VIFAH Snapping Deck Tiles"getting hardwood deck is easier than ever"

What are Snapping Deck Tiles?

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Snapping Deck Tiles (or sometimes referred as Interlocking Deck Tiles or Wooden Deck Tiles) is a do-it-yourself product designed for the average homeowners. It instantly gives consumers a solid hardwood floor on the patio, balcony, roof top, next to a pool or spa, and also kitchen and bathroom areas in a couple of hours - without the hassles of building a deck in the conventional way in multiple days. Most importantly, the floor is economically reusable - just simply unsnap the deck tiles on one floor and resnap them on another floor !

How does Snapping System work?

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Each tile has connection points along its edges. To connect two tiles together, position the connection points along the entire edges, apply downward pressure on the connection points until all of the connection points are snapped together.

Sharing Your Experiences !

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Extracted from a note from Richard, a customer in New York, on 07 July, 2006
"Hi again. Just fyi, I put your sample tile through a rigorous test - freezing and thawing, as well as trying to burn with cigarettes - and it still looks perfect!"

Extracted from a note from Beverly, a customer in New Jersey, on 02 August, 2006
"The snapping deck tiles are an absolutely fantastic product. They are constructed to be used easily and efficiently yet are stable and sturdy. Working with them was also an easy task, as it was simple to lay them out and snap them together. The only tools that were essential in constructing the deck were a ruler and jigsaw. As for the cutting of the deck tiles, simple, simple , simple. This product created a lovely deck, out of a shingled balcony. I know that the tiles will withstand time for they are manufactured with excellent materials. We will enjoy our new deck for many years to come."

Environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable

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VIFAH Snapping Deck Tiles are environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable.

As one of the original, leading metal and wood factories for more than a decade, VIFAH passionately creates Snapping Deck Tiles of exceptional quality while keeping to its mantra that the natural environment must be always protected. These tiles are made from FSC-certified eucalyptus, plantation-grown acacia hardwood, FSC-certified teak, non-endangered shorea hardwood, and especially eco-friendly bamboo.

VIFAH is actively managing its tree farms and other natural resources. In the Dac Lac province alone there are over 200 tree plantations that supply eucalyptus, shorea, and teak for their factories. The eucalyptus and teak are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. Shorea is plentiful, considered non-endangered, and approved by the government for harvest, and they are re-planting it in areas where it is harvested.

Plantation-grown acacia is grown in other areas of Vietnam and is another hardwood used extensively. Eucalyptus and acacia are the fastest growing trees and can be harvested in 15 – 20 years. Shorea is typically harvested in 30 – 40 years and teak is slower growing and is harvested in 50 – 60 years. The growth rate of the trees determines the cost of the wood. In Dac Lac we saw plantations with mature trees ready for harvest, newly harvested and replanted areas and acreage with trees that were 5 – 10- 20+ years old.

For instance, non-endangered shorea, a hardwood growing naturally and plentifully in Vietnamese protected forrests, is a good material for Snapping Deck Tiles. In Vietnam, shorea has been the wood of choice for centuries in shipbuilding, furniture, houses, and many other uses. Because of its hardness and the natural oils present in the wood, shorea products are extremely resistant to fungi, termites, rot and decay. In addition, the wood is also carefully kiln-dried prior to production. It is indeed heavier and denser than teak. Some basic statistics from Wood Explorer Database that compares teak to shorea.

	Shorea	Teak
Price	Shorea furniture is generally half that of teak furniture
Environmental Status	Non-endangered	Endangered
Density	52 lbs per cubic feet	39 lbs per cubic feet
Impact Strength	35 inches	25 inches
Work to Max Load	14 inch lbs per cubic inch	11 inch lbs per cubic inch
Toughness	491 inch lbs	227 inch lbs
Weight	49 lbs per cubic feet	37 lbs per cubic feet
Hardness	1642 lbs	1038 lbs

Very high quality bamboo (really grass, a non-endangered species) is grown in the northern part of Vietnam near Hanoi. Vietnamese bamboo was considered to be of higher quality than that which is found in China, and China is indeed importing a large amount of bamboo from Vietnam.

VIFAH makes its own hardware, fittings, and plastic bases for the tiles from recycleable materials.

Features of Snapping Deck Tiles

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Indoor/outdoor covering for patios, decks, balconies, porches, walkways, surrounding pools and hot tubs
Pre-treated, expertly kiln-dried, extremely durable hardwood
Mold, mildew, fungi, termites, rot and decay resistant
Backed with unique plastic interlocking grid for easy installation
Fast snap-together installation with no nails, staples or glue
Easy to remove, re-arrange and re-lay tiles
Interchangeable styles to create patterns
Wood slats permit water to flow through
Plastic feet elevate for drying airflow
Environmentally friendly non-endangered hardwood from controlled forests

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q. What uses are there for the tiles?
A. Any exterior areas such as rooftops, patios, decks, balconies, porches, and next to the pools, and interior floors such as sunrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and basements.

Q. Can I cut the tiles?
A. Yes, easily with any general saw blades. This is probably the only tool that you will need for the installation.

Q. Do I need to apply any finish to the snapping tiles?
A. The tiles come pre-finished with a sealer protecting against the weather. However, like any other exterior products, it’s recommended to retreat the wood occasionally with any deck finish available in your local stores or our Tile Maintenance Kit.

Q. How hard is it take to install the tiles?
A. Extremely easy. The tiles are designed like a set of jig saw puzzles that snap together with little force required. Anyone in the house can install the tiles in a couple of hours and enjoy the floor right away.

Q. Should I fill the gaps between the tiles with grout?
A. No. The purpose of the gaps is to make water drain away from the wood. Trying to fill them with any materials will only trap moisture inside the tiles.

Q. How many tiles do I need?
A. Each tile covers approximately one square foot. However, we recommend to add 10% extra tiles to your project. For example, it is advised to have 110 tiles ready to install a 100-sqft area.

Q. What are the tiles made of?
A. Only non-endangered, certified, and finest-grade exterior woods are carefully selected. The plastic bases are UV-resistant composition of polypropylene and polyethylene. The screws are marine-grade gavenized stainless steel.

The Rate of Weathering

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The tiles come pre-finished with a sealer protecting against the weather. However, like any other exterior products, it’s recommended to retreat the wood occasionally with any deck finish available in your local stores or our recommended maintenance kit.

How-To-Install Snapping Deck Tiles

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Step 1: Unpack the package

Step 2: Lay down the first tile

Step 3: Snap the second tile onto the first tile via the connection tabs

Step 4: Snap the third tile to the second tile via the connection tabs

Step 5: Snap the fourth tile via the connection tabs

Step 6: Continue snap the remaining tiles until completion.

ENJOY YOUR FLOOR !

Project Idea: Balcony Deck

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Here is a recent remodeling project on an balcony with Snapping Deck Tiles in New Jersey. What a great job with cutting the tiles to fit the edges!

Project Idea: Remodeling Patio

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Here is a recent remodeling project on an existing patio with Snapping Deck Tiles in Winston Salem, NC.

Project Idea: Roof Deck

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Here is a recent roof deck installation in Brooklyn, NY. Pictures taken by Neil Bar-or.

Click on the below pictures to see the larger versions.