Costco Vs IKEA: Who Sells The Better Deck Tiles?

Stunning deck tiles can elevate your outdoor spaces and upgrade even the smallest of balconies.  Easy to install and cost-effective deck tiling can become a savvy solution for transforming your lackluster outdoor areas into a refined space, ready for entertaining.  From hardwood, to natural stone, to porcelain, there are many different types of tiles you can use for your outdoor patio. However, wood and composite deck tiling options are known for their sleek aesthetics and overall affordability. 

Major retailers Costco and IKEA are home to two very popular deck tile options that DIY enthusiasts have put to the test. Costco's Elegance Composite Deck Tile and IKEA's RUNNEN Acacia Decking are two highly rated options that won't break the bank, but it can be hard to decide which brand is right for your home. Here are the pros and cons to both Costco and IKEA's best-selling deck tiles, and what you might want to consider before adding one of them to your shopping list this summer. 

Costco's Elegance Composite Deck Tile promises to be a more durable alternative to traditional wood tiling. This composite tiling is made up of both polyethylene plastic and wood fibers and covered in a polymer shell that can withstand both routine foot traffic and extreme weather conditions. The Costco composite deck tiles are rated 4.1 out of 5 stars in customer satisfaction, and a five pack costs $59.99, or $12 per square foot of tile. Satisfied reviewers shared that the tiles were easy to install and look beautiful on their patio.

A common gripe among reviewers, however, is that it's hard to source edging for the Costco deck tiles, particularly the corner pieces. Multiple buyers share that, even though the tile itself is relatively inexpensive, finding appropriate edging at other hardware stores was pricey. "I guess that's how they get you. Once you want to finish the edging, you're paying an arm and a leg compared to what you pay for the actual tiles which is quite ridiculous," one Costco buyer shared in a review. Others also mentioned that the plastic snaps used in the click-lock installation process are delicate and prone to breaking if not properly aligned.

One major draw to the Costco tiles, however, is that they are made to last. Between the heavy-duty composite material and the included five-year warranty, it may be worth it to spend a bit more money up front for years of good use. Reviewers overall shared that they felt the Costco Elegance deck tiles were a good investment in the long run.

IKEA's RUNNEN deck tiling is one of the store's best-selling items. The product is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars across thousands of customer reviews and has an affordable price tag of $29.99 for around 9 square feet of coverage, making it cheaper than the Costco option. The RUNNEN tiles are made out of solid acacia wood with an acrylic stain. In one five-star review on IKEA's website, a buyer shares "They are easy to assemble, you have two options to lay them. The bigger your patio the more expensive they become however they are worth every penny."

One thing IKEA's tiles may lack, however, is longevity. Multiple reviewers shared that the tile's acrylic stain doesn't hold up well against daily wear and tear or rainy weather. Other reviewers agree that, while the tiles look beautiful and are simple to install, they won't last as long as you'd expect. One buyer revealed that the RUNNEN deck tiles look nice for about a season, then they start to fade. 

Between the two brands, IKEA's option is better vetted, and ultimately the more affordable of the two products. However, composite deck tiling, like Costco's Elegance Tiles, generally requires less maintenance than solid wood, and can be a more durable option long term. If you're looking to refresh a small balcony that is relatively shielded from the elements, IKEA's RUNNEN tiles could be the perfect solution at an agreeable price. But if you're looking for a more long-term solution, then Costco's DIY deck tiles could be worth buying for your patio transformation.