The solution for maintaining a wood deck
Your patio, whether wood, treated wood, fiberglass, or composite, needs to be maintained. Some materials require more time than others, but you shouldn't have to spend so many hours or so much effort!
Basically, by choosing the Belvedere structural slab, you'll never again have to search for "treated wood patio maintenance," "fiberglass patio maintenance," "wood patio maintenance," "composite patio maintenance," "strip patio," "sand patio," "wood deck maintenance," "deck maintenance," "quick sanding," etc. on Google.
5 reasons
why you should switch to the Belvedere slab
- You'd like to spend your weekends camping instead of being on your hands and knees stripping your patio;
- You don't want to spend 2 or 3 Saturdays under the hot July sun sanding and staining your treated wood patio;
- You no longer have room in the shed and/or garage to store stain, sanding tools, and brushes;
- Your children or neighbors no longer want to lend a hand to help you;
- Every year you tell yourself it's the last year, and you end up enduring a faded, characterless patio all summer long.
Composite and wood vs concrete
We understand that you want to compare the two options, so we've done it for you. The concept of a "structural" slab is new to many people. That's why we've summarized it here. 👇
Let's talk money and concrete
In June 2022, we conducted a comparative exercise between treated wood, composite, Trex, and the Belvedere slab, which is concrete.
Treated wood (2 x 6'' x 10’) = $3.57 / sq ft Composite (6'' x 12’) = $6.50 / sq ft Trex (6'' x 12’) = $14.80 / sq ft Belvedere (16'' x 24'') = $5.99 / sq ft
So you save on purchase compared to composite and Trex. Concrete is indeed more expensive than wood. BUT. Belvedere slabs do not need to be maintained. They do not need sanding (read sanding equipment), staining (read staining equipment) or painting (read painting equipment). They don't need your time for maintenance. Enjoy all your summers for the next 10-20-30 years without having to worry about your deck!
The Belvedere slab, for a maintenance-free patio deck
It's possible and instant. The Belvedere slab is a structural concrete slab that installs directly onto your wood patio joists. You read that right. To renovate your deck, you simply remove the top boards to expose your joists. If you're building a patio, you only need a standard structure to lay your Belvedere slabs on!
What exactly is a structural slab?
A structural slab is a concrete slab reinforced with rebar. When concrete is poured into a mold, fiberglass rebar is added to strengthen it. The rebar, or fiberglass structure inside the concrete slab, increases the product's resistance. The Belvedere slab is therefore the ideal solution for a durable and solid patio.
Interesting fact: Patio Drummond has been using this technology in its concrete slats (agricultural product) since 1970. Concrete slats are also "structural" and are also installed on concrete walls with the same functionality as your deck's joists!
What are the advantages of a Belvedere Patio?
There are several. When we build or renovate a patio, we know we're doing it to make it last. The Belvedere concrete slab:
- Is the solution to stop stripping, sanding, and staining your patio every 2-3 years;
- Installs directly on your patio's existing structure;
- Is durable and solid;
- Does not conduct heat as much as wood or composite;
- Gives a completely different look!
Is the Belvedere slab complex to install?
It's so simple to install that even your brother-in-law or sister-in-law, who's completely unskilled with their hands, could redo your deck! Just 3 steps and you're done:
- Measure the wood joists at 16'' on center
- Apply construction adhesive to the joists
- Place the Belvedere slabs on the joists
Browse our frequently asked questions dedicated to the Belvedere slab to learn everything about the Belvedere slab and its installation. We also provide installation guides and videos, it's as easy as pie! Discover the Belvedere slab
