A spacious restaurant terrace, a cozy veranda or a gazebo in the country is perhaps everyone's favorite place to relax. And although a terrace or veranda is an open outdoor structure, in which the floor is the main thing, if you take the right approach to the creation, choice of materials and arrangement of this corner, you can make a comfortable, cozy and safe place to relax in any weather.
Using the example of the floor, which is the main element of a terrace or veranda, Polyroot experts tell in the article what materials are used to equip the flooring in these locations and what is better: decking or tiles.
What materials are most often used to cover the terrace
So, a terrace is an open or semi-open area, which in most cases is built as an external extension to the main building or separately from it. That is why the material used for outdoor flooring must be extremely strong, resistant to various external factors, practical, wear-resistant, and of course, durable and easy to maintain. The following materials meet these characteristics and are among the most popular materials used to create terrace flooring:
- Natural wood. A classic option for terrace flooring, which, in addition to being environmentally friendly and attracting attention with its beautiful natural appearance, is also distinguished by the fact that the wood floor is quite warm. However, natural wood requires regular and specific care, as it can lose its appearance and functional properties and is relatively expensive.
- Ceramic tiles. The floor on the terrace made of ceramic tiles is highly resistant to damage under the influence of any weather conditions. However, even in summer, the tiles can be cold to the touch, and during precipitation, they get wet and become quite slippery, which is dangerous and traumatic.
- Natural or artificial stone. The stone is strong, resistant to the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation and temperature changes, as well as durable, but quite expensive, plus it takes a lot of time and effort to install.
- Decking made of wood-polymer composite. It is a modern material that combines the natural look of wood with high polymer resistance. Therefore, WPC is characterized by a long service life, resistance to mechanical damage, decay processes, and is easy to install and does not require special care.
Although natural wood and stone have a number of significant advantages, it is decking made of wood-polymer composite and tiles that have been used most often for the manufacture of terrace flooring by ordinary buyers and professional designers for several years in a row.
Let's compare decking and tiles
Choosing between WPC decking and ceramic tiles is not an easy task, as each material has certain advantages and disadvantages. What are the key advantages of decking over tiles? Using the main characteristics of each material as an example, let's compare which is better: WPC or tile.
Aesthetics and design
The exterior, interior and overall design of the terrace is of particular importance. Because it is not only a place for a cozy and comfortable rest, but also an architectural element that should be harmoniously combined with the overall style of the house and the adjacent territory. And if we consider the flooring, it is the decking made of wpc that looks and textures as much as possible like natural wood, which allows you to create a warm and cozy atmosphere on the terrace. In addition, you can buy a decking board of any color and texture that best matches the exterior of the house and the interior of the terrace.
In turn, ceramic tiles are presented in stores in a variety of designs - from imitating the look of natural stone or wood to modern abstract patterns. However, the tiles are not only cold to the touch, but also look rather cold and formal, and therefore it is difficult to integrate them into the design of a country house terrace.
Ease of installation
One of the main advantages of decking made of wpc is a fairly quick and easy installation to any surface. Thus, the decking board can be easily cut into pieces of the required length, securely fixed with special clips, without visible fasteners, seams or gaps. But laying tiles takes much more time, requires a professional approach, the manufacture of a special base and the use of adhesive mixtures, and this increases the cost of installing a ceramic tile floor several times.
In addition, no matter how professionally and accurately the tiles are laid, in an open space, under the influence of precipitation and sudden temperature changes, the tiles can quickly come off the base and be damaged. In this case, the floor covering needs to be restored or completely renewed.
Durability and resistance
In terms of durability and resistance to negative environmental influences, decking and tiles are characterized by almost the same indicators. However, decking made of wpc, unlike tiles, wins a little. For example, a decking board made of wood-polymer composite is quite resistant to ultraviolet radiation, moisture, fungi and mold, which makes it an ideal choice for creating a floor on the terrace. In addition, WPC does not crack, dry out, or require regular painting or finishing, which significantly reduces maintenance costs. On the other hand, tiles are also a durable material that is resistant to weathering. But, as we mentioned above, it can crack, and over time, the joints between the tiles can become dirty, leading to mold and mildew.
Safety and comfort
Safety and comfort are the key advantages of decking. And it is the WPC decking that does not get wet even during precipitation and high humidity conditions and retains its anti-slip properties, which makes it absolutely safe in all weather conditions. Also, even in summer, under the influence of high temperatures, the deck made of WPC maintains a comfortable temperature that is pleasant to the touch. Whereas tiles, especially glossy ones, become slippery in conditions of high humidity, which increases the risk of injury.
What is better to choose, decking or tiles for your terrace
To summarize, the choice between WPC decking and tiles depends on your personal priorities and operating conditions. If you are looking for a terrace covering that combines aesthetic appeal, ease of installation, durability and safety, a wood-polymer composite decking is the perfect option. Decking made of WPC will not only help you create a cozy atmosphere on the terrace, but will also serve for many years. You can buy a high-quality decking board from wpc on the website of the Ukrainian manufacturer Polyroot, which offers wpc from natural raw materials at an affordable price.
