoying our own deck, in our own backyard is one of the highlights of a staycation. As so many homeowners hurry to make improvements to their outdoor living space, lumber prices have rocketed to astronomical levels. Undeterred by the escalation of wood prices, demand is unceasing, impacting the price even further. Not only has the expense of building a wood deck increased significantly, but in many places, it is simply unavailable, at any price. 

Wood is not the only material with which your deck frame can be built. Metal or aluminum are also viable options, offering numerous advantages too. Previously, most deck builders defaulted to wood, because it was available at a good price, dealing with its necessary maintenance, repairs and even replacement every few years. 

This year, the situation has changed completely. The price of wood and its availability have made this summer the perfect time to forego wood and choose metal framing for your deck. Remarkably, metal deck framing is now less expensive than wood, and easily available, which offers you the opportunity to frame your deck on your own timeline and save money too. 

Before the marked increase in wood prices, the cost of framing a deck with pressure-treated lumber was steadily in the $3 to $5 per sq-ft range. During the past 12 months, that figure has risen to $6 per sq-ft. Likewise, 2”x8” lumber now costs $3.20 per linear foot on average. These numbers are now in line with the cost of framing your deck with metal, which is consistently priced at $6 per sq-ft and $3.17 per linear foot. Astonishingly true, metal deck framing is now less expensive than wood!

One excellent example of a metal framing system to replace wood is Bailey Truedeck. Pre-cut to the exact length required, assembly is straightforward and easy enough for most DIY’ers as well as contractors. The system’s longer spans mean fewer footings are necessary, saving your time, money and labour. Constructed of corrosion-resistant galvanized steel, Bailey Truedeck does not suffer from the ravages of rot and insects, making it a long-lasting decking option. Paverdeck Planks is another metal decking platform system to consider. It is designed to work with more durable decking surfaces including natural stone, porcelain or ceramic tiles or concrete pavers, creating a completely maintenance-free deck that will last a lifetime. 

Metal deck framing comes with a wide range of advantages over wood including:

• Longevity – Engineered to last a lifetime and will not need rebuilding every 10 to 15 years.
• Low Maintenance – Metal decking requires nothing more than a quick power washing.
• Always Level – Metal deck framing will not shrink or warp, leaving you with a flatter base for your decking surfaces.
• An Environmentally Friendly Option – Greener than pressure-treated wood, metal decking is not treated with chemicals and insecticides, which leach into the soil. 
• Versatility – Use metal deck framing in new builds, or to replace your existing wood framing.

A beautiful deck is the centrepiece of a great backyard. Enhancing your enjoyment of your outdoor living area while adding value to your home, a backyard deck is an essential aspect of the Canadian summer experience. When you choose a metal-framed deck, you’ll spend more time on your deck enjoying the summer instead of maintaining it. 

Deck season is right around the corner and many of us are looking to build a new deck or fix up our existing deck. Since most Canadians are sticking closer to home this year, upgrading our outdoor living spaces has become a priority for some. 

Thanks to a variety of factors, Bailey Truedeck metal framing is shining this season, offering all the benefits and advantages of metal decks at the same price as wood. With the price of lumber skyrocketing over the past year, the cost of building or reframing a wood deck is now equal to that of using metal framing for your deck. 

Before 2020, the average cost of framing your deck with pressure-treated lumber was $3 to $5 per square foot. Fast forward to 2021 and those costs have jumped to $6 per square foot. Similarly, the price per linear foot of 2”x8” lumber has climbed to $3.20 per linear foot at any of the well-known big box stores. Those prices are now in line with the cost of Bailey Truedeck metal deck framing, which remains at $6 per square foot and $3.17 per linear foot, making metal deck framing less expensive 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. 

Metal decking offers numerous advantages over wood. First and foremost, metal decks are engineered to last a lifetime. Constructed of corrosion-resistant galvanized steel, you won’t need to rebuild or even repair your deck every few years. Rot, fire, and insect-proof, your deck won’t suffer from damage caused by the elements and termites, remaining durable for decades.

Metal does not shrink or warp, providing a flatter base for your decking materials, and keeping it flat. It will not split or swell, preventing damage to your deck surface. A metal-framed deck will extend the lifespan of your deck surface, saving you time, work and money. 

Every Bailey Truedeck component is perfectly engineered to the exact length you need, eliminating the need to cut at the job site, maximizing efficiency and making their decking structures easy to assemble. The product’s precision engineering means that the pieces fit perfectly, the first time. Due to the product’s longer spans, your decking project will require fewer footings, saving you even more time, labour and money. 

Throughout its lifespan, a deck is exposed to the ravages of harsh weather conditions all year round, and wood deck structures will require regular maintenance, which can add up quickly add up in time and money. Metal decking structures such as Bailey Truedeck will not only stand up against the elements, but you will also save countless hours every year in maintenance, hours you can instead spend enjoying your deck.

Incredibly versatile, metal decking can support virtually any decking surface, including natural stone. It can be used on ground-level decks or even elevated structures like balconies. With metal deck framing, the sky’s the limit when it comes to creating a beautiful outdoor living space that will last a lifetime.

Constructed of high-quality galvanized steel, certified to Environment Canada’s Environmental Choice Program, Bailey Truedeck metal decking materials do not contain the chemicals and insecticides found in pressure-treated lumber and are a recyclable resource, offering an environmentally friendly alternative. 

Your deck should be constructed on the strongest, most durable structure possible, and its framing is as important as your choice of decking surface material. Bailey Truedeck will help you to build the most solid, well-made, and enduring deck possible, one that will last a lifetime.

As we watch our cities grow, we watch properties get smaller and smaller while homes, condos, and apartments seem to get bigger. Despite this, there is a real desire by consumers to have livable outdoor spaces. The designers are responding to this demand by incorporating large usable balconies and rooftop patios. The challenge now for the homeowner or contractor is how to transform that balcony or rooftop to a beautiful maintenance-free living space. Thanks to pedestal deck systems, this is not only possible but relatively simple.

When you think of most balconies, they are either a concrete slab or wood-framed with plywood and a waterproof membrane and both are sloped for drainage. Rooftops can be of similar construction with an appropriate waterproof membrane, with possible drains or mechanical systems installed. In either of these cases, pedestal deck systems allow you to create virtually whatever living space you desire, without having to connect through any waterproofing membranes. They allow you to easily adjust for any pitch or slope and work around any obstacles.

A pedestal deck system is composed of adjustable supports, that level and uniformly space pavers or tiles for proper water drainage and airflow. The various pedestal deck systems available on the market are extremely versatile and strong, allowing for support from as little as 1/8 of an inch to 3 inches and coming with various accessories to make any installation possible.

As there are many pedestal deck systems out there, we will look at two of the best ones available on the market today to better explain these systems and the concepts around them.

Bison Innovative Products are manufactured in the USA and have two main pedestal lines. The Level is more of a basic pedestal line that can hold up to 750 lbs per pedestal, while the Versdjust can hold up to 1250 lbs per pedestal and comes with a base leveling system that allows you to adjust up to 8 degrees without shimming.  In addition, Bison Innovative Products manufactures exotic wood tiles, porcelain pavers and very modern, stylish site furnishings that are specifically designed to work with their pedestal system.

Eterno Ivica pedestal systems are manufactured in Italy; they support similar weights to the Bison pedestal line and have 3 lines of pedestals depending on your needs and tolerances. Their top line, the SE model, has a leveling system that will adjust up to 5 degrees.

Deck pedestal systems can be placed and positioned to support framing joists, the Bison Joist Topper is perfect for making this connection quick and easy. This method of using the deck pedestal systems is a similar concept to building a deck. The pedestals are the footings supporting the framing, and on that framing, you can install, wood planks, composite decking, Silca System with stone, porcelain pavers and even artificial turf.  With the increasing popularity of porcelain tiles, especially ones that mimic wood planking, this method of installation would be a more preferred option. By using the framing and Silca System to support the porcelain planking, you will not require as many pedestal units.

The other method of installing deck pedestal systems is have them support specific manufactured and engineered wood tiles, stone or porcelain pavers. For most of these types of flooring options, the greatest recommended span between pedestals is 24 inches. So, you are laying the pedestals down in a 2-foot by 2-foot grid, even when working with larger tiles, like 24” by 48.”  Some exceptions may apply, that is why it is always best to check with the manufacturer of the product to see what they recommend and will warranty it against.

Since deck pedestal systems are in essence raised floating floors, running any electrical, lighting or gas lines for a fire feature are simple to install. Another great benefit of this system is you can easily lift up the floor tiles to access any of these mechanical items to service them or do any repairs to the roof or balcony if needed.

As Canadians, we love spending time outdoors, so if you have a flat rooftop or balcony you want to transform into a beautiful, livable space consider using one of the many deck pedestal systems on the market.

Building stairs for your perfect deck is always one of the most challenging aspects. Regardless of whether it’s stairs up to the deck or from one deck level to another, the right balance of the rise and tread can be tricky. The industry recognized this and 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 terminology around them.  The tread represents the depth of the step and is typically 11 inches. The rise represents the height of the step and is typically 7 inches. A stringer, also called a string or stringer board, is the housing on either side of the stairs – this is what the treads and risers are fixed on to. Then there is the box step, which refers to a deck stair system that is created by stacking platforms onto each other to create the steps.

When comparing these build methods of deck stair systems, there are some key differences and advantages to both. Either of 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 they will have available deck stair system kits. These are relatively inexpensive and easy to assemble. They will have either wood or aluminum stringers, precut treads and screws. They limiting factor with these types of kits is the size of the rise and tread and number of steps available. 

Whereas the pre-fabricated deck stair systems can be limiting, it is relatively simple to create your own customized stairs. Stringers can be cut to a slight varying degree of rise and tread depending on the size of lumber you use.  In most cases, to create an average size rise and tread you will need to use at a minimum a 2” x 12” or larger piece of lumber. The box stair method of construction can be built using various sizes of lumber, allowing you to create whatever size of rise or tread you like. 

As noted, these methods of construction can be used to create wood, composite or stone deck stairs.  The base of all these deck stair systems remain the same, constructed from either pressure treated or cedar lumber. When wood or composite are the choice for cladding, the rise and treads are screwed directly onto the framing.  The best option is cladding with stone, and you can use a product like StoneDeks Silca System, or Evolutiondecks Tiledeck first to support the stone. The below links 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 constructing stairs for a stone deck, a more traditional method of stone construction would need to ensure the base is properly constructed.  This would involve excavation, followed by preparation and compaction of the granular base. As each step level is built using stone, 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. With the introduction of innovative products such as StoneDeks Silca System, or Evolutiondecks Paverdeck or Tiledeck, this challenging method of constructing stone deck stair systems is a thing of the past!

As you can see there are many options for deck stair systems available to you, from pre-manufactured 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.

Creating a solid base is key when you are getting ready to build your new deck – regardless if it’s wood, composite or a stone deck. For those of us who live in Canada, winter and ground frost is a real concern.  So, do deck supports shift with ground frost? The answer to this question is no – IF you choose the appropriate deck support for your job and you install them correctly.

To properly answer the question of do deck supports shift with ground frost we should quickly look at what ground frost is. As a high level assessment of ground frost – moisture is absorbed and held within the ground materials and as this moisture freezes it expands.  As this material expands, it is displaced and can displace objects within, around or on its surface.

These are some points to consider in determining what deck supports are right for your job; what do local building codes require?  What is the size, weight and elevation of your deck?  What are the soil conditions that the deck is being built on? Besides the building code aspects, there are other factors that will determine whether deck supports shift with ground frost.

(Please keep in mind these points are for purposes of discussion and any actual building plans should be validated by a qualified source.) 

If you are dealing with sandy soil conditions, you will already have an advantage. Sandy soil will hold less moisture and will be less affected than any freeze-thaw cycles. If compacted properly, sand compacts well, with little to no settling.  In this case, it is entirely possible to create floating deck footings, which are adequately sized concrete blocks or pads, placed where required as per the design of the deck.

Clay soil is on the other end of the soil spectrum, and is the most problematic as it can cause deck supports to shift with ground frost when using floating footings.  Clay will hold a lot of moisture and as a result of freeze-thaw cycles, will cause it to move and shift.

By far the best and most reliable way to prevent your deck supports from shifting with ground frost is to use in-ground footings. These are either concrete footings or mechanical screw piles, both of which are installed below the frost line.  Your geographical location will dictate the depth of the frost line, dependent the average cold temperatures and how long they last.

You need to determine the diameter of the footing required when installing concrete footings, and it is important to bell the bottom.  This is to create a base that will act as an attached base pad that is wider than the footing itself. This accomplishes two things – provides more support to the bottom of the concrete footing, but more importantly prevents the deck support to shift with ground frost. Have you ever seen a fence installed and after one winter all the posts are pushed up and sideways?  This is caused by the installer digging straight holes down and pouring cylindrical footings that are easily pushed up by ground frost. You will find ground frost over 36” deep in some regions of Canada. When designing your concrete footings, it is important to determine the load requirements for each to ensure they are constructed appropriately.

So, to prevent deck supports shifting with ground frost mechanical screw piles are the best choice.  With mechanical screw piles, there is no guess work in ensuring you have the correct footings for your deck.  Most reputable screw pile companies are able to recommend the appropriate size of pile, depth and torque it should be driven to, based on the size and weight of the deck and snow loads where it is being installed. By virtue of the design and nature of a screw pile, it is prevented from being pushed up. There are several choices when it comes to choosing the option of supports for you deck.  If you select the appropriate one for your job, you will have no issues with your deck support shifting due to ground frost.

The demand for hardscape landscaping in people’s back yards has increased dramatically over the past years. The use of interlock or patio stone decks allows for the creation of spectacular, maintenance-free living spaces. And you can’t beat the natural look, durability and easy maintenance of stone – and aging just increases its beauty!

A patio stone deck helps mitigate many factors that make traditional interlock installation techniques complicated, including 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.

There are now several companies that have developed unique products providing easy construction of patio stone decks. Stonedeks’ SoilGrid 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 deckare time of installation and structural stability. These innovative products rely on their design and the geosynthetics used for stability and longevity rather than traditional interlock installation which relies heavily on base preparations. 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 popularity.

To demonstrate, we can look at the installation of one of these products. StoneDeks’ SoilGrid 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 calls for shifting, movement or settling.

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

The disturbed soil is compacted once the excavation is done, 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. Finally, to finish your patio stone deck, simply lay the desired stones and sweep in the polymeric sand.

These systems are able to withstand the Canadian climate because of the way these patio stone deck systems lock together, and the use of geotextiles to hold the various layers of materials in place.

The cost of a patio stone deck can be equivalent to standard interlock ground installation, but it is important to consider the time, waste and other materials that are needed for a traditional 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 Stone Deck Revolution!