Tiles for outside flooring have been more popular in recent years, due to advances in tile manufacturing technology. The selection of styles and varieties presently accessible to homeowners is wide. While having more options is obviously a positive thing, it can also be a bit of a minefield for the uninformed when it comes to picking which kind of tile to use in an outside project.
Technically, any porcelain tile may be used outdoors (as long as a few minor details are taken into account), but that doesn’t imply you can just lay down any old porcelain tile and hope for the best. We’ve compiled a list of the three most crucial factors to consider while selecting patio outdoor tiles.
What will the tiles be used for and where will they be used?
The sort of outdoor tiles you buy will be determined by how and where they will be utilized. Take the time to consider where the tiles you’re buying will be installed. If you get it wrong, you could end up with a bunch of unsuitable products, so do take the time to consider where the tiles you’re buying will be installed. Most porcelain outdoor tiles are appropriate for outside usage if they are frost-proof and have a high enough slip rating (also referred to as an R-Rating), so you could use any of our floor outdoor tiles for modest installations like garden walks, porches, or front doorsteps.
If the area where the outdoor tiles will be installed is susceptible to high traffic, inclement weather, or organic matter – such as driveways or patio areas – you should select something more robust, such as 18-20mm thick outdoor porcelain slab outdoor tiles. These are porcelain reproductions of pavement slabs that come in a variety of styles that mimic anything from wood planks to marble to granite and limestone (and everything in between!). Outdoor porcelain slab tiles are more durable than the genuine stone and wood they imitate, since they do not need post-installation sealing, have built-in UV protection to prevent fading in direct sunshine, and do not collect water or stain from organic matter such as leaves/moss. Visit http://lhpowerandlight.org/before-you-buy-those-outdoor-tiles/ to read about Before you buy those outdoor tiles.
Which Installation Method Will You Use?
‘Make sure the surface you’re tiling over is level, not porous, and free of dents and holes’ is the golden guideline for any form of floor tiling job, interior or exterior. This is especially critical when installing outside tiles, since uneven substrates may result in a poor finish, tiles lifting, and adhesives not adhering properly. Most people would choose to lay outdoor tiles on a firm concrete screed, even going so far as to use a leveling agent like Norcros Pro 50 to ensure the surface is perfectly flat. While this is the most reliable and durable exterior floor preparation for all types of porcelain outdoor tiles – you can learn how to install a concrete screed in our handy Outdoor Tile Installation Guide – many people don’t want to wait the six weeks for it to cure before installing their tiles on top of it.
However, there are several alternatives — Norcros has released a new product called Rock-TiteTM Exterior Porcelain & Stone System that enables you to place outdoor slab tiles directly into a crushed hardcore foundation without the need for a concrete screed. This approach saves a lot of time, but it can only be used with porcelain slab outdoor tiles or natural stone that is 10-20mm thick, therefore it won’t work with Quarry Tiles or frost-proof porcelain floor outdoor tiles like those from our Hanoi collection. Similarly, Adjustable Support Pedestals may be used to lay outdoor slab tiles without the need of a screed or any glue at all. These helpful components create a suspended system,’ which means there are no mechanical fastening and everything is held in place by the weight of the tiles or slabs. Adjustable Support Pedestals, like the Rock-TiteTM system, can only be used with 10-20mm thick slab tiles or natural stone pavers.
Are the Tiles You’ve Selected Appropriate for Your Decor?
Outside living is a significant trend right now, and many DIYers are wanting to extend their interior design to their outdoor spaces in order to retain visual coherence. Because tile producers are aware of this, many big format interior tiles also provide a 20mm thick porcelain outdoor slab tile option – the depth of which is unrestricted, independent of your design style. Concrete and natural stone effects, in particular, are highly popular and ubiquitous in this trend – our Dunsen and Basilea ranges also have standard thickness indoor variations.
Our mildly psychedelic Andalucia Hexagon and Moliere ranges, for example, are experiencing a resurgence at the moment, and you’ll be pleased to know that vintage-style feature floors aren’t limited to interiors as many patterned porcelain floor outdoor tiles have frost proof qualities that allow them to be used outside as well. Outdoor slab tiles are increasingly getting in on the patterned action as well, with a variety of designs now available to complement any design scheme – see our Hardblue and Concretia collections for examples.
It’s also worth noting that longer, plank-like outdoor tiles may create the sense of more space in smaller settings, so look for wood effect outdoor tiles or ones with rectangular form-factors. Similarly, larger tiles with rectified edges reduce the visibility of grout joints; the larger the tiles, the less you’ll need and the fewer grout joints you’ll have.
What Is the Best Way to Remove Green Algae from My Patio Stone?
Algae may be a great annoyance and getting rid of it can be difficult. Green algae is a form of algae that is notorious for being difficult to eradicate. Here are some suggestions for removing green algae from your patio stone:
- Clean the stone’s surface: The first step is to clean the surface of the stone. This will get rid of any dirt or debris that might be attracting algae.
- Pressure washer: Another alternative for cleaning the stone and removing the majority of the algae is to use a pressure washer.
- Bleach: The next step is to clear the algae with a weak bleach solution. Bleach is a potent disinfectant that may aid in the removal of algae. To make an efficient diluted bleach solution, mix 1 cup chlorine bleach with 5 gallons warm water. Scrub the outdoor tiles with a brush and thoroughly rinse them afterward.
- Algae killer: To get rid of the algae, you may use a commercial algae killer.
Finally
Hopefully, this has given you some ideas for your next outside restoration job when it comes to selecting outdoor tiles.