tiles

When you want to make a great addition to the exterior of your house, you need to go through all of the possibilities for tiles and figure out which one is the type for you. This is why we have made this article, in order to help you figure out your ideal tiles! So, let’s get right into it.

Since tiles are more sturdy and permanent than pavers they are durable, easy to maintain, and a great surface for outdoor spaces like decks and patios. Outdoor tiles come in a wide variety, but they are all attractive and durable enough to survive in outdoor settings. You can choose the ideal surfacing material for your deck or patio by being more knowledgeable about some of the popular outdoor tile selections.

 

1. Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are known for their resistance and for being very sturdy. They are extremely good at taking in traffic and can be used on a variety of patios. However, for outdoor use, you need to choose porcelain tiles that have high slip resistance. This is necessary to protect yourself when going outside after a hard rain has hit your house. The best choices for slip-resistant porcelain tiles include textured, matt tiles that do not have a high gloss surface (as it will cause the material to be more slippery when you walk over it). Porcelain tiles are in the more expensive category of tiles but are still cheaper than tiles that use natural stone.

2. Slate Tiles

Slate is known for being one of the most beautiful types of natural stone. It can fit a patio in any climate and has high durability and high resistance to the elements. It has the extra bonus of being highly customizable, which means that you can get slate tiles in natural green, aristocratic purple, and even sunny orange! Slate tiles are metamorphic rocks that are formed under immense heat and pressure. They have natural textures that prevent them from being as slippery as other natural stones. Because they have such good specifications, they also fit under the higher-end category of stone tiles. They are easily one of the most expensive types of tiles on this list. When approaching tiles you should know that any kind of tile that is made from natural stone will be on the higher end in terms of costs.

3. Quarry Tiles

Quarry tiles are, usually, made from artificial stones that are made from smashed natural minerals and dense unglazed clay that are extremely familiar to bricks in terms of how they are made and the final look they have. They serve as great paving material for patios. Despite their great strength, you can only get them in a very limited variety of colors which include red, gray, and brown. They have the great advantage of being highly slip-resistant, even when it’s raining. They don’t fall under the high price range category either. The downside of using quarry tiles is that they can get easily damaged in colder climates, and are really easy to stain if not sealed regularly.

4. The Question of Ceramic Tiles

They might look good, but they have a lot of negative side effects to them. Experts around the world can’t make a consensus on whether ceramic tiles are good or not for the outdoors. The question stems from their weakness against the elements. If you live in a rainy place or a place that has colder climates, stay clear of outdoor ceramic tiles. They might look good but they aren’t strong enough to withstand the natural elements when exposed to them. Ceramic tiles absorb water and are prone to mold and cracking. With this said, they are only really good if you live in a warmer area with rarely any rain. In the case that you do opt for ceramic tiles for the outdoors, you should make sure that they have a sufficient PEI rating.

PEI ratings determine how resistant the tiles are to abrasion by mimicking footfall and different levels of traffic over the tiles with the help of machines. And ceramic tiles are judged to be best used for light levels of traffic as they are made from clay heated at high temperatures. So, if you do opt for ceramic tiles, make sure to get tiles that are sturdy enough for regular traffic. Ceramic tiles can have extremely different price ranges, but they are consistently cheaper than porcelain and natural stone tiles. If you want to know whether ceramic tiles are a good fit for your property, you should consult with your tile supplier.

5. Sandstone Tiles

Sandstone tiles are made from sedimentary rocks that are known for their soft touch. This, however, comes as a double-edged sword. Because they are so pleasant to walk on, their softness makes them prone to scratch marks. They are also, like ceramic tiles, very susceptible to rain. In order to preserve them, you need to regularly seal them in order to prevent major damage from being done by the rain. Sandstone tiles are best-suited in dry climates that don’t experience much (preferably any) rain. Despite being made from natural stones, sandstone is surprisingly cheap while retaining high quality. This is because of their vulnerability to scratches which lowers their price quite a bit.

6. Granite Tiles

Granite tiles are natural stone tiles made of solidified magma or lava after it cools, primarily composed of quartz. These tiles are highly-polished and they can become very slippery when exposed to rain. It’s also very porous, which means it needs to be sealed regularly in order to prevent stains and water from building up. Another bright aspect of granite is that it is extremely easy to install, and can be a great option for DIY in order to save money. If you want to cut it or reshape it, however, you need to do it with a wet saw (you can get one at a rental center temporarily if it’s only for the granite tiles). Granite tiles are sold as premium tiles and fall under the more expensive category.

7. Wooden Tiles

Wood tiles are tiles made from large composite planks attached to backing strips. If you opt for wooden tiles, you should make sure to buy ones that are weather-resistant. Weather-resistant wooden tiles are made from redwood or cedar. A great benefit of wooden tiles is that they don’t require an under-structure. Yet another great option for people who want to work on their patio DIY style. A disadvantage of wooden tiles is that they are, on average, more expensive than regular tiles.

8. Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles are a niche choice for many. But this is also why they stand out when installed! They are completely made from indoor carpeting and can be either peel-and-stick, installed with the use of adhesive tape, or have interlocking edges. A great DIY option, as they can be installed over concrete slabs without any real pain. They can also be easily removed if they suffer from any stains or damage. They are very cost-effective and require low maintenance, but they may look tacky to some people.

 

As you can see, there are a lot of high-quality tiles to choose from, but every type has its weakness. Whether it’s durability, slipperiness, or the price. The ideal type of tile is determined based on what you are looking for, where you live, and the budget that you have at your disposal.

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