Installing a patio is a key investment for any homeowner and picking the right product can feel like a daunting task. Why would you opt for porcelain tiles over other materials? How hardwearing is porcelain? And what do you need to consider before making a final decision.
Our ultimate guide ensures you know what outdoor tiles will be best for your specific project – and we’ll recommend some TilePortfolio customer favourites.
Porcelain tiles create a very different look compared to a natural stone. Natural stone patios tend to look and feel more rustic with larger grout lines, slightly uneven surfacing and a rustic feel and finish. In contrast, a porcelain tile patio is designed to look much like a contemporary inside room – a flush finish with minimal grout lines that creates a sleek canvas.
With porcelain, not only are you creating a patio, you are also creating a space in which you can dine, entertain or relax. With the advent of weather proof furniture including awnings, soft cushions, rugs and more, all designed specifically for outside spaces, it can make sense to create an outdoor space that is more than just a patio and is an extension of your home.
Porcelain tiles are incredibly hardwearing. They are also frost and fade resistant so come rain, shine or snow, they are designed to last. Crisp, rectified tile edges, a range of tile sizes and incredible design allow you to create an outdoor area that is simply stunning.
If you have decided on the porcelain route – and why wouldn’t you? – there are a few things to consider so let’s take a look.
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when it comes to outside tiles is slip ratings.
Tile slip ratings run from R9 to R13 and getting the right grading is crucial for safety.
Here is a helpful breakdown of each specific rating:
R9/R10
These tiles have a smooth surface and are ideal for internal areas like kitchens, dining areas, lounges or hallways.
R11/R12
This is the recommendation for outdoor patios. R11 tiles have a tactile texture that provides necessary grip underfoot, especially during wet conditions.
Therefore, when it comes to outdoor tiles, you should be looking for a minimum R11+ slip rating to ensure safety. Of course, it is key that tiles are cleaned appropriately to maintain the grip surface. If leaves, debris, mud or dirt build up then they will affect the slip rating. The good news is porcelain is pretty easy to keep clean!
To read more about slip ratings explore our guide.
Though our outdoor tiles may look the same as indoor ones, there is a crucial difference. Our outdoor patio pavers are in 20mm thickness – and many feature a co-ordinating 9mm thick tile for internal spaces.
This additional thickness means these tiles can withstand the weight of heavy garden furniture and are highly versatile. ideally, they are laid onto a fully cured concrete bed but there are other options too including compacted hardcore or laying directly onto gravel or grass to create stepping stones or pathways.
Maintenance is a huge factor in favour of porcelain. Its high-firing manufacturing process means porcelain requires no sealing and they are very good at handling everyday wear-and-tear. Of course, everything points to professional installation for any outdoor area.
Here is a helpful summary table which shows you the advantages and disadvantages between porcelain and other natural materials:
Feature | 20mm Porcelain | Natural Stone | Wood / Timber |
Maintenance | Very Low (No sealing required) | High (Needs annual sealing) | High (Needs staining/oiling) |
Porosity | < 0.5% (Frost & stain proof) | Porous (Absorbs moisture/oil) | Absorbent (Prone to rot) |
Durability | Fade & Scratch resistant | Can weather/Fade over time | Prone to warping & splintering |
Longevity | Long | Medium | Medium |
Tile edges are either rectified or non-rectified. Many natural stone tiles feature non-rectified tumbled edges and those edges are a feature of the tile itself. This means grout lines tend to be wider and are not uniform. There are non-rectified porcelain tiles too where the tiles are mimicking natural stone and grout lines would tend to be larger.
By contrast for a rectified porcelain tile where edges are precision cut you can achieve minimal grout joints of just 3–5mm, creating a sleek, almost seamless look across your patio.Porcelain tiles naturally bring a flat, flush and architectural feel to outdoor spaces, and the slim grout lines enhance this effect. The result is a beautifully cohesive patio that feels less like a garden and more like an extension of your home — creating a true room outdoors.
Tile size can really impact the overall look and feel of a space, so it is worth really taking some time to consider the best format for your project.
For practicality you can’t beat a 600 x 600mm tile format. This tile size is easy to handle on site from an installation perspective and can be less costly than larger tile sizes.
For a contemporary look and feel opting for a larger format tile can really open up space. Our 800 x 800mm tiles are a brilliant option – large enough to feel large format, cost effective and not too tricky from a handling perspective.
For a bold, contemporary look, our 1m x 1m outdoor porcelain tiles make a striking choice. Their generous format creates fewer grout lines, helping to achieve a clean, uninterrupted finish that makes outdoor spaces feel larger and more open. Their substantial size brings a sleek, architectural feel to patios and terraces.
1200 x 600mm outdoor porcelain tiles offer a sleek, contemporary look with a versatile format that works particularly well across both patios and larger outdoor spaces. The elongated proportions create a strong sense of direction, helping to visually lengthen a space, while the reduced number of grout lines gives the overall finish a clean and architectural feel.
A 1200 x 1200mm tile is the ultimate in minimising grout lines and adding an architectural look and feel to any space. This tile size is a substantial and so careful planning, preparation and handling are essential. It is also important to consider access to the installation area, as narrow gateways, steps or awkward spaces can make handling these larger tiles more challenging. Their size and weight also mean that specialist lifting, and installation equipment may be required.
Regardless of tile size, we would always recommend using an experienced installer who is familiar with porcelain, especially large-format outdoor porcelain if you are opting for bigger sizes.
The infinite floor is perhaps the defining feature of contemporary interior design. Smooth, sleek and practical, by laying your tiles in the right way you can make the eye glide across the porcelain surface in a graceful and easy manner.
The trick behind this mesmeric effect is simple: you use the same tile across your interior living space and outdoor patio.
We have an extensive selection of tiles that have corresponding 9mm matt tiles to co-ordinate with outdoor 20mm thick tiles.
Below are three tiles we simply adore for indoor-outdoor designs:
Stride Arena
Stride Arena is our top pick for an indoor-outdoor candidate. This limestone effect Italian porcelain tile is beautifully designed featuring a warm taupe background with the subtlest hint of grey and creams and whites. It is a porcelain tile which will allow you to link lounge to lawn, or dining room to garden, with sophistication and grace. The whole Stride collection is gorgeous, but if there is a standout colour … it’s Arena.
Browse our latest Stride Arena project
Tone Concrete Effect Porcelain Tile
We love the simplicity of our Tone collection. This is an ultra-modern tile with minimal movement across the surface. There are two shades – a warm brown-grey in Concrete and the sophisticated lighter and warmer Ecru. Both are best suited to projects where you want contemporary design and a beautiful tile to create a stunningly simple canvas.
Explore our latest Tone Concrete Project
Ethos Shore Stone Look Porcelain Tile
Last, but certainly not least, is this charming stone look tile. The wonderful randomness of this tiles design is what makes it special with tiles featuring a cascade of subtle colour changes to create a realistic stone effect tile. This tile is a sublime off-white that is both contemporary and yet bridges the space between the old and new making this tile perfectly at home in both modern interiors and a more traditional setting.
Have a look at the Ethos Shore Stone Look Porcelain Tile here.
From practical advantages to aesthetic variety – plus, the bonus of being able to do indoor-outdoor continuous designs – porcelain beats other natural materials as the premium choice in the contemporary design world.
Below is a link which will take you to our full Portfolio of outdoor tiles.
Next Steps
Browse: All Outdoor Porcelain Tiles
Visit in person: Our Showroom
Read: Our full guide to installing indoor and outdoor porcelain tiles
Click the images to head straight to these tiles on our website. Working on a project? We’d love to help! Get in touch and let us start searching for beautiful tiles with you!
If you would like to know more, please get in touch...
The TilePortfolio specialise in Italian and Spanish Porcelain and Ceramic tiles, in particular large format Porcelains and Porcelain tiles for inside and outside. Our carefully curated, stunning tile portfolios are beautifully presented online and supported by our fuss-free ‘go-the-extra-tile’ service. In addition, you can view our entire tile collection at our Northamptonshire Showroom. Visit our website for unmissable interiors inspiration. The TilePortfolio team are always available to chat, we’d be delighted to help with your project so please do get in touch.
Please note: We strongly recommend using a professional tiler for your project. Installation requirements may vary depending on the tiles you choose, the fixing products used and the specific conditions. Always check with your tiler regards the suitability of the tiles. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
