Different Types of Tiles for Outdoor Patios and How to Choose One

Choosing tiles for your outdoor patio is a complex affair and requires quite a bit of planning and consideration. There are several factors that must be considered, such as color, strength, budget, and more. However, before exploring the factors needed to choose one, let’s go over why you may want tiles on your patio and what your available options are.

Why You May Want Tiles on Your Patio
While most patios are designed with concrete or brick, tiles are also an excellent option. This allows you to choose from a much wider range of design options and also grants considerable freedom in changing things up when you want to. Moreover, if you already have a concrete patio, you can apply tiles on it to freshen up its look.

Types of Tiles for Outdoor Patios
Let’s explore some popular tile options for outdoor patios and how they measure up for various requirements.

• Slate

If you’re looking to incorporate a natural stone appearance into your patio, slate would likely be your ideal choice. It is an extremely durable material and is also water-resistant which makes it ideal for regions with high rainfall.

• Granite

Granite is an igneous rock which makes it a great choice for a natural, volcanic appearance. It is excellent for dry regions but can get quite slippery in rainy weather. Granite is also not as weather-proof as slate and needs regular maintenance.

• Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock and is quite popular in outdoor tiles. The fact that it’s made from fossilized marine life and its great abundance in the world makes it one of the more affordable options on this list.

• Sandstone

Sandstone is also a sedimentary rock; however, it is made from compressed stone instead of fossils. While this looks extremely beautiful and is also quite soft, sandstone isn’t very durable and can scratch or crack rather easily.

• Travertine

Travertine has a naturally beautiful color and ideal texture for tiling. While in some regions, it is considered a kind of limestone, the two have a few distinguishing qualities. Travertine is actually rather slippery, and if left un-polished, it can collect quite a bit of dirt in its pores.

• Soapstone

Soapstone also has an extremely smooth texture; however, unlike most materials on this list, soapstone is quite water-resistant. It is a popular choice for tiling around swimming pools and also performs excellently in colder regions.

• Quarry

Unlike what it may sound like, quarry is actually an artificial material made from several natural minerals. These tiles are extremely strong and are in fact designed specifically for usage on outdoor patios. Unfortunately, it is a bit lacking for regions where winters are rather dominating.

• Ceramic

Ceramic tiles are very commonly used in outdoor patios across the world. These are strong and water-resistant tiles as long as not a lot of force is applied to them. Fortunately, these are also the cheapest and easiest to replace in case of any damage.

• Porcelain

Porcelain is a more refined form of ceramic that is made by firing the clay at a much higher temperature. This allows the creation of patio tiles that are designed to last a lot longer than standard ceramic tiles. 

• Concrete

If you’re already a fan of the concrete patio look, you may want to opt for concrete tiles since they provide the same appearance and durability at a fraction of the cost.

• Wood

Wood decks offer a luxurious look to any patio, and with wooden tiles, you can achieve this look for a budget-friendly price. Most wooden patio tiles are made from high-quality and weather-resistant woods such as cedar and redwood, which makes them perfect for most homes.
How to Choose the Ideal Tile for Your Patio
Your best bet on getting the perfect tiles for your patio is to do your own research while also consulting an expert. However, if you choose to go thmore freee DIY route, you may want to look at the following factors before settling on a choice.

• Strength

Tiles that are naturally strong will last longer and give you dom in terms of what you can place on them.

• Cost

While you certainly shouldn’t compromise on the quality of the tile to save a few bucks, it is helpful to look at tiling materials within your designed budget and then find the best available options.

• Style

The style of the tile should match the rest of your patio while providing a slight contrast. Some materials offer greater customizability than others, so they might be worth looking into.

• Texture

The texture of your tiles will not only impact how slippery they get during the rain but also how much dirt they gather.
Final Thoughts
While considering the above options and tile types, you should be able to make an informed decision about the kind of tile you want for your patio. Justtilesetters has the most comprehensive list of professional tile setters. Download the app now and and find the best tile contractors.