There is hardly a way to talk about outdoor tiles without mentioning patios, and outdoor living spaces. These spaces are known for adding significant value to your home and represents the overall theme of what guest should expect to find inside the house. In addition, while taking care of the water features, furniture, fire pits, and all, you should also need to install the floor first. When installing the floor, the question of whether or not to use outdoor tiles comes to the fore.
You need to decide on the correct type of floor that suits your home needs outside. And if you find it hard to figure it out, you may have to consult an expert or simply ask for recommendations. In response to the needs and requests of our customers, we have compiled a comprehensive guide on what you need to know in choosing outdoor tiles. Let us define outdoor tiles and differentiate between them and indoor tiles.
What are outdoor tiles, and how are they different from indoor tiles?
There are two significant differences between indoor and outdoor tiles: design and durability. Here is a clarification: the creation of outdoor tiles should involve the appearance of stones, decking, concrete, pavement, and other similar elements. Whereas the surface of the outdoor tiles must have a different texture from the indoor tile. The texture must be slip and fall resistant.
In addition, outdoor tiles should also be more durable than indoor tiles since they get exposed to extreme conditions. For instance, they get direct sunlight, direct rain, moisture content, and other harsh weather conditions without damage. Therefore, while you plan to install outdoor tiles, consider these essential factors to not wash your efforts down the drain.
Essential Tips to Choosing the Right Outdoor Tiles for your Home Exterior
The following are essential factors that can make or mar your installation of outdoor tiles. Mainly, if you don’t know what to look out for, the choice can get a bit overwhelming. For this cause, we have submitted a few tips for perfecting the outdoor tiles. Consider the factors below
What is your Budget?
Your budget is the first item to work out is your budget. How much do you have to spend on the installation process of your outdoor tiles? Can you afford the style of design that you think of doing? For instance, high-quality materials will cost a bit more. So, you can watch out for that. At the same time, costlier materials don’t always mean the best material. The best patio must have full functionality with the right concept and execution.
Where and how to use outdoor tiles?
Outdoor tiles should have enough strength and durability to withstand unfriendly situations, including specific elements. Similarly, outdoor features can be tougher to handle. But they must not be prone to cracks, scratches, or any other damage for it to last. Then, the application of these outdoor tiles must also involve the pattern of installation and use on the wall and ground. Similarly, certain outdoor tiles work much better on walls than on the floor.
The weather condition of your area
As we mentioned, environmental factors affect outdoor tiles, including weather conditions. Depending on the harshness of these conditions, you may need to get the kind of outdoor tiles that can withstand these issues. So, the questions are: what is the weather like in your area? Is the weather mild or harsh? Is there snow during winter? How high or low does the temperature go?
Therefore, you should handle these requirements by buying suitable outdoor tiles. Meanwhile, a tile that can hold up heat may not be perfect during winter. On the other hand, if your area has a lot of rain, the right outdoor tiles for you may not be suitable during the winter. Therefore, the kind of weather you experience in your area determines the type of outdoor tiles you choose.
How much light gets on the outdoor tiles?
Another essential factor is the light intensity on the surface of the outdoor tiles. For instance, if a set of outdoor tiles falls under the shady area, usually darker, you should install dark tile colors there. On the other hand, sites that experience bright light may require light-colored surface tiles to reflect the light.
In other words, the visual effects that you get from these tiles concern the color or contrast of the outdoor tiles. Moreover, if your patio gets direct sunlight, you may also use a dark tile instead to tray the light. Visit http://lhpowerandlight.org/5-cheapest-outdoor-tiles-that-you-need-to-know/ to read about 5 cheapest outdoor tiles that you need to know.
Outdoor tiles must fit into your overall style and color
If a set of outdoor tiles do not align correctly with the overall theme or style of your home. Otherwise, you will experience a clash between these themes, or your outdoor tiles feeling disconnected. You can also make the interior decorations as a reference point so that both interior and exterior elements can resonate with each other.
For instance, a rustic outdoor tile can look out of place with a sleek modern home. Therefore, you should find items and tiles that complement your overall house style and not distract away from them. Color is an essential factor in causing the themes to resonate with each other. Colors can be blended into each other or form a contrast.
Famous Types of Outdoor Tiles
You have learned all the necessary tips to increase your chances of creating beauty in your home exterior. But then, we need to look at some options of the most popular tile materials in use.
- Ceramic tile
- Porcelain tiles
- Quarry tiles
- Slate tiles
- Granite tiles
- Concrete tiles
- Soapstone tiles
- Limestone tiles
- Sandstone tiles
Conclusion
In conclusion, outdoor tiles occupy an integral part of your home formation. Whereas you should patiently choose the best matching set of outdoor tiles. Considering the factors mentioned above, you should find the best outdoor tiles you need. Meanwhile, if it is still a tough decision, we will be delighted to help. Click here to read about Home Improvement: suburban works-in-progress.