Top 5 Alternative Deck Tile Materials - Rubber, Plastics & Turf
By Created: August, 2017 - Modified: February, 2024
Greatmats offers an excellent selection of high-quality deck tiles to fit your vision and ideas. With five top-quality deck tile materials to choose from, you can select deck tiles that deliver the specific performance that you want.
At Greatmats, you can choose from the following types of deck tiles. These alternatives to wood or composite decking offer an optimal combination of durability, eye-catching looks, and an easy installation process. They can easily be installed over top of existing wood decks.
The most popular wood-alternative decking materials are:
- Rubber
- PVC Plastic
- Polypropylene Plastic
- Turf and Rubber
- Artificial Grass Carpet
1. Rubber Deck Tiles
Rubber deck tiles are an eye-pleasing, functional choice for spaces with heavy foot traffic and kiddos. Rubber flooring works particularly well for patios and decks around homes, condos and apartments. It is durable and cushions falls, which makes it perfect for a home outdoor play area. Deck tiles made of rubber are waterproof, non-skid, non-absorbent and mildew resistant; ultimately, great for outdoor spaces.
Greatmats' rubber outdoor deck tiles are made from materials of the highest quality. Each tile undergoes extensive performance testing, which confirms structural integrity and increases overall customer satisfaction.
The Sterling Roof Top Tile is one of our most popular deck tiles. This tile features interlocking edges and is made of a heavy-duty rubber, so it’s suitable for outdoor use. The tile features recycled rubber, an eco-friendly choice, and is available in multiple color options.
2. PVC Plastic
Plastic deck tiles are another fantastic option for foot traffic and play, particularly in water-prone areas. Greatmats offers a variety of perforated plastic outdoor deck tiles that are designed for use around wet areas such as pools, hot tubs, outdoor showers, and top decks. Plastic deck tiles yield a secure, stable, and attractive environment.
Most perforated outdoor deck tiles are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a flexible yet sturdy, non-absorbent material. This outdoor decking has an elevated floor design that allows water to drain through and leaves the top surface dry and safe for moving feet. The top surface is not only slip-resistant but comfortable to walk on barefoot. Underneath, each perforated deck tile is supported by hundreds of pegs. Plastic deck tiles are a smart way to keep people safe and stress-free while walking around accident-prone areas.
Plastic deck tiles also offer excellent temperature control. Because of the drain-through feature, perforated deck tiles do not hold heat. Plastic deck tiles remain cooler and more unaffected than other materials in super hot weather.
Our StayLock Perforated Tiles feature a stable surface that’s slip-resistant for safety. The tile’s composition is flexible, offering a bit of cushioning for comfort. The connectors on the edge make it easy to install the tile, and water can drain through the perforations.
3. Polypropylene Plastic
Polypropylene plastic tiles feature a more rigid construction, and they’re known for their durability. Thanks to their firm structure, these tiles can be used over slightly uneven surfaces, like dirt. The firm plastic is strong, and the tiles can be installed and then removed again as needed.
Polypropylene deck tiles with perforations help to drain water away quickly, preventing standing water from pooling and contributing to the safety of your deck. They also feature a slip-resistant surface for extra safety.
Products like our Portable Outdoor Tent Tile offer excellent durability to your deck. They feature click-together edges for an easy and fast installation, so you can quickly cover a larger space. These tiles are available in two colors, so you can choose the look that you prefer for your deck.
4. Turf and Rubber
If you want to maximize the comfort of your deck, consider deck tiles made of a combination of turf and rubber. Turf is an aesthetically pleasing way to enhance your deck, and it’s comfortable and has a natural feel underfoot. Turf offers great drainage when installed correctly, and it can be an ideal surface if you plan to spend time on your deck barefoot or with your pets.
A rubber backing adds durability and strength to turf. Rubber creates extra cushion, ideal when installing turf over a hard surface like concrete.
With a product like our RageTurf Ultra Tile, you’ll enjoy the benefits of turf and rubber. The turf layer is 12 mm thick, while the rubber base adds shock absorption and slip resistance to keep the tile securely in place. This tile is suitable for indoor and outdoor installation, and it’s made from 90% post-consumer rubber, so it’s an environmentally friendly choice, too.
5. Artificial Grass Carpet
In many situations, artificial grass rugs can make an ideal deck tile on its own, too. Fake grass rugs adds a beautiful look to your deck or patio. It can be a great way to create a natural appearance that blends in well with the surrounding yard or environment.
Grass turf rugs also adds valuable comfort to the space. It’s an ideal choice if you want to spend time relaxing with kids and pets, and the surface is forgiving in case of a fall or tumble. Fake grass carpet also drains well to help prevent standing water, plus you’ll enjoy a beautiful look year-round without worrying about weeding, watering, or mowing.
With a product like our GreenSpace Artificial Turf Mat, you can take joy in relaxing with an inviting look, feel, and vivid colored mat, made of premium, eco-friendly synthetic fibers that are specifically designed to resist matting and crushing.