Homeowners everywhere are always looking for new and creative ways to upgrade their properties inside and out. One of the absolute hottest trends in outdoor design is the incorporation of interlocking wood deck tiles. The tiles can be seen in many different  applications and climates across the country. When you begin looking into a potential remodeling decision, the same questions always seem to arise. Such as, what is the cost, how long will this project take and of course, how do I clean and maintain this product!

Interlocking deck tiles are easy to clean and maintain and it is something you can choose to do on your own periodically to ensure you are getting the most value out of your modular flooring.

Regular leaf blowing or removal of leaves from the interlocking wood tiles is a great way to start. Leaves and debri should come away from the tiles with very little effort. If sweeping or blowing proves unsuccessful to your situation, you can always try a vacuum too.

Creating a good habit of checking for spilled food and cocktails after parties will help keep away extra insects and bugs. Alcoholic beverages are famous for having a high sugar content which will always attract ants like any other outdoor floor.

Aside from keeping the tiles clean and neat, there is also maintenance that can be done. This is the oiling or staining process. There are two chosen routes homeowners take with this step and it all depends on what design and aesthetic you are trying to achieve with your deck.

The interlocking deck tiles are going to naturally fade out eventually to a silver gray look. However, do not be discouraged from this evolution. The silver tone is beautiful and many coastal customers desire this tone because it adds to their motif. If this is the case, little to no maintenance will ever be required. Simply install your new deck and sit back and relax. - You can always change your mind, even years down the road. Give the interlocking deck tiles a good sanding and apply your oil stain per the manufacturer's instructions.

If you are going for a more precise and polished presentation, you will simply re-oil stain the tiles periodically. The process is very straightforward and can be completed in just a couple hours over the weekend with a roller or sprayer. This is not a service that comes around the same time annually for all customers. Depending on climate and UV conditions, it will be at your own judgement when the interlocking wood deck tiles are ready for color maintenance.

It's pretty safe to say at this point that Covid 19 was the metaphorical zombie apocolypse of 2020 that no one saw coming! Schools were promptly shut down and hospitals braced themselves for a high level of patients. Unfortunately, when it comes to business, i think we can all agree that RESTAURANTS took a very big hit! Moving forward with the new laws of outdoor seating recommendations and a smaller customer capacity in general, restaurant owners and managers are left to their own creativity when it comes to navigating the new normal and how to actually turn a profit !

Creating a larger outdoor seating oasis with wood pavers is the most simple and effective method of getting more customers in the restaurant at the same time. In this day in age, there is an effective and stylish way of this mandatory remodel instead of simply throwing some wine glasses at customers in an old tattered parking lot off the back side of the building.

The very first and biggest upgrade you should make to the outdoor area is some modular flooring . Especially the wooden pavers. These products have a vast amount of applications and purposes and what keeps them popular in the outdoor remodel scene is the simple, even DIY in some cases, installation.

How can an outdoor flooring installation be DIY, you are probably wondering. The answer is, the modular wood paver flooring simply rests on pedestals right on top of your old concrete surface. No demolition costs or services, sticky messy materials or stress at all. Customers and employees will not believe the effort you have put in to make them comfortable amydst the current pandemic.

Here at Eco Arbor Designs, we work with you through a thorough and complete design and consultation process. We help you pick a color, figure out your dimensions and put together a map of what to purchase. We charge nothing for these additional services, we simply want you to choose the correct products from our portfolio and be back in business, recovering from the pandemic as soon as possible.

Interlocking wood deck tiles are seen all over the world in many different places because they are smooth to walk on with bare feet, easy to install, a breeze to clean, fashionable, affordable and a beautiful upgrade to your old tattered surface. You will see these interlocking wood tiles in many different weather climates and atmospheres because they are versatile and have many different applications.

Pool decks are in use practically year round in the warmest of climates and typically the focal point of any 4th of July bash. The L'Auberge Del Mar, a sought after luxury hotel in San Diego, is a great example of how installing interlocking wood deck tiles can make a hotel pool deck feel perfect.

Roof decks are always a perfect place to use an interlocking wood deck tile system. The interlocking wood deck tiles are used by designers on a majority of rooftop remodel projects. The tiles are smooth to touch and walk on barefoot without causing splinters.

Patios and terraces are great places in your home to utilize as a tranquil meditation oasis. Upgrading your current surface to interlocking wood deck tiles will give the terrace a brand a new decor motif.

Outdoor showers are a great addition to your backyard pool. The last thing you want is guests and family members dripping chlorine and other chemicals when walking through the home after a swim. A simple and quick installation of an interlocking wood deck tile based outdoor shower will give the option of a shower before or after the pool.

Condo balconies are a great extension of your urban loft. The balcony is also the place you step out to enjoy the view or even a nice glass of wine. If you find yourself buying and investing in a condominium and are looking to make some upgrades to your outdoor living area, installing an interlocking wood deck tile system is an affordable and quick weekend remodel project.

These are all great applications of our interlocking deck tile product that you can see in cities across the nation. The product is versatile, durable, smooth and easy to install. If you think its time to upgrade your outdoor surface, give us a call at Eco Arbor Designs to discuss your unique situation and square footage and we will send over a quote with no pressure to buy!

Porcelain Pavers are an outstanding upgrade to completely transform your outdoor space without a removal of the existing surface. The raised porcelain paver systems are being installed high and low, across the country. Small projects on condo balconies, large hotel and restaurant expansions, roof decks in Manhattan and Los Angeles, you name it! Once your material has been purchased you have the luxury of hiring an installer to lend a helping hand, or the freedom of easily and properly completing the project yourself. Here is a guide of everything you'll need to know about what it takes to DIY a raised porcelain paver system. 

Gather any tools you will need to complete the project. Cleaning products, edge clips or wall spacers if necessary, a level for accuracy, pedestals, a saw for cutting etc.

Clean your outdoor surface. A light sweeping and mopping, allowing time for drying, is all the cleaning that is required. Also be sure of a great weather forecast, no rain or snow before or during installation.

Apply the insulating layer to the pedestals. This is the cushion between the pedestals and the pre existing surface and this is an optional step.

Begin the grid planning around the perimeter edges and configuring where all of the pedestals will be placed. This is an important step as this is the support system to your flooring.

Position a pedestal underneath the center of the slab for a perfectly safe, stable and long lasting application.

Position the clean, dry porcelain slabs on the pedestals. Everything should pop right into place unless a major mistake was made in the planning process of pedestal placement, which is an easy fix that shouldn’t require much time.

Ensure the completed raised porcelain paver surface is level and plane. Not only is a level floor safe, it also adds great value to the aesthetic of the project. The more even and plane your pavers are, the more expensive and high end your deck will look.

Regulate the pedestals if any imperfections are found during the leveling process and place your porcelain pavers back into the grid.

The final step is to gently walk across all parts of the deck ensuring a flawless installation. Porcelain pavers that are installed correctly do not shake or wobble.

Upgrading your old outdoor deck to a new IPE deck tile system is something for the whole family to enjoy and the neighbors to admire. This is the ultimate DIY project to have completed before the Spring season. The IPE wood is durable, reliable, easy to clean and one of the hottest trends in outdoor flooring. Most consumers will choose to stain the deck to match their decor and design motif. The process is simple and to be completed in a short weekend. Here are a few tips, steps, and clues to get you going on your stained and completed outdoor deck project.

Clean the tiles using a regular mop and broom routine and afterwards allow enough time for the floors to properly dry before continuing on to the next step. 24-72 hours depending where you live and amount of moisture and sunshine contributing to the drying speed.

Lightly sand away any scuff marks or major stains. For a small area, sanding the IPE with just a typical pole sander from a local hardware store will be abrasive enough to buff the IPE deck tiles. For decks that have been weather aged for many years and have deep abrasions and scratches, you should rent or buy a high powered floor sander to revamp the old flooring and prepare for the stain.

Very thoroughly brush the deck clean of all dusts. Using a large handle broom, thoroughly brush all the dust and debris away from all the IPE deck tiles.

Check between the cracks to make sure there's no debri in between the planks. Leaves, fuzz and dust can easily become adhered to the IPE deck tiles during the staining process if you aren't vigilant during removal.

Roll, spray or cloth rub your stain onto the IPE deck tiles. All methods are preferred and successful, it’s just a matter of figuring out which technique works for you and your square footage of deck tiles. When plausible, spraying the stain is “easiest” but is not possible in certain situations where stucco or other matter could be stained and ruined during the process.

There is a small surface area of IPE wood noticeable through the cracks so being proactive and inspecting your stain job from all angles and taking a brush to the in between cracks, will ensure an even high quality staining application.

Do not over saturate the IPE deck tiles during your stain application and after 24 hours, check to see if there are any little “puddles” of excess stain and remove them with an old rag or towel. Allow 24-48 hours and double check that the deck is completely 100% dry before placing furniture and other items back onto the deck. 

*You can also spray the backside of the pavers prior to installation, or even do the entire staining process before installation tile by tile and simply install your finished tiles.

Porcelain pavers are a cutting edge product seen throughout homes, patios, balconies, roof decks and commercial properties and are perfect for pedestal roof decks. However, the pavers were not always used for outdoor raised pedestal and exterior systems. The porcelain pavers were traditionally much smaller, thinner and only used for indoor applications or exterior balcony tiles. Through high quality manufacturing and engineering, the raised outdoor pedestal paving system was created utilizing 2cm or double thick porcelain. The outdoor pavers have a high level of manufacturing in this thickness and can wqithstand a tremendous amount of weight.  They are impervious to  quality and are created with the safety components that are required for outdoor flooring such as non slip technology and durability to last through rough and tough weather storms and conditions. The raised porcelain pedestals are also 100% recycled so you will have the pride of knowing you have also made an environmentally sustainable home improvement decision. They are zero mess, no fuss and also give your flooring the same height indoor and out with a seamless and level application. 

Porcelain Paver installation is easy to understand and a great weekend project to take on yourself. The rubber connectors will simply lock the porcelain pavers right into place. Installation is fast and only a limited number of tools are required.

Using adjustable height pedestals, determining the height of your pedestals is a just a few clicks away. If you are looking to add serious height, no problem, the pedestals are stackable. Not only do these versatile tiles exude class, quality, and style, you can install them yourself. Yes, YOU! Self Installation of porcelain pavers allows you to take control of your own project, cut out middle man costs from installers and limit the number of strangers allowed into your home.

Be a boss! Drink a nice coffee, enjoy your morning meditation and don't hesitate taking on your raised porcelain paver system all by YOURSELF!

Transforming your rooftop deck to a luxurious deck turf raised pedestal system is a fashion forward, environmentally sustainable and exciting decision with many long term benefits. Often families living in an urban downtown building, see this turf decking as an opportunity to turn their terrace into a trusted and convenient place for the family dog to use the bathroom. For many, they find themselves wondering if this is the right decision, or will this choice be messy and difficult. Deck turf on a raised pedestal system has amazing drainage and the clean up could not be easier, even if the cleaning is poopoo and peepee. Here are 4 easy and pain free ways to keep that deck turf new and fresh.

1.Water Hose. This is the simple and most effective method of cleaning up. It is chemical free, easy, and doesn't require any planning. Simply be prepared to watch your pet do the business and immediately spray down your deck turf. One of the best parts of using a raised pedestal deck turf system, is that if you do miss a pee, the urine should simply drain all the way out, like rainfall. If access to a water hose is complicated or unavailable, a large bucket of water could work just fine too. 

2.Pick Up Poop in a Timely Fashion. The quicker you act, the less the mess will stick. The recommended procedure is to follow your dog out onto your turf and watch them do the deed and immediately clean it up. 

3.Diluted Vinegar Mixture or Professional Turf Cleaning Product. If you are finding that water just isn't doing the trick, it is time to bring out the big guns! A simple environmentally friendly solution of water and vinegar can be poured onto the affected surface to help really remove the animal smell. Another option is purchasing a turf cleaner engineered specifically for pet clean up on turf surfaces. Be mindful of which cleaner you chose and speak with the manufacturer about the safety of using the product on your particular turf.

4.Scrub with a Cloth. When you pick up the poop with paper towels or doggie bags, you may find that there are small chunks lingering on the turf still. Use a bit of the vinegar mixture and a cloth and gently scrub at the turf until it is clean and residue has dissipated.

Making the decision to add deck turf to your outdoor space is exciting and comes with many benefits. From the satisfaction of knowing you are making an environmentally sustainable decision, removing irrigation costs from your budget, and having a safe place for your children to romp around, it really is a no brainer! But with any great decision, also comes a lot of questions. You might find yourself wondering if you will face issues with mold and mildew in the future. There are a few factors that you have to consider if you are worried about mold. The installation method, location of the project and last but not least, your own personal tidiness.

In the original turf days, 25 years ago, turf matts were laid directly on top of concrete, giving the pools of water after heavy rainfall, nowhere to go. This is a major problem that, in certain places, could have potentially caused issues with mold or mildew. When installing turf decking onto your luxury outdoor space, doing a lightweight raised pedestal system is used to create a proper drainage for rainfall. With rainfall and water having nowhere to pool, you will have no issues with the turf staying damp.

The second thing to consider when pondering the possibility of mold and mildew, is where you live. Are you in a considerably dry climate of Southern California? With light rain and heavy sun, you have nothing to worry about. Damp, humid places, such as Northern California or New York could obviously open the doors to more fog and rainfall, but with a proper installation of a raised pedestal system, that rain should drain right through and cause no issues.

Last but not least, taking overall good care of your roof deck and having good cleaning habits would never be a bad idea. Even in the dryest of climates, a huge pile of wet leaves, a great pack of dogs relieving themselves, or spilled cocktails left to rot, could become problematic. If any of these situations happened to your deck, there are very practical remedies to solve your specific issue. From a diluted bleach solution, vinegar, or deck turf specific cleaners, you are one afternoon of cleaning away from a freshly cleaned turf deck!

Transforming your rooftop deck to a luxurious deck turf raised pedestal system is a fashion forward, environmentally sustainable, great investment and exciting decision with many long term benefits. Having material of this quality installed on your deck will give you the piece of mind knowing that you have chosen a trusted home improvement upgrade that will last many years. One of the many benefits of having an artificial grass installation is the low maintenance upkeep the “yard” requires. No more expensive watering, mowing, chemically treating or fertilizing. However, to keep your turf deck looking pristine, there are a few general rules of cleaning and maintenance that should be followed.

1. Weekly Regular Maintenance. 

Although serious lawn work is not required of artificial grass, a little work will always go a long way. A simple weekly upkeep will extend the life span of your deck and have your guests pleasantly surprised with the pristine condition of the outdoor patio. A few weekly things you could do to keep tidy are, a light hose down of the turf, removal of leaves and debri, and just your average, to be expected, cleanup of pets and children.

1. Monthly Maintenance. 

About every 30 days, is a great time to get back out and give your artificial grass a little revamp. A proper routine cleanup takes little effort and will protect your investment, impress your house guests and give you a serene oasis to relax and unwind. A couple actions you can take are grooming the turf blades with a brush to remain pointed in the correct direction, a deeper cleanup of all debri and an in depth removal of stains and residue.

1. Remove Pet Waste.

Often families living in an urban downtown building, see this turf decking as an opportunity to turn their terrace into a trusted and convenient place for the family dog to use the bathroom. This is an innovative and modern idea that many families are using. There are a couple key points to maintaining the beauty of your artificial grass while letting the dogs share the turf as well. Pick up the poop immediately after your dog does the deed to prevent drying. Spray down the deck with water regularly to keep a flow of the drainage. Use chemical products or a vinegar mixture if smell becomes an issue.

In closing, your duty to upkeep your deck turf raised pedestal system is necessary but also simplistic. A light routine of keeping tidy, removing debri, brushing the blades, and removing pet waste will have you good as gold.