&noscript=1 />
Menu
Home›Installation

Mbrico Deck Installation Guidelines

*The shop drawings provided by Mbrico are based on the plans or dimensions supplied by the customer. Make sure to verify all measurements on-site before starting the installation. Before you begin, carefully read the written instructions, and watch Mbrico’s instructional video in full. The information below provides the recommended installation steps for the Mbrico Tile Deck system. These guidelines help ensure a successful installation. However, it is up to the buyer and the on-site installer to make sure the installation is done correctly and follows Mbrico’s guidelines.

**Mbrico advises clients to consult a qualified carpentry crew, decking company, or tile setter in their area before placing an order. This ensures that all measurements, order quantities, and the installation are accurate. For larger projects, consider contacting Mbrico for a turn-key installation quote.

Joist Framed Installation Summary Sheet

Deck Framing and Structure

Make sure your deck framing and structure have been framed properly and meet or exceed local and national codes. This includes the footings, lumber, grade, quality, and attachment to any structure. All fasteners, hangers, and tie-downs should be professionally installed and compatible with other products, codes, and manufacturers’ specifications. The deck should be properly flashed to conventional surface products to ensure your substructure lasts as long as possible. 

Layout and Installation

If possible, follow the layout used when ordering your Mbrico deck surface materials. This will help minimize cuts and place partial tiles in less visible areas of the deck, like with plastic or wood decking materials. In many ways, installing your Mbrico deck is like laying interior tile, requiring planning for stairways, angles, and partial rows. You will also need to plan for handrail installation and the size of the finished edge material. Install your Mbrico deck with care, as it will last longer than other deck products and requires only an occasional spray.

Deck Height and Weight

The Mbrico deck surface adds 1-5/8” to the framing height and a total weight of 10.5 pounds per square foot to your deck.

Easy Installation

Mbrico has taken great care to create a deck system that is easy to install. The installation process is like that of a tongue-and-groove wood floor. This product was designed for a quality carpentry crew to install and offers clients years of maintenance-free enjoyment, saving on refinishing and replacement costs that other deck surfaces require. Mbrico’s deck system is ideal for clients who are not satisfied with conventional plastic or wood options. The textures and finishes offered by Mbrico suit any quality home or project.

Design Goals

The Mbrico Tile Deck system was designed with two main goals:

1. To provide clients with the best possible deck system that requires no maintenance and increases the long-term value of their home.
2. To create a complete deck surface system that is simple in both design and installation, making the installer’s job easier. 
 
Mbrico has achieved these goals by incorporating the following features to benefit both the installer and the client:
 
- 12-Foot Aluminum Tracks: These tracks are purposely made as long as possible to provide a straight edge for placing tiles across the deck surface, allowing for a quick and efficient installation.

- Integrated Tile Spacer: A 1/8” tile spacer is designed into the track, and 1/16” end bumpers are built into each tile, creating a consistent 1/8” margin around all four sides of each tile.

- Grout-Free Construction: No tile setter is required.

- Protective Butyl Tape: This tape is provided to minimize metal corrosion on hangers and the track system, increasing overall deck longevity.

- Field Slotter Router Bits: These bits are available for your router to quickly re-groove field-cut tiles to fit the track for cut rows or angled pieces.

- Simple Stair System: An optional, ready-to-install stair system for deck stringers is available.

- Track Design: The pre-applied tile substrate eliminates the need for thinset, mortar, or grout anywhere within the system, preventing wind uplift and any tile lippage or wobble.
Verify the standard code deck frame is at least 1-5/8” below the adjoining doorway thresholds, or any other clearance obstructions. (Contact salesperson for alternatives)
Using an Mbrico track, verify the deck is squared and flat. Any individual joist or surfaces that is crowned upwards or crowned downwards need to be flattened or shimmed to level the track. Note: Verify the handrail, trim, and plans before starting. See “Details” page for common option(s).
Place the provided protective butyl tape at all points where the aluminum track will contact your deck framing.
Place a single sided L-Track per your layout at your designated starting edge. It is crucial that this first track is parallel to the dwelling wall.
Using a ¼” drill bit, pre-drill holes only to the aluminum L-Track on the outer bank at all points where the track intersects the deck joist. Do not pre-drill the joists.
Secure L-Track to the joist with the provided stainless screws. There will be one screw for each intersection of track and joist.
Place your T-Track ½” wider than the width of your tile away from your previous track. Ensure the track is sitting level and the protective butyl flashing tape is placed beneath.
Place a dab of the provided adhesive onto the track where all four corners of the tile will sit on track. The adhesive dab should be approximately the size of a quarter.
Place a row of Mbrico tiles at the designated location in between both tracks. The grooved/kerfed edge of your tile will fit securely into the tongue of the Mbrico tracks.
Using a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer, slide the tile and T-Track toward your previous track until all tile grooves are fully seated and your two tracks are snug and parallel.
Using a ¼” drill bit, pre-drill holes in the aluminum T-Track on the exposed side of the track at all points where the track intersects the deck joists. Do not pre-drill the joists.
Secure the T-Track to the joist with the provided stainless screws. There will be one screw for each intersection of track and joist.
Repeat steps 7 through 12 until you reach the last row.
Place the provided protective butyl tape at all points where the aluminum track will contact your deck framing, including your ledger board.
Cut the final L-Track ½” shorter than the length of 2-3 tiles and place the track on the designated location.
Pre-drill and secure the L-Track segment to your deck frame using the provided stainless screws.
Place a dab of provided adhesive onto the track where all four corners of tile will sit on the tracks. Note: Process will be to apply four dabs of adhesive and slide the tile in.
Slide the Mbrico tile from track end into the designated location. Repeat these two steps to complete this segment of tracks.
Repeat steps 15 through 18 until all tiles are placed.
The following two steps are only to be completed if any structure or object is obstructing your pathway to slide the tile from ends. If no structure or object is obstructing, you may repeat previous steps until completion of the tile layout. Cut the bottom lip of the last tile with a porcelain blade.
After applying adhesive on all four corners, slide the tile’s groove into your previous track’s tounge and gently place down the tile to rest on final L-Track.
Print PDF of instructions