Decking Materials Defined
EvolutionDECKTM structures are compatible with most surface finishes. Selection depends on your budget, desired look, and local availability.
Galvanized Steel.
Galvanized steel has a coating of zinc on the surface to provide sacrificial corrosion protection to the steel, unlike barrier protection like a paint. Zinc has been used to hot-dip-galvanize steel for 250 years, and provides 50 to 75 years of corrosion protection in many environments. Data collected about galvanized steel field performance in various environments indicates that zinc is better at preventing corrosion more than other surface treatments such as paints. Because of this long-lasting protection, galvanized steel requires no maintenance and therefore no maintenance costs. Cut or exposed edges from screws or field cuts remain equally protected from corrosion without requiring any repair coating. READ CORROSION PROTECTION FOR LIFE.
Travertine Stone Pavers/Tile.
Travertine pavers are ideal for use on decks because they resist heating (due the lack of metal content in the stone), and are freeze-thaw compatible. Travertine pavers have a non-slip surface, and can withstand weathering and erosion without deteriorating. There is a wide range of colors available in Travertine pavers, from single colors to elegant veined colors. Travertine pavers require little/no maintenance, and are a natural hard-wearing stone. Some people opt to seal travertine pavers every few years to reduce risks of permanent staining. The Coliseum and many other buildings that are thousands of years old are made out of travertine and are still standing today.
Granite Stone Pavers/Tile.
Granite is famous for its strength, hardness and eternity, and has reputation for being virtually indestructible even in frost conditions. With inherent strength it is popular with architects that require their granite pavers to last for many generations to come. Granite requires no maintenance apart from regular sweeping and hosing down, and generally will not stain if the spill is removed quickly. However, to reduce the risk of permanent stains, it is recommended that you seal your granite pavers at least once very few years. Granite Pavers are slip-resistant and ideal for outdoor applications.
Concrete Pavers.
Concrete pavers come in many shapes, patterns, and colors, which allows for design creativity. Dry-cast concrete pavers are extremely dense and have exceptional strength, stability and durability, and are unaffected by the extremes of heat and frost. Although pavers are porous, they are generally easy to maintain with regular sweeping and occasional rinsing. To reduce the risk of permanent stains, you can opt to seal the pavers every few years. Unlike natural stone, concrete pavers have a limited lifespan of up to 30 years.
Porcelain Tile.
Porcelain tiles are dense and have low water absorption (below 0.5%) making them freeze/thaw compatible. Porcelain tiles on decks are unglazed, slip resistant, and through-body in color. These tiles tend not to show wear as the porcelain is very durable (harder than granite). Porcelain's low-absorption quality inhibits staining and makes the tile easy to maintain. Sealers are not recommended. Maintenance involves regular sweeping and occasional rinsing (stains if any can be addressed with porcelain cleaners)..
PVC Decking.
Whereas wood-plastic composite decking is made from recycled wood and plastic, PVC decking contains no organic material such as recycled wood, and is therefore mold resistant. PVC decking is also more resistant to scratches and stains, and requires little if any maintenance other than regular sweeping and occasional rinsing. Color and texture selection mimics natural and exotic woods and varies by manufacturer. With any manmade material, some color fading should be expected. Lifespan varies with manufacturer.
Note: There are also other compatible surface finish options such as IPE wood tiles (with plastic backer), rubber tiles, concrete etc. We do not recommend the use of wood composites or wood in direct contact with evolutionDECKTM stuctures due to their susceptibility to moisture pickup, staining, mold, and large expansion/contraction. The selection of a surface finish is personal and should be based on careful review of all available information.
wood structure begins decay from harvested from the forest, average-sized wood deck consume gallons of cleaner and oil-based stains and sealers over lifetime. EvolutionDECK are complete structure and sub-floor platform allowing for stone, tiles, pavers, or other maintenance-free finishes. Galvanized structures have longer life than traditional treated wood, reduces the demand on our forests and landfills. Galvanized structures completely recyclable. EvolutionDECK manufactured from recycled steel will not warp, check, split or rot. Do not need to be stained, sealed or painted. With no maintenance costs and long life without high replacement costs, galvanized steel system good investment in your home. wood decks certain to devalue, the long life of evolutionDECK system appreciates with the value of your home. EvolutionDECK offers design freedom. Not everyone wants the traditional deck board appearance for outdoor living space. EvolutionDECK can design with angles or curves, and allows to use any number of finish choices in any pattern. choose from stone, tile, PVC finishes with no or little required maintenance, or other finishes such as PVC decking, concrete pavers, and IPE wood tiles with minimal required maintenance. EvolutionDECK system pre-engineered to satisfy Building Codes in Canada and the United States. Using galvanized steel for structures supports sustainable development as it meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. With no required maintenance, galvanized steel has zero-carbon footprint during its lifetime in use. treated wood deck structure may last over twelve to fifteen years, it takes from twenty five to eighty years to recycle suitable replacement tree. We are depleting our forests. Forests are important in moderating climate, regulating water systems, preventing erosion, alleviating air pollution and providing wildlife habitat. Reducing the demand on our forests one way to minimize these impacts. Galvanized steel structure can last over sixty years without maintenance and at the end of its life it completely recyclable. alkaline copper quat ACQ can corrode fasteners and pose other problems. structural problems can occur ACQ lumber has very corrosive affect on most metal fasteners that are used to hold wood boards together. reports of deck collapses due to premature fastener failures with serious injuries. restrictions and cautions with ACQ as it may come into contact with food. Treated wood disposed of in landfills or burned for fuel in cogeneration plants. In landfill, treated lumber does not completely decay and burdens declining landfill space and may leach chemical contaminants into our drinking water. Incineration not solution since burning can release heavy metals and carbon dioxide through emissions into the environment.
