Why You Should Use Tile to Finish Your Outdoor Patio

For those that are fortunate enough to have an outdoor space, it can bring joy and entertainment all year long. A cozy patio space with a nice fire pit can take the chill off a cool autumn night, or a shady spot in your yard to enjoy the cool breezes of summer can be a perfect place to enjoy time with your family and friends.

Your outdoor spaces need to be maintained in the same way as the rest of your home. It’s likely that your patio surface will get a lot of traffic, and you’ll likely want to lay down a flooring system that will stand up to some abuse, severe weather and still look great.

With the help of the pros at Amber, you can find the right outdoor tiling that will be durable and fit your style. Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits of using tile to finish your outdoor patio.

Types of Outdoor Tiles

There is a wide range of outdoor tiling material that you can consider for your outdoor space. The options are beneficial for all budgets and styles.

Porcelain

• Porcelain is a dense form of ceramic and is a suitable material for outdoor use. A textured finish will produce a less slippery surface for your patio. Prices can vary widely for porcelain tiles.

Quarry

• While quarry stones are no longer dug from the earth but hard baked in a clay kiln, they still provide premium strength for use on your outdoor patio. Check your product for a PEI rating to make sure that it is durable enough for high traffic areas. While cheaper than porcelain, the cost can vary widely for quarry stone.

Travertine

• Travertine is a form of limestone that can give your patio an earthy and rugged look. Be wary of where your stone was mined. European stone is considered better quality than stone from Mexico or China.

Slate

• Slate is a popular material for outdoor patios thanks to it’s attractive and strong elements. It has a slightly rough surface making it the perfect non-slip flooring for your outdoor patio.

Soapstone

• Soapstone is a great surface material for surrounding pools as it is resistant to water staining and seepage. The buttery surface will stand up to heavy traffic and is available in many colors and patterns.

Plastic Tiles

• If you have young children and your outdoor space will be seeing a lot of action, you may want to consider plastic tiles. These unique and indestructible tiles interlock for a stylish look. They will stand up to any weather and are tough as nails.

Concrete

• For homeowners on a budget, stamped concrete tiles are an affordable option. These unique tiles can be molded, colored and stamped in almost any configuration for a fraction of the cost of porcelain or slate tiles.

Carpet

• Indoor or outdoor carpet tiles are an excellent choice that will bring a bit of warmth and texture to your outdoor patio. Available in a variety of colors and patterns, carpet tiles are a great choice for covered patio areas.

Benefits of Outdoor Tile

Resistant to Elements

Most of the damage that is done to classic decking materials like wood or cement is from rain and snow. As these materials sit in water or under snow, their porous nature absorbs the moisture and becomes damaged. When you use tile on your patio, you are getting a waterproof surface where moisture cannot penetrate. This means that tile will last for many years longer than wood or cement. This reduces your replacement cost and keeps your patio solid for decades.

Savings

Using tile on your outdoor patio will require a larger investment than with other materials. While the initial price tag may be higher with tile, you will see more savings over time than with any other material. In less than a decade, most wood patios need to be repaired or replaced, costing the homeowner thousands of dollars. With a tile patio, you will never have to repair or replace the material making this a great return on your investment.

Durability

Tiles made from stone and porcelain are incredibly tough and durable. This makes them perfect for an outdoor space. You can order a variety of colors, shapes, and styles of tiles for your outdoor space and expect them to look great after years of use and abuse. Tile will hold up to heavy traffic, pets, and severe weather and keep your patio surface intact for many years.

Design Options

Wood decking may be practical, but there’s only so much you can do on the design side of things. When you choose tile for your outdoor space, you have unlimited design options. There are many colors, sizes, shapes, and patterns to choose from. Work with your tile designer to create a unique look for your one-of-a-kind outdoor patio.

Over the years, styles will change, but with a quality tile surface on your outdoor patio, you will have a brilliant look that will stand the test of time. Outdoor tiles are incredibly durable, will stand up to moisture and severe weather, give you endless design options and save you money.