LinkDeck Installation Guide
Easy - No Special Tools Required
Suitable for any hard surface

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No special tools are needed to lay LinkDeck... just a tape measure, sharp knife, screwdriver and handsaw (and then only if you need to cut the tiles to fit around pipes or posts or to fit irregular shapes.  Everything you need for quick and easy installation is included in each box of LinkDeck Decking Tiles. 

	Step 01 - Prepare the Surface LinkDeck Decking Tiles can be laid over most hard surfaces... just make certain that the surface (concrete, asphalt, gravel, hard dirt) doesn't have large cracks or uneven areas.  If the surface is particularly uneven or has large cracks, we suggest leveling the surface with patching compound or filler. On hard dirt surfaces, sand or gravel, we always recommend laying a weed control barrier under the tiles.
Clean the surface
	Step 02 - Plan Your Deck Design If you're unsure of the design you want,  firstly lay some tiles in the pattern that you think you might like, without actually clicking them  together. Alternatively sketch your design on paper or click here to use our interactive "Deck Design Tool" to check out different design combinations. The possibilities are endless!  Click Here to See LinkDeck Style Choices
Position the tiles
	Step 03 - Lock the Tiles Together Start by placing the first tile in the corner of the area you want to cover.  Align the connecting tabs on the edge of this tile with the corresponding connecting tabs on a second tile. Push the second tile down so that both tiles lock firmly together. Repeat this simple "snap in place" process, working in a diagonal direction across the area you wish to cover.
Snap tiles in position
	Step 04 - Finishing Touches Special reducer strips (edge finishers) are available which clip onto the edge of the outer row of tiles to provide a neat, professional finish to your design. After the tiles are laid, we recommend applying a quick coat of decking oil/sealant (see recommended products list) for additional waterproofing and added protection against mold, mildew and discoloration caused by the sun's harmful UV rays.
Create More Livable Space

Installation Tips and Tricks
Beautiful, Durable... Easy to Install!
Ideal for any hard surface!

• Although the installation of LinkDeck Decking Tiles is very straightforward and trouble-free, there are a few simple tips and techniques we have learned over the years that can help make installation even easier. 
  
  

• If you're not quite sure of the final design you would prefer, lay some tiles in the pattern you think you might like. without actually snapping them together. This will save you time and effort "un-clicking" the Decking Tiles if you decide later to choose a different design pattern.  Once you are set on the design that you like, just snap the tiles in place!
  
  

• When you start laying the Decking Tiles, you'll find the installation much easier if you work outwards from one corner in a triangular manner so that you are expanding the size of the triangle as you lay the tiles.  This will help make your installation even easier and more consistent!
  
  

• If you're planning to install LinkDeck in an area that is bordered by walls on two sides, we recommend that you don't lay the tiles so they are touching the boundary walls, unless you are certain the walls are perfectly at right angles to each other.  If the angle of the two walls is less than 90° (which is often the case) and you haven't left an appropriate gap against one of the walls, then you could have a minor alignment issue as you continue to lay the tiles.  This is not a major issue, but by planning ahead, you can make the installation even easier!
  
  

• If you need to fit the tiles around pipes, posts or other fixed objects, you can easily cut the tiles with a hand saw, power saw or jigsaw.  The best way to do this is to make a cardboard template the same size as the decking tile. Cut the template to the exact size of the fixed object you need to fit around, then use this template to cut the tile to the same size. With any tiles that are cut, make sure that all the wood slats are securely fastened to the plastic base with at least two screws, adding extra screws as necessary via the preformed screw holes in the base.  The process is simple!
  
  

• We recommend that you leave a small gap against any boundary wall during your installation to allow for any possible slight expansion of the wood or plastic base due to temperature or climate variations.
  
  

• If you are installing the tiles on a patio, balcony or rooftop with open sides, we recommend you start laying the tiles from the outside of the decking area and work inwards towards the wall of the house.  So if you need to cut any tiles to fill the remaining gap, the cut tiles will butt against the wall of the house.  This is very easy to do and will give your deck design a professional, finished look!
  
  

• If you are laying the tiles over an existing surface and think you might want to remove them some time later and take them with you if you move (this is a great idea for apartment dwellers)... then we recommend you place a black plastic sheet or other protective sheet under the tiles to prevent the floor beneath from becoming stained when you apply any maintenance coat of decking oil.  You can then re-use your decking tiles in your new home!
  
  

• If your deck has a gap of less than one tile's width against an inside wall or around a fixed object after you have laid all the complete tiles, a simple alternative to cutting a tile to fill the gap is to fill the space with pebbles, volcanic rock, bark or other landscaping material.   This also opens up many more creative possibilities!
  
  

• You may also like to consider leaving out a Decking Tile or two, then filling the space with other design accents, like pebbles or colored rock. You can mix and match for endless variety!
  
  

• Although you can give your deck a professional finish with our Decking Tile reducers (edge finishers), another alternative is to finish the outside edge of their deck, patio or balcony by using a length of L-shaped anodized aluminum (about 1" x 1") and screwing this onto the decking tiles.  This can be useful in situations where you have cut the decking tiles to finish a particular design and are are no longer able to clip on the reducers, or at the edge of step.  Either way, LinkDeck offers easy edging solutions!

LinkDeck Care and Cleaning
Years and Years of Enjoyment!
Easy to care for!

• After you've installed your LinkDeck Decking Tiles, we always recommend coating the tiles with a good quality decking oil/sealant to help provide additional waterproofing and added protection against mold, mildew and discoloration caused by the sun.  After that, we recommend reapplying a simple quick coat every twelve months or so... dependant on the type of oil/sealant used, the local climate conditions and the degree of exposure to the weather.  This simple step will ensure many years of  enjoyment!
   

• We strongly recommend using one of the more specialized decking sealant products when coating our LinkDeck Decking Tiles.  The following list of manufacturers supply products using UV inhibitors and/or transparent iron oxides which provide superior protection compared with more simple decking oil products.  These specialized products will help maximize the durability, beauty and value of your decking tiles. 
  
  Suggested products include:

PPG Olympic Maximum - water and oil based
Flood CWF-UV Penetrating Oil Finish
Penofin Penetrating Oil Finish
Behr Weatherproofing Wood Sealer
Thompson's Water Seal
Messmers's UV Plus for Hardwood Decks
Defy -Deck Stain for Hardwoods - water based

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Beautiful, Durable... Easy to Install! Ideal for any hard surface!