How To Select The Best Outdoor Tiles : Ultimate Guide

When it comes to enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of your outdoor areas, choosing the right tiles is crucial. Outdoor tiles not only need to withstand the elements but also add beauty and style to your patios, porches, or walkways.

Selecting outdoor tiles requires careful consideration of various factors, such as durability, slip resistance, maintenance requirements, and design versatility. With numerous options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best outdoor tiles that suit your needs.

That’s why we’re here to guide you through the selection process, ensuring that you choose the best outdoor tiles that meet your specific needs and preferences.

Tips to Select the best Outdoor tiles

1. Consider Durability

Unlike indoor tiles, outdoor tiles need to have enough strength and durability to withstand different outdoor elements, such as high foot traffic and harsh weather conditions. And most people tend to ignore this fact, which may result in damage to their patio in the long run.

Before selecting any tile option, one must consider its durability, strength, and resistance to scratches and cracks.

2. Prioritize Texture And Slip Resistance

Among all things, your safety should be your first priority when choosing a tile for your outdoor area. Slip resistance and texture are two main factors for safety, as the outdoor area should be walkable while wet.

It is essential to choose files that are resistant to slipping while wet and have textured surfaces that are good to walk on to prevent any accidents.

3. Assess Maintenance Requirements

Maintenance plays an essential role in selecting the type of tile you are going to use outdoors. Most people often choose tiles that require minimum to no maintenance, as outdoor areas are less likely to get cleaned as compared to indoor areas.

Besides, you cannot resist the fact that outdoor areas get dirty easily, so it is good to choose tiles that show little dirt on the surface.

4. Style And Colour You Prefer

The design style of your home should match the design style you choose for your outdoors to offer an inclusive feel throughout the area. First, you need to understand the overall design style you are in need of and select the tile that best suits your requirements.

Also, colour plays a significant role in the overall look of your area; choose a colour that either matches or easily blends with other elements of your outdoor area.

5. Consider Various Finishes For Your Outdoors

There are various finishes available in different stone categories that you can choose for your project, which include:

Glossy Finish Tiles

Glossy-finish tiles are best recommended for walls as they contain a glam and sophisticated look that is also easy to clean. 

Matte Finish Tiles

Matte-finish tiles are slip-resistant and can be used in wet areas such as near pools, bathrooms, and outdoor paving. It has a rustic and industrial vibe with a non-reflective surface.

Honed Finish Tiles

Honed-finish tiles have a better slip-resistance surface but are mostly used in kitchens and backsplashes. These tiles can either be glazed or unglazed, but with a smooth and stained finish.

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Rustic Or Textured Finish Tiles

Ideal for good grips and a highly slip-resistant material, textured-finish tiles are great to use in wet areas such as near pools, bathrooms, and outdoor paving. They retain the raw beauty of materials and have little to no shine on their surfaces. 

Unglazed Finish Tiles

Unglazed finish tiles are mostly used in commercial and industrial places that deal with high foot traffic. They have an earthy and natural appearance but lack a protective layer, which can result in stains and marks. 

Polished Finish Tiles

Polished-finish tiles are slip-resistant in nature, and they are made by equipping both glazed and unglazed tiles together with a polished surface. These tiles offer a luxurious feel to any surface they lay on.

6. Check For Light Exposure And Weather Conditions

Light exposure and weather conditions play an important role in determining the type of tile material you should choose in your area. Some tiles work greatly while exposed to light for a longer time; on the other hand, some start fading.

Along with exposure, the type of outdoors also matters. If your outdoor area is shady, then it is good to go for light-coloured tile options, and vice versa, to enhance the overall look of your exterior.

And the weather conditions of your area will also highly affect your paving, so you must consider which type of tile will suit well with the weather conditions in your area and last a long time.

7. Consider Budget

The outdoor area is no doubt an essential part to look over, but that doesn’t mean that you should burn a deep hole in your pocket by spending most of your money on only outdoor tiling.

So what you are first required to do is determine how much you can spend on your outdoor space and then go for tile options that come within your budget.

8. Choose The Right Tile For Your Outdoors

While choosing the right tile for your outdoor space, you also have to look at the place where you are going to place it. Whether you are looking for wall tiles, floor tiles, a deck area, or tiles near a pool,

As some tiles work best on walls and some work well on floors. Answering this question might affect your choice of tile. So be mindful to get the suitable one for your project that suits your needs well.

9. Choose The Right Material

There are numerous outdoor materials that you can find, but choosing the right one for your paving is an essential thing to do. So here are some of the most popular outdoor paving materials: 

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tiles are man-made and are created specifically to mimic the look of natural stones. They are made of dense clay and have a durable and hard surface, which makes them one of the most favourable options for outdoor paving.

These tiles are long-lasting, highly resistant to scratches, stains, moisture, and heat, and also come in a wide range of colour options to choose from. 

Granite Tiles

Granite is one of the strongest natural stones in terms of durability and strength, which makes it a popular material to use in outdoor areas. These tiles have great functional properties, such as resistance to bacteria, and are waterproof.

It is a hard stone that doesn’t crack or chip easily, which is also a beneficial part to use if you have kids or pets in your home.

Limestone

Limestone material as a paving option has been in use for thousands of years now and is still in trend and on the bucket list of many homeowners and designers due to its durability and longevity.

It usually comes in some earthy shades, which help with the heat-resistant properties of tiles, and the surface remains cool even in summer. This tile type requires quite a bit of maintenance to keep it looking new. 

Sandstone

Sandstone is a favourable option when it comes to outdoor paving in dry climates. It is made of sedimentary rock and compressed sand, which gives it a unique texture.

This stone requires regular sealing and is prone to scratches and water penetration. Using this stone in an area with changing weather conditions can be done but with a little more maintenance. 

Slate

Slate is one of the most popular outdoor paving choices as it is formed from natural stone under heat and pressure, which makes it a hard and durable material. It also contains some amazing functional properties, such as resistance to water and durability in nature.

Slate also comes in various colour options to choose from and can be used to create a traditional or contemporary design style outdoors.

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10. Go Creative And Do Experiments

Time has gone by for that old, same-coloured outdoor patio paving. It’s time for new experiments and more personalised designs. You can go for classic, contemporary, or modern design styles.

All-inclusive design options are also in style, where you can match the whole decor of your place. You can also play around with colours using a combination of dark and light colours based on your style and taste.

Conclusion

Selecting the best outdoor tiles involves careful consideration of factors such as durability, slip resistance, maintenance requirements, style, and budget. By taking the time to evaluate these aspects and seeking professional advice when needed, you can create outdoor spaces that are not only visually stunning but also practical and long-lasting. 

Remember, the right outdoor tiles will not only enhance the beauty of your outdoor areas but also provide a safe and enjoyable environment for years to come. So, apply the knowledge and tips shared in this guide, and embark on your journey to transform your outdoor spaces into inviting havens of style and functionality.

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