Interlocking Rubber Deck Materials

Benefits

• Interlocking rubber deck materials often come in terra cotta, gray and brown colors that mimic clay, stone and brick tiles or pavers. Black, blue, green and other colors allow homeowners to create geometric designs on decks that resemble interior linoleum floors. Many rubber-decking products are environmentally friendly because they're made from recycled rubber and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Interlocking rubber decking is usually easy for homeowners to install, and its slip-resistance prevents injuries from falls.

Glue and Peg Installations

• Some interlocking rubber tiles need an adhesive to stay in place. One product made by SofSurfaces has overlapping edges that are glued together so that the rubber tiles stay attached to each other without being adhered to the deck. Rubber decking from Environmental Molding Concepts doesn't require an adhesive for installation, because pegs on the sides of alternating tiles slip into holes of adjacent tiles to hold the decking in place. Installing rubber tiles without adhesives allows homeowners to replace damaged or worn sections without having to remove all of the decking.

Puzzle-Piece Decking

• Rubber decking may fit together like puzzle pieces, as the Eco-flex Keystone interlocking mats do. This decking is shaped so that the 37-square-inch mats interlock with each other on four sides, making it unnecessary to glue them in place. However, you need to install the mats on a level deck with a smooth surface so that the edges fit together snugly, since pegs or glue don't hold them in place.

Considerations

• Many types of interlocking rubber tiles are on the market; it's important to choose a product that's designed for use on outdoor decks to prevent drainage problems. Rubber decking is usually porous so that rain and melted snow flow through it. Rubber tiles with grooves on the back also aid drainage, because water and air can flow freely around the grooves to prevent moisture from getting trapped and spurring mold growth. Wood decks covered with rubber tiles may rot if the tiles don't allow for sufficient drainage. Interlocking decking can be pricey, ranging from about $5 to $14 per square foot, as of 2011. Thicker rubber tiles in popular colors tend to cost more.