Patios are one of the outdoor living spaces that add the most value to your home. But before you can start setting up your furniture, water features, or fire pits, you need to install the tile floor first. Deciding on the right type of floor can be a daunting process if you don&#;t know what you should be looking for. That&#;s why we&#;ve put together a complete guide to choosing the best outdoor tile for your exterior tile installation below.
Let&#;s get started!
Indoor tile and outdoor tile differ from each other in two main ways: design and durability.
Here&#;s what we mean by that.
Outdoor tiles often have the appearance of stones, pavement, concrete, decking, or other outdoor elements. Moreover, outdoor tiles are designed with a more textured surface compared to indoor tiles. This creates a slip-resistant surface that&#;ll give you, your pets, and your patio furniture traction.
Outdoor tile is also much more durable than indoor tile. It can withstand direct sunlight and harsh weather conditions without getting damaged.
Before you start laying tile in your patio, make sure you have outdoor tile. Otherwise, your hard work won&#;t last very long.
When faced with numerous outdoor tile options, the decision-making process can feel overwhelming. To simplify your selection, consider the following tips aimed at helping you choose the best outdoor tile for your home.
The first thing you have to think about when buying outdoor tile is your budget. This may limit the selection you can choose from.
For example, if you can&#;t spend more than $12 per square foot of material, things like high-quality natural stone tile will be out of the question.
Decide on a budget first. You&#;ll be more likely to remember it and stick to it if you see it in writing.
Don&#;t let yourself get fooled by &#;cheap&#; prices. Spending $20 per square foot might not seem like much, but it can add up fast. &#;A well-designed patio is one that offers lots of functionality for your favorite activities. Before you begin building or redesigning your space, sit down with a piece of paper, and write out how you want to use your patio. If you have a family that you share the space with, talk to them about outdoor activities they might be interested in doing at home if they had space. Do this early on in the design or renovation phase. That way you can craft a space that really works with clear objectives in mind.&#; says Isabella Caprario on her article How to Create an Indoor/Outdoor Space That&#;s Fun and Functional.
While all outdoor tiles can withstand the elements, they aren&#;t all built the same.
Some outdoor tiles are tougher than others. That means some outdoor tile is prone to scratches, cracks, and other damage. Make sure you get an outdoor tile that can last in your area.
You should also think about how you plan to use your tile. Do you plan to use it on a wall? Are you installing in on the ground? The answer to this question might affect the type of tile you need.
Some outdoor tile works better on walls. Other outdoor tile works better when you install it on the ground. Make sure you get the right type for your project.
Do you live in an area with mild weather conditions? Do you get snow in the winter? Rain in the spring? Record high heat in the summer?
You should always look for outdoor tile that can handle your specific weather requirements. A tile that can hold up to heat may not do well with snow or ice. If you get a lot of rain, your tile might need an extra grip.
Base your tile search off of the type of weather your area gets.
Dark tile colors can make a shady area feel dank and gloomy. Similarly, light tile colors can make a sunny area feel washed out.
To get the best visual effect, always install light colored tile in places that don&#;t get a lot of sun. If your patio gets a lot of direct sunlight, use darker tile instead.
Don&#;t choose a tile style that&#;ll clash with the design of the rest of your home. For example, rustic outdoor tile will look odd and out of place with a sleek, modern home. Find something that&#;ll complement your style rather than detract from it.
You should also think about the color. Do you want your outdoor tile to match the color of your home? If not, make sure you pick a color that will blend in with the rest of your aesthetics.
Now that you have some tips for choosing the ideal outdoor tile for your home, let&#;s explore various options available to you. Below is a brief list highlighting some of the most popular choices for outdoor tiles.
Ceramic can handle mild weather conditions and light outdoor use, but it isn&#;t as strong as other types of outdoor tile. Because of this, you should only pick ceramic for covered patios or patios that don&#;t see a lot of extreme weather changes.
Remember, not all ceramic tile is made the same. Some types are weaker or stronger than others, so make sure you pick a durable option. Depending on what you buy, ceramic can be an affordable choice, but there is a lot of flexibility in the price range.
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Porcelain tile is dense and strong, which makes it a good choice for outdoor use. Make sure you find porcelain tile rated for the outdoors.
Indoor porcelain tile often has a glossy surface that will become very slippery if it gets wet so consider getting porcelain tiles with a textured surface.
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Quarry tile might not be suitable if you reside in an area with severe winters. It tends to deteriorate in freezing conditions and when exposed to ice.
On the bright side, rain poses no issue. Quarry tiles are water-resistant and maintain their grip even when wet. However, caution is necessary with other liquids, as this tile type is prone to staining.
In warm climates, quarry tile can be one of the best outdoor tile options for your home.
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Slate is a type of natural stone (which we will see more of on this list). Slate tile is durable and strong, and it also has a natural surface texture. This means it will be slip-resistant without you having to do anything else to it.
You can find slate in a variety of colors, including dark colors like black and grey and brighter colors like green or orange.
Granite, another natural stone, makes beautiful indoor countertops, but it doesn&#;t hold up as well outside.
Apart from being slippery, granite is also a porous material. In other words, it will absorb moisture, causing stains and other damage if you don&#;t seal it every few years.
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Concrete tile gives you a cheaper way to get a &#;natural stone&#; outdoor floor. Manufacturers mold the concrete tiles into the right texture and color them to make them look like natural stone. This gives your home a high-end look for a fraction of the cost.
Concrete tile is durable and can withstand harsh weather and heavy foot traffic. However, you will have to reseal it every few years.
Travertine is a natural stone that creates beautifully textured and colored tile.
This tile is hard, but it also has a pitted surface that can gather dirt over time. You can avoid this problem by polishing the surface so it&#;s smooth. However, if you choose to do this, it will become slippery when wet.
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Soapstone is a natural stone with a smooth and non-porous quality. This makes it resistant to stains and other types of water damage.
It can also withstand high levels of heat and freezing temperatures. Because of this, soapstone is a good option for almost any climate. If you&#;re looking for something to surround your pool, you might want to consider soapstone.
Limestone is a soft stone, meaning it can scratch and chip easily. You also have to seal this type of tile often to prevent water damage.
Don&#;t install limestone in your patio unless you live in a dry, mild environment.
While sandstone has a beautiful texture, it is even more fragile than limestone. Since this tile is made from layers of sand compressed together over time, it is soft and prone to scratches, chips, and cracks.
Water can also cause a lot of problems for sandstone. However, if you live in a dry area and seal it often, this tile can make a beautiful addition to your yard.
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Now that you know what outdoor tile suites your project best, it&#;s time to start the installation process. But, before you can get to work, you need the right tools!
The vast array of ceramic tile designs, shapes, sizes, and colors gives you the optimum advantage when choosing ceramic tile. The best ceramic tile can really compliment the personal aesthetic you have planned for your home.
Understanding what ceramic tile is, exploring its benefits, and comparing options is crucial for informed decisions.
You can purchase ceramic tile through many outlets, ranging from home improvement stores to showrooms to online retailers. In all cases, it is important to:
A tile professional can help you narrow down which ceramic tile is best. Specifically, a Certified Ceramic Tile Specialist (CCTS) can help guide you toward the best tile decision to meet your expectations.
A CCTS can work with you (typically in a showroom setting) to discover the type of project you are working on, as well as your lifestyle needs. They can also assist with the design vision you have in mind, and the technical specifications your project will require. Your specialist is trained to guide you toward all the considerations that will make the decision process fun and satisfying. You can feel confident you are working with the materials most appropriate for your project.
When shopping for the best tile for a shower project, a CCTS will consider what needs are desired for the shower (such as accessibility) and type of shower you have or are building:
Properly installed and maintained ceramic tile is part of a waterproof installation system that has been trusted for centuries to protect your underlayment and construction from water damage.
A CCTS tile professional is trained in both the aesthetics and functionality of ceramic tile. They stay current on new manufacturing advancements and installation standards through required continuing education courses. Additionally, every three years they go through a renewal of certification.
Specifics for shower installations can impact your tile choice. For example, a curbless shower needs the space and tile size that will allow for an installation that slopes slightly toward a drain. Your specialist can suggest tile selections that will work best with a curbless shower the size of your space. Likewise, a wet room requires tiling the ceiling. Your specialist can steer you toward selections that will work for your shower floor, walls, and ceiling.
Additionally, CCTS professionals understand the maintenance of ceramic tile in different applications and can advise you on the simple cleaning of your shower tile.
In addition to shower tile considerations, bathroom flooring, countertops, wall tile, and backsplashes are all surfaces that benefit from the protective surface of ceramic tile in areas exposed to moisture. Coordinate your surfaces with the help of a CCTS to find an option that works with existing elements, as well as surfaces in other areas of your home.
While you may be shopping for ceramic tile flooring in one room or for ceramic tile to use in an open floor plan, your flooring decision needs to coordinate with your whole-house aesthetic. The wide variety of looks available in ceramic tile include minimalist, biophilic, traditional, urban, farmhouse, and more.
Not sure of your style? Trust a tile professional to help you determine which style fits with your home, including options that work with an eclectic or transitional style.
Ceramic tile uses in a kitchen include the kitchen flooring, backsplash, countertop, and even cabinet cladding and kitchen islands. Ceramic tile &#;families&#; provide collections with variations to offer different sizes, shapes, and colors to coordinate a complete kitchen look.
Outdoor living areas allow us to bring the comfort of our homes outdoors. Ceramic tile offers options that help you carry the same tile look from indoors to outdoors for a consistent aesthetic that extends your living space.
Outdoor living areas can include fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, walkways, pools, patios, porches and facades. Also, ask your CCTS tile professional for ceramic tile appropriate for your area&#;s freeze-thaw conditions. Ceramic tile will not fade from the sun or pool chemicals and provides the same easy maintenance as your indoor tile. That means stain and scratch resistance and resistance to damage from falling limbs and heavy outdoor furniture. Ceramic tile won&#;t melt or give off toxic fumes when exposed to heat so you can use ceramic tile around your outdoor fireplace or firepit.
Mosaic tile is technically defined as having a facial area of less than 9 in². The smaller size allows for creative combinations of colors and patterns to create custom installations and even decorative murals. Choose a full range of colors within a shape or either a range of shapes within a color family so that you can create a mosaic to match your imagination.
While mosaic tiles represent the smallest tiles you&#;ll find, gauged porcelain tile panels/slabs are XXL tiles that can measure up to 15 feet! These grand tiles create beautiful wallpapered looks, natural looks of stone or giant gemstones, and are a popular choice for creating a minimalist look because of the reduced number of grout lines.
Despite such a big size, XXL panels/slabs are quite versatile in application and work well for flooring, countertops, custom furniture, wall tile, and backsplashes. The use of XXL tile requires specialized tools and installation standards. A CCTS can advise you on questions to ask your installer to understand if they are qualified to install XXL tile.
Love the look of wood but are shopping for something more durable? Wood-look ceramic tile&#;s hard-baked surface is resistant to scratches, staining, denting, and fading. Additionally, ceramic tile remains looking great year after year without the refinishing that can be necessary with wood. These low-maintenance advantages, combined with ceramic tile&#;s water and heat-resistance mean your wood-look ceramic tile has both the aesthetic and the durability features you need.
Ceramic tile is known for a wide variety of color options from the brightest whites to the richest blacks, from earth tones to jewel tones&#;your favorite hues in bold solids, patterns, pastels, and variegated colors.
A CCTS, who keeps current on new offerings, understands trends and manufacturer product lines to help steer you toward the best kinds of tile for your project in your preferred palette.
Patterns can be contained within each tile piece or each tile piece can connect to create a larger pattern. (Keep in mind that tile shapes and colors can be installed to create a pattern, as well.) When shopping for a patterned tile, a tile professional can help you understand the critical considerations of the different looks you can create with a specific tile, how grout colors might affect your pattern, and how to calculate purchase amounts for matching the pattern in your installation.
We have the New York subway system to thank for subway tile! In case you were wondering about the name origin, subway tile grew in popularity after the New York subways chose white rectangular ceramic tile as a durable and easy to maintain and clean surface material. White was selected to help subway users feel the underground areas were clean and bright.
Many manufacturers have a subway tile line of products and the options can be overwhelming without a guide to help you navigate the options. Rely on a CCTS to recommend more than just a specific subway tile but also tiles with appropriate characteristics for your project and your aesthetic.
One of the most important advantages of working with a CCTS is they study the latest manufacturer and industry developments. As an example of this crucial knowledge, the American National Standard Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials (ANSI A326.3) was revised in to include a five-category product use classification system so that manufacturers of hard flooring materials can communicate possible areas of use for flooring based on the slip resistance characteristics of their products.
Discuss the intended use for your space with your CCTS so that you can review a product&#;s category classification. Manufacturers can specify one or more of these categories for a given product. A CCTS can help you use the classification system to find the best tile options for you project:
The availability of this product use information in the marketplace will lead to better specifications of tile for projects and correspondingly a reduction in slip events, which is significant for consumer safety.
Ceramic tile has been the preferred choice around the world for centuries for its timeless beauty and durability. It offers lower maintenance and a quality lifespan that measures the life of a building. Ceramic tile&#;s durability provides a life-cycle value that outperforms other floor finishes in cost per square foot over time.
Ceramic tiles come in a wide-range of colors, shapes, and styles &#; and also find a wide range of price points.
Ceramic tile is a smart choice for reducing negative environmental impacts, resource use, and demolition waste. This is especially evident when you compare it to flooring products that require frequent replacement. A CCTS can review these sustainable benefits with you:
Ceramic tile offers many ways to have a one-of-a-kind look. Truth be told, qualified tile installers turn every installation of ceramic tile into a work of art with their talent. To achieve a unique design consider exploring these options with your CCTS and installer:
Shopping for new ceramic tile is a fun experience. There are many style considerations and installation factors to consider while you are making your choice. Trust a Certified Ceramic Tile Specialist to help guide you with every step.
Use these valuable resources to also assist you:
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