There are options of outdoor tiles in the market that you can use for the flooring needs of your outdoor spaces. Different outdoor spaces have different uses and as such, it is very important to choose the right type of outdoor tiles according to the utilization of that particular space.
The outdoor spaces that would require different outdoor tiles for flooring in your home are garden, swimming pool, patio, deck, verandah, garage, balcony, parking, terrace garden, etc. All of these places have their own importance in the home and they have their different flooring needs too.
The outdoor flooring tiles should be competent enough to bear the temperature changes, sunlight, exposure to moisture and water, exposure to heat, etc. They should be strong and durable enough to endure the rough traffic and the impact of the climatic changes and forces of nature.
Best Options For Outdoor Tiles
There are many options of outdoor tiles that you can choose from, each option has its own pros and cons. Lets have a look at some of the options that are suitable for utilization as outdoor tiles.
Porcelain Tiles
The porcelain tiles are a very good option for outdoor flooring as they are very durable and strong. These tiles are made from more refined clay, they are dense and they are fired at very high temperatures This makes them very hard and resistant to scratching.
They are non-slippery and as such, they can be safely used in wet areas like swimming pools and gardens. They are also strong enough to withstand the temperature variance and moisture, these traits make porcelain tiles a good option for outdoor tiles.
Vitrified Tiles
The vitrified tiles are an excellent choice for outdoor tiles, they are manufactured from high-quality clay material. These tiles are baked at very high temperatures and this makes them extremely strong and durable. It is a great choice for your deck, patio, verandah, or open balcony.
These tiles are available in a variety of colors, sizes, designs, and textures. These tiles have all qualities of good outdoor tiles, they are dense, hard, non-porous, long-lasting, and moisture-resistant. They are available in anti-slip and rough textures that provide a firm grip.
Rubber Paver Tiles
You can use the interlocking rubber tiles to give your garden an upgrade. They are available in many different patterns and colors, they are generally available in the size of 16 inches by 16 inches. These rubber tiles will help keep you from slipping as you walk on them.
They have grooved channels that drain the water away to safer locations. These tiles are flexible, anti-slip, anti-static, and they work well to prevent any kind of injury. You can use them on your patio, garage, deck, balcony, and other outdoor home locations as well.
Interlocking Paver Tiles
Interlocking paver tiles or blocks are extremely strong durable. If they are installed properly they can easily last for a few decades. They are slip-resistant and skid resistant and they can be used in any weather condition. This makes them a great candidate for outdoor flooring.
They are very popular for parking flooring as they can easily withstand hefty vehicular load as well. These paver tiles are available in a variety of shapes, colors, and textures making them a very versatile option. They are also very easy to install and do not need much time for completion.
Plastic Interlocking Tiles
The plastic interlocking tiles are a great option for use in wet areas, you can also use them in other locations like a deck or balcony. They are waterproof tiles with an anti-slip coating that keeps you safe as you walk on them. They are quite easy to install and come in various designs.
You can easily interlock them together to provide year-round protection. They can easily fit in any location as per your requirement, they are made from antimicrobial materials as such they do not allow mold and mildew to grow. These tiles work best in storage areas and wet outdoor areas.
Concrete Tiles
If you wish to keep things very simple then you can use the concrete tiles for outdoor flooring. These outdoor tiles have all the good features like durability, strength, resilience, zero maintenance, slip-resistance, and the ability to withstand climatic or temperature variations.
These concrete tiles are also available in a lot of options of shape, size, and patterns. These tiles can be used in your parking, garden, garage, lawn, swimming pool area, etc. These tiles are also very inexpensive and they are quite easy to install and maintain, for the homeowners.
Natural Stone Tiles
The natural stone tiles are also a great option for use in outdoor tiles. These naturally occurring stones are strong and are naturally capable of bearing the extremities of the weather. Natural stones like Kota stone and Shahabad stone are also very inexpensive and easily available.
These stone tiles are available in many beautiful earthly colors and they look very attractive and welcoming when used in outdoor flooring. You can make different patterns by laying down these natural stone tiles in various arrangements as per your required design or pattern.
Qualities To Look For In Outdoor Tiles
There are many traditional and modern outdoor flooring options that are both attractive and comfortable. Many types of flooring materials are available in the market that you can use for outdoor flooring. But before finalizing the outdoor tiles you must consider the following qualities so that these tiles can match your expectations.
Strength
The outdoor tiles must be strong enough to bear the heavy footfall and traffic. The outdoor areas generally go through rough usage as such normal tiles can scratch, crack, and break easily if they are not strong enough.
Durability
These tiles have to be durable in nature because the homeowners expect them to function properly for a long period of time. If they are not able to survive for long then it would result in repetitive expenditure on maintenance.
Moisture Resistance
All the outdoor places at home will definitely see exposure to water and moisture. So the outdoor tiles need to have a fair amount of resistance to moisture and water in order to survive in the outdoor conditions.
Climate Changes
The outdoor tiles have to bear extreme temperatures both hot and cold. Normal tiles will not be able to survive these extreme temperatures and they will break and crack quite easily during the first freeze or first day of hot summer.
Anti Slippery
These tiles need to have an anti-slippery texture to avoid accidents. The outdoor tiles quite often get wet and if they are not anti-slippery the home dwellers will often fall and hurt themselves on these tiles.
Non-Porous
These tiles need to be non-porous in nature in order to safeguard themselves and the layer beneath them from water. If they are permeable in nature they will allow water to seep through and this will result in dampness.
