Our 18 year old deck was in need of repair and we were reluctant to replace it with another wood deck. We wanted something more exciting, with more pizzazz.

We were looking for a way to build an above ground tile deck that can survive the Canadian winter and after researching for quite a bit we found the solution with the DexSystems flooring panels and porcelain tiles. The resulting deck is “jaw dropping”, as my neighbor called it, and is maintenance free. There is no grout between tiles and the water drains very quickly.

The following are the main steps we followed to build the new deck:

Removed the top boards of the 18 year old deck which was in need of repair. Used the old joists as the base for the new deck which has a larger footprint.
Demolition of the old deck is a lot of fun!
Discarding top boards from the old deck. The young and the restless don’t need to wheel a wheelbarrow. They just pick it up and go!
Drilling for new pillars to expand the deck’s footprint.
Ensured the hole is below the frost line (deeper than 4 feet).
Preparing the hole to pour concrete for the new pillars.
Pour the concrete.
Expanding the deck and ensuring a flat base.
Installing the DexSystems flooring panels was simple and easy to do with just a power drill and a skill saw with a concrete cutting blade.
Built sitting benches all around the deck using the DexSystem flooring panels and porcelain tiles.
Installing porcelain tiles using the DexSystem glue and small white plastic spacers.
Installing porcelain tiles directly on the concrete of the old veranda adjacent to the deck.
Installed Plexiglas board near the house to allow more light to the basement window below the deck level.
Finished side of deck with plastic boards which are maintenance free, longer lasting and a better match for the porcelain tiles.
Built steps at both ends of the deck using pre-cut step runners and DexSystems flooring panels.
Enjoying the finished deck.
Deck performed admirably during the Canadian winter.

DexSystems was the former entity name for ODF Inc. Early production GRATEDEX® panels were 48”x48”.