A guide to choosing outdoor patio tiles

The patio is the house’s second living area and is able to bring the most value to your overall design. It is the center of good outdoor dining, soaking up the sun and being a part of a family is a carefully selected outdoor flooring finish. Patio tiles are the most durable outdoor option and comes in a myriad of designs, colors sizes, and shapes. Find out how to select the ideal tile for outdoor patios as well as pathways by reading this article!

From the floor, you can create the rest of your exterior design scheme, setting up furniture and soft designs, floral arrangements and water features, or fire pits. Therefore, it is essential to select a flooring that has a plethora of appeal and also offers superior durability.

With a vast variety of outdoor tiles available in the market homeowners are confronted with not just a wide range of textures, colors sizes, and even items they would not have thought of for outdoor usage, but also bad or inaccurate recommendations. This is why many face frustrating costly errors, particularly following the advice of an inexperienced or unqualified person.

We’ve created a comprehensive guide to simplify the process to calm your mind and ensure that you select the right patio tile to install on your outside.

Why should you select outdoor patio tiles?

There are a myriad of reasons that tiles are a great flooring option for patios by comparing them to other alternatives. From a practical standpoint they’re an ideal surface finish that is extremely robust, simple to maintain and also incredibly robust to last for longer in outdoor settings as opposed to the majority of pavers.

Outdoor tiles are far more robust than pavers. They are often are set on a tiny gravel base with no proper preparation so that if water seeps into cracks or joints, it can take away the base within a matter of minutes. Tiles, however, are resistant to water, so you don’t need to worry about their being affected by water. The best part is that if they ever become stained or damaged it is possible to replace the tile that is damaged instead of replacing all of the installation.

What differentiates indoor tile from outdoor tiles distinct?

In certain instances, indoor tile and outdoor tiles may appear identical, however they are different from one another in two primary ways: design and durability.

Before you start getting your plans for renovations underway, Here’s what you should know to make a decision on your options for patio tiles and choose the appropriate tile to complete the task:

Design. Tiles that are used outside are not often covered in glaze and typically have the appearance of stone concrete, pavement decking, or any other elements for outdoor use. Contrary to indoor tiles that are usually glazed and sleek to make cleaning easier outdoor tiles are textured on their surface to provide extra resistance to slip. A surface that’s a bit rougher gives you, your kids and the furniture you have on your patio, with great grip and decreases the chance of injuries.

Durability. When it comes to the level of toughness, tile that is intended for use on exteriors is expected to endure a lot more than products for interior use. A higher likelihood of heavy pedestrian traffic as in direct sunlight and severe weather conditions like frost and rain mean that outdoor surfaces must be non-porous stronger, more robust, and less susceptible to weather conditions.

Things to think about when choosing outdoor tiles

In addition to design and durability but there are other aspects that can have an impact on choosing the right patio tile and the material you choose for your next outdoor project. Before you shop you should consider the following factors:

Strength

For a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding the durability of tiles, porcelain are the best option for outdoor spaces due to its flame, water stain, scratch dent, and scratch resistance characteristics. Additionally tiles with these qualities can minimize the need to fret about the safety of your children and pets in adverse weather and temperatures and the requirement for the heavy and durable patio furniture.

Budget

When it comes to constructing the patio tile is the best and most cost-effective option with a long lifespan. But the cost will vary based the area you’d like to put the new flooring and also if expert assistance is required to install it. The cost of materials as well as ongoing maintenance are dependent on the style you wish to finishing and size space.

A striking style for a luxury patio is more likely to include extra-ordinary features. High-end material prices can truly vary however it’s important to keep in mind that it’s the value you’re really looking for. Also, a project that has less complexity and that can be completed without assistance will cost less.

Needs for lifestyle and use

When you think about the outdoor living space you must consider the way you would like the space to be utilized. This is particularly true if are a parent or entertain regularly and entertain guests. You will need flooring that’s sturdy enough not to be affected by foot traffic or strong enough to withstand a lot of wear and tear.

Color and style

It is essential that the design and colour that you choose for your flooring are in harmony with the overall look of your landscape and also to the architectural elements of your home such as doors, walls or window frames.

With the myriad of options available, it’s simple to design an exterior design that’s to your preferences and is in tune with the overall theme of your home. For example, a garden with sharp angles contemporary executed walls and meticulously maintained topiary could look perfect with the monochromatic marble-effect porcelain style tile. The same tile may look odd when set in an ordinary farmhouse.

In the same way, neutral architectural features might be benefited by brown, lighter sandy color and grays that are white or black. Also, keeping an eye on how much sunlight the space is typically exposed to could determine your tile selection for patios. An excellent guideline is to choose bright, well-lit patios with lots of sunshine all day long require the darker shade of tiles as brighter colors are a great way to improve the space, even with diffuse lighting.

Popular tile material for patios and outdoor areas

If you have a expansive patio or a small space, the appropriate tile material will help you make your dream design the reality of your dreams and provide you with the chance to design an ideal space where you can unwind, escape and unwind.

Natural stone tiles

Natural stone is the term that refers to a class consisting of tiles made from slate, marble, granite limestone, travertine, and. Each tile are multi-purpose and have distinct strengths and weak points. Because of their stunning natural appearance stone tiles are a popular design for luxury homes and homeowners seeking a which blends seamlessly with the outdoors.

But, you’ll have to pay slightly more to enjoy the natural appeal and their graceful appearance. Their earthy shades and distinctive textures let them keep the style of any design without making any design look odd.

Marble mosaic tiles are pleasing to the eye and adds a an elegant look that many design lovers enjoy. Because it’s a bit less durable and porous, it is required to seal to make sure that tiles can stand up to foot traffic and weather extremes.

Marble comes in a stunning array of shades ranging from black to whitewith a myriad of vein patterns ranging from clearly defined as streaks, diffused crackle, or a mixture of all. It is beautiful in any space in which the marble is placed. The polished tiles that have slippery surfaces can create a risk, therefore the marble with a slight texture is suitable for flooring that is used on the outside.

Ceramic tiles

Traditional ceramics can stand up to moderate environmental conditions but isn’t as durable as other options for outdoor tiles. This is why you might want to go for ceramic tile if have a patio that is covered or an outdoor area that isn’t subjected to lots of people walking around and major weather conditions, or you want to apply them to the exterior walls of your outdoor kitchen backsplash.

The best way to use ceramic is to choose one that is durable and has the PEI rating that indicates sufficient strength and durability for external use. Based on the type of product you purchase the surface material has a wide range of choices in regards to price.

Porcelain tiles

In the ovens of fiery hot kilns, clay-based tiles provide a myriad of advantages and features. They are extremely tough and are non-porous, so cracks that result from extreme weather is not a problem. Because there are only a tiny holes in their construction they need little maintenance. Additionally, their ability to be durable to fade and scratch marks make them a sought-after choice for homes in areas that experience extremely hot summers.

As long as it’s used in interior damp zones, you won’t need convincing about porcelain tile’s water-repelling qualities. Similar to the bathroom needs, you’ll need for your flooring outside to feature a smooth surface to prevent slips and accidents.