RECONNECTING TO OUR NATURAL ECOSYSTEM

Central to emerging residential design trends is the push to reclaim the backyard and unite indoors and outdoors as a single space. Biophilic design principles have steadily risen in popularity in recent years, with an emphasis on creating calming, plant-filled environments that establish a visual connection with nature.⁸ Experts say that the desire for more natural light and useable outdoor spaces are the most important and essential features for today’s homeowners.⁹

Modular Flexibility

Outdoor decks connect residents to the physical environment using natural materials, such as wood and stone, and incorporate vegetation and greenery into an individual’s regular routine. Regular interactions with the outdoors are proven to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, expedite healing, and improve a person’s mood and focus.

Selecting a modular deck system provides architects the design flexibility to create unique and beautiful rooftop environments and outdoor spaces and allows homeowners exceptional diversity in creating their space. Design professionals can include a mix of pavers and surface materials including wood, stone, structural porcelain, crushed rock, grating, artificial turf, and concrete, as well as integrated planter cubes and benches, to create unique, custom looks.

Versatile, adjustable pedestal deck systems can be utilized over any structural surface: on bare structural decks, rooftop decks, roof membranes, green roofs, terraces, compacted grade, pavement, pool surrounds, or water features. Modular deck systems offer quick and easy installation. Fastening kits facilitate secure installations of wood tiles and paver-tray-backed pavers without harm to the tiles or pavers. Built-in bottom slope-leveling mechanisms provide pedestal stability and adjustability, even once loaded. Tab sets on each pedestal allow for consistent tile or paver spacing. From utilizing unused space in the city, upgrading a porch or backyard in the suburbs, or creating a luxurious oasis by the sea, rooftop decks can be a solution for a variety of homeowners while also creating valuable outdoor space.

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When combined with a proprietary foam core, fiberglass doors are among the most energy efficient.

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Emerging residential design trends emphasize wellness, light, and a better connection to nature, as well as energy efficiency and performance.

Taking Recycled Materials Outside

Biophilic design emphasizes direct interaction with natural materials. Using deck and exterior products that have a modular design for surface materials and accessories allows designers to fulfill an abundance of different design visions without the need for custom or costly materials. Harnessing the power of recycled and certified materials, modular decks bring additional advantages to the table. Offering tremendous design flexibility, coupled with ease of installation, adjustable pedestal deck systems provide a unique and viable alternative to traditional deck building materials and methods.

Leading manufacturers have created wood deck tiles that are commercial grade and available in standard and FSC® Certified options. FSC®-certified wood, used in outdoor decking, comes from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® to meet high global standards for forest sustainability. FSC® certification assures wood products have positive environmental attributes and are backed by a global system of verification. Certain manufacturers are taking outdoor deck materials one step further, engineering planks and tiles from remnants or shorts from other milling operations.

Made from recycled content and fully recyclable at their end of life, sustainable decking products are manufactured in an environmentally sensitive and efficient manner. These systems can help achieve prerequisites and accumulate points in the following categories of LEED: Materials and Resources Credit 4, 6, and 7, in Material Content with Recycled Content, contributions to LEED | SITES points, and Indoor Environmental Quality by using low VOC Sealants and Finishes.

Wood tiles are crafted from premium grade remnants and material harvested in an environmentally responsible method. The material harvesting is designed to preserve the economic viability of rainforest hardwoods. Wood species include fused bamboo, cumaru, garapa, ipê, itauba, and tigerwood. Tropical hardwoods contain a rich variety of graining and coloration, are exceptionally dense, and resistant to insects. These commercial-grade, high density wood species weather well, allowing for minimal maintenance. If maintaining the wood color is desired, wood tiles can be periodically cleaned and sealed. Left to weather naturally, the wood tiles will develop a silvery-gray patina. Weighing one-third as much as concrete tiles, wood tiles are a good alternative when surface material weight is a factor.

When combined with pedestals, wood tiles offer one of the most labor- and cost-efficient methods of creating a flat, level deck over a sloped sub-surface. Manufacturers today offer domestically made pedestals constructed out of high-density polypropylene plastic, comprised of 20 percent post-industrial recycled content, that are also 100 percent recyclable. Pedestal deck support systems are impervious to water, mold, and freeze-thaw cycles. Using a gravity system, the supports protect roofing membranes and waterproofing and do not damage or harm the surface below. Pedestal systems can support decks over occupied space, allowing cavity space for electrical systems, duct work, and irrigation. Deck supports are designed to elevate a variety of substrates, including granite or concrete pavers, wood tiles, composite materials, fiberglass grating, or conventional wood decking systems.

Modular decking naturally accommodates site furnishing, including planters and seating or storage. These modular units are designed to integrate perfectly with modular pavers in a pedestal deck system, making it easy to design a custom, beautiful outdoor environment. Modular cubes can host plant life in the summer and be repurposed for seating and storage in the winter. Lightweight, durable, powder-coated aluminum modular trays expand the design options for rooftop environments. Used as a containment system for architectural rocks or other deck elements, low-clearance trays work with the modular pedestal system to add dimension and texture to deck areas. Incorporating a pedestal system can provide pedestrian access to green roofs. Modular decks installed with a pedestal system provide the opportunity to turn underutilized or wasted outdoor spaces into a functional amenity, extending indoor living space or generating an outdoor oasis of its own.

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The added insulation core helps to reduce energy consumption and building operation costs by sealing out the elements.

Mississippi Modern – Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Utilizing a roof as a deck leads to endless views and an unhindered connection to the surrounding ecosystem for this home in Minnesota.

Contractor: Ben Richter, Detail Homes
Partner: JF Architectural Products

This stunning single-family home was featured in the Fifth Annual Artisan Home Tour Event by Parade of Homes in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The rooftop deck at Mississippi Modern features large format modular decking in smooth six plank ipê wood tiles, laid in a linear fashion. The deck is supported by residential-grade pedestals. The modular wider-planked wood tiles compliment the aesthetic of the modern-looking Adirondack chairs. The cable deck railings afford unobstructed views of the surrounding scenery and give the decking the appearance of extending into the horizon, creating a rooftop oasis.