For Australia’s outdoor lifestyle, the patio is a very valuable area in the home. Whether you have a small or large area to tile, with a bit of pre-planning, your outdoor patio can be turned into a sanctuary.
There are a few things that you need to keep in mind when choosing tiles to suit the demands of an outside area. Follow our quick guide below, to help you choose the perfect outdoor tile for your space.
Climate
It’s important to ensure that your tile choice will be able to withstand the demands of your local climate. For warmer areas, most tiles will be suitable. If you live in a colder temperature, then you need to select a tile that will be able to withstand the changing temperatures.
Generally, ceramic tiles can handle mild weather conditions and light foot traffic. Because of this, we recommend picking ceramic for covered patios or patios that don’t see a lot of extreme weather changes.
It’s important to note that not all ceramic tile is made the same. Some types are weaker or stronger than others, so choosing a more durable option such as our external range of Alto Dolomiti are best for outdoors.
A porcelain tile is dense and strong, which makes it a good choice for outdoor use. External porcelain tiles are what to look for as they have a stronger grip and a more textured surface to minimise slip, which are more durable for tropical or wet climates.
Water-Absorption Rate
Water absorption measures how much moisture a specific type of tile is likely to absorb on an ongoing basis. Some types of tile may crack if the moisture penetration is too high whereas if the tile has a low water absorption, like porcelain, the durability and strength are higher.
Even if you don’t plan on tiling near a pool, outdoor tiles still need to have a low water-absorption rate to ensure they are less susceptible to water-stains and cracks, which can be costly to repair or replace later on.
Featured: Hawkesbury Natural Sandstone External tiles 600×600 (left), Sandstone Natural pavers 600x600x20mm (right)
Non Slip
Uncovered outdoor areas will be susceptible to wet conditions, which will increase the risk of slips and falls. While no tiles are completely slip-proof, choosing external matte-finish tiles will help minimise the risk. Many of our internal porcelain tiles are also available in a matching non-slip version for outdoor application. Chat to our team to choose the best non-slip option for your home.
Featured: Mustang Grey pavers 400x600x20mm (left), Cleft Rock Beige pavers 400x600x20mm (right)
Are you working on an outdoor project? To discover these looks and more, visit The Tile Collective’s online showroom, here.