Elevating outdoor design with StoneDeks

By Emma Peterson. 

StoneDeks eliminates the constraints of conventional deck construction, providing the beauty and permanence of stone in elevated outdoor spaces. 

19 years ago, Bart Stuchell noticed that people “loved the look and permanence of stone, but traditional deck construction limited what was possible.” This sparked an idea for him – what structural system could he create that would give them the best of both worlds? The result was StoneDeks, a system that allows for the installation of real stone, porcelain and pavers on elevated, standard deck frames. 

How does this work? StoneDeks uses a polymer grate system that is installed on traditional wooden deck framing to create long-lasting, low-maintenance deck systems. The parts of the StoneDeks system include:  

• SilcaGrate™ — This is the aforementioned polymer grate system that converts wood, steel or aluminum deck frames into stone-ready structures. Each grate weighs four pounds and can hold virtually any stone or porcelain paver. This system was designed for drainage, airflow, long-term durability and ease of installation. 
• SoilGrid™ — A stabilization system that reinforces the sub-base materials by sitting between the SilcaGrates and the pavers. Prevents settling, improves load distribution, stabilizes soil and reduces the need for backfill/aggregate by up to 50%. 
• Silcaspacers™ — Spacers that keep pavers in place. Comes in two types, flexible black (perfect for ground application) and rigid black (ideal for deck/elevated installations). 

By using these products together in one system, contractors are able to create stunning stone decks, docks, balconies, rooftops and more out of any stone paver and with any finish you can imagine! Additional benefits include:  

• Improved access: The StoneDeks system allows hardscape professionals to match their work to elevated surfaces, such as the interior of a house. This helps eliminate trips and falls from stairs for the elderly and young children as well as give other professionals better access to things like plumbing and wiring. 
• Smoother installations: By eliminating the need for backfill and the headache that is material settling, StoneDeks not only makes the initial installation more efficient (saving on labor costs), but also reduces callbacks. 
• Engineered durability: StoneDeks provides strength, drainage and a fire-proof finish that translates into reduced maintenance and long-term performance. 
• Long-term savings: The best part? StoneDeks comes at a competitive cost that is comparable to composite and vinyl decking while simultaneously upscaling projects and increasing your customer's home value.  

Today, over 2.5 million square feet of SilcaGrate™ have been installed across residential and commercial projects – a testament to the value and benefits of this StoneDeks’ system.  

Learn more about these products at www.stonedeks.com.