A deck should be comfortable enough to use during the best parts of the day. But anyone who has walked barefoot across a hot composite deck, PVC board, or rooftop surface knows how quickly outdoor materials can become uncomfortable in direct sunlight.

That is one of the reasons more homeowners, architects, builders, and commercial property owners are looking beyond traditional decking materials. They want an outdoor surface that looks premium, performs long term, and remains more comfortable underfoot in warm, sunny conditions.

Mbrico is designed to help solve that problem.

By combining reinforced outdoor porcelain tile with an engineered deck system, Mbrico provides a surface that can stay cooler to the touch than many traditional decking materials, especially dark composite, PVC, wood, and concrete surfaces exposed to direct sun.

The Quick Answer: Why Does Mbrico Stay Cooler?

Mbrico stays cooler to the touch because it uses outdoor porcelain tile instead of traditional deck boards.

Porcelain is dense, non-porous, UV stable, and highly durable. It does not absorb moisture like wood, soften like plastic-based decking, or rely on surface coatings to perform outdoors. When paired with lighter colors and an elevated system design, Mbrico can reduce the uncomfortable heat buildup commonly associated with many outdoor deck surfaces.

In simple terms:

Mbrico does not try to make a plastic board cooler. It replaces the board with a better exterior surface.

Every Outdoor Surface Gets Hot in Direct Sun

Before comparing materials, it is important to be clear about one thing: every outdoor surface gets warm in direct sunlight.

Wood gets hot. Composite gets hot. PVC gets hot. Concrete gets hot.

The difference is how much heat the surface absorbs, how long it holds that heat, and how comfortable it feels underfoot.

That is where Mbrico has a major advantage. Instead of using a wood fiber, capped composite, or plastic-based walking surface, Mbrico uses exterior-grade porcelain tile. Porcelain is naturally suited for demanding outdoor environments because of its dense, stable structure.

Porcelain Reflects More and Absorbs Less

One of the biggest factors in deck surface temperature is solar absorption.

Dark surfaces absorb more solar energy. Light surfaces reflect more solar energy. That is why black asphalt feels hotter than light concrete, and why darker deck boards often feel hotter than lighter ones.

Mbrico porcelain tile is available in colors and finishes that can help reduce heat buildup compared to many darker decking materials. Light grays, creams, tans, whites, and stone-inspired tones are especially effective choices for projects where sun exposure and barefoot comfort matter.

This makes Mbrico a strong fit for:

Residential decks
Pool surrounds
Rooftop terraces
Balconies
Hospitality patios
Amenity decks
Outdoor dining areas
Commercial roof decks

The surface still feels like a premium architectural material, but it does not carry the same heat-retention concerns that often come with dark composite or PVC boards.

Why Composite and PVC Decking Can Feel So Hot

Composite and PVC decking have improved over the years, but many products still struggle with heat in direct sun.

That is because many traditional deck boards are made with plastic, wood fiber, or capped synthetic surfaces. These materials can absorb and retain heat, especially in darker colors. Once the board heats up, the surface can become uncomfortable for bare feet, pets, and children.

Some manufacturers now offer heat-reducing technologies, lighter color lines, or specialized caps to help address the issue. That alone shows how important surface temperature has become for outdoor living.

Mbrico takes a different approach.

Instead of modifying a deck board to perform more like a cooler surface, Mbrico uses porcelain from the start. The walking surface is not trying to imitate stone or tile. It is porcelain tile, reinforced and supported by a complete deck system.

The System Matters Too

Mbrico is not just a tile placed outdoors. It is an engineered deck system.

The reinforced porcelain tiles are supported by aluminum tracks, creating a stable elevated surface. This system helps manage drainage, airflow, and long term movement beneath the deck surface.

That matters because outdoor comfort is not only about the top layer. A deck surface also needs to manage water, temperature change, and structural movement over time.

With Mbrico, water drains below the surface instead of soaking into the material. The porcelain does not swell, warp, splinter, or cup. The aluminum track system provides consistent support, helping the surface remain stable through changing weather conditions.

The result is a deck that feels different because it is built differently.

Better Comfort for Rooftops and High-Sun Applications

Surface temperature is especially important on rooftops.

Rooftop decks, amenity spaces, and balconies often receive intense sun exposure throughout the day. In these applications, material selection directly impacts how usable the space feels.

A rooftop surface that becomes too hot can limit the value of the entire amenity. People avoid it during peak hours. Guests wear shoes when they would rather be barefoot. Outdoor furniture, planters, and gathering areas become less inviting.

Mbrico helps create a more usable rooftop environment by combining porcelain’s surface advantages with an elevated system designed for drainage and stability.

For architects, developers, and property owners, that can make the difference between a rooftop that looks good in renderings and one that people actually enjoy using.

Better Comfort Around Pools and Outdoor Living Areas

Pool decks and residential outdoor spaces create the same challenge.

The surface needs to look beautiful, resist water, handle changing temperatures, and remain comfortable enough for everyday use. Traditional wood can splinter, absorb moisture, and require constant maintenance. Composite can become hot and may fade or move over time. Concrete can crack, stain, or feel harsh underfoot.

Mbrico porcelain tile offers a more refined solution.

It provides the appearance of a high-end outdoor surface with the durability of porcelain and the structural support of a reinforced deck system. For homeowners, that means a deck that feels more like an extension of the home instead of a material compromise.

Cooler Is Not the Only Advantage

Staying cooler to the touch is one of the most noticeable benefits, but it is not the only reason to choose Mbrico.

Mbrico also offers:

A reinforced porcelain surface
Long term color stability
Resistance to moisture and stains
Freeze thaw durability
Fire resistance
Slip resistant exterior finishes
Low maintenance performance
A premium architectural appearance
System-level stability
No splintering, warping, or rotting

That combination is what separates Mbrico from traditional decking products. The goal is not simply to create a cooler deck. The goal is to create a better outdoor surface from the ground up.

How to Choose the Coolest Mbrico Surface for Your Project

For the best performance in sunny conditions, start with color.

Lighter Mbrico colors are generally the best choice for heat-sensitive areas. Whites, creams, light grays, soft beiges, and natural stone-inspired tones tend to reflect more sunlight and feel more comfortable than darker colors.

Next, consider the project location. A shaded backyard in the Midwest will perform differently than a rooftop deck in Arizona or a pool surround in Florida. Sun angle, air temperature, wind, shade, and surrounding materials all affect how hot a surface feels.

The best way to evaluate comfort is to view samples in the actual environment where the deck will be installed. Place the samples in direct sun, let them sit, and compare how they feel throughout the day.

That simple test helps homeowners, builders, and design teams choose the right Mbrico color for both appearance and comfort.

Final Thoughts

Mbrico stays cooler to the touch because it starts with a better surface material.

Porcelain offers natural advantages in direct sun, especially when lighter colors are selected. It reflects more solar energy than many darker decking materials, resists moisture and UV exposure, and does not rely on plastic caps, stains, sealers, or coatings to perform outdoors.

When that porcelain surface is reinforced and supported by Mbrico’s engineered deck system, the result is a durable, comfortable, and visually refined alternative to traditional decking.

For homeowners, that means a deck that feels better underfoot.
For architects, that means a stronger material specification.
For builders, that means a system designed for long term performance.
For commercial properties, that means outdoor spaces people are more likely to use.

Mbrico does not just change how a deck looks.

It changes how a deck feels.

Why Mbrico Stays Cooler to the Touch in the Sun