A COUTURE CANVAS

No matter what your outdoor project, ensuring that you find the right materials, the right installers and the right solution for your home are the most critical components to success. Design + Decor recently spoke with Todd Zecher, president of Bergen Brick Stone & Tile Co., to get his take on choosing the best materials for your outdoor hardscape spaces.

When asked about the newest trends for pavers, stones and bricks for outdoor hardscape, Todd notes that size is the biggest contender. Bergen has 14 color and texture varieties in 40- by 40-inch square porcelain tiles in stock to meet demand. Customers who are looking for something contemporary and sleek with fewer grout lines are very pleased with this product. While the tiles themselves may have a rustic or natural stone visual, the actual shape of the porcelain paver, he says, is contemporary and works fantastically in nearly any setting.

How is the tile setting determined? There are two primary setting styles. First is a hard system, which is much like a typical tile installation. Usually installed over concrete, the tile is laid out and grouted, which makes it impermeable to water and requires considerations for drainage near the installation. Second is a full drainage or permeable system. As it implies, this system allows for water to flow through the pavers or tiles, which are laid on a gravel bed with spacers to prevent them from hitting one another, and the gaps are filled with polymer sand. These installations are popular where rainwater is prevalent and in climates that experience freeze/thaw cycles, to help prevent cracking and frost heaves.

No matter the system used at your home, Todd stresses the importance of having the right product and the right installers. Porcelain tiles are a trend because their man-made composition means a consistent size, color and cut every time—but that doesn’t make them perfect.

Before selecting a tile, make sure you understand the product warranty. While most companies offer a single-year warranty, Bergen Brick offers a 10-year warranty on particular lines, and is working to enhance that across its products. And when it comes to selecting an installer, insist on one who is certified by the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) or the International Concrete Paver Institute (ICPI). Certification ensures that your installer understands the proper way to prepare the site, cut and prep the tile, and install the tile itself.

Resource:

Bergen Brick Stone & Tile Co. Todd Zecher, President 685 Wyckoff Avenue Wyckoff, NJ 07841 201.891.3500 bergenbrick.com