In this complete guide to porcelain external floor tiles we explore how outdoor porcelain tiles are transforming home and garden design. We take a look at current tile trends, the latest tile finishes and how porcelain tiles compare with more traditional stone tiles for outside spaces. In addition, we review how tile size can impact overall design. So let’s start by exploring external floor tiles in a little more detail.
External floor tiles can be used to create everything from a patio, a pathway, stepping stones or even a space with a specific purpose eg a dining area, a space in which you can dine, entertain, relax or work. Whatever you are aiming to create, you will want a canvas that is durable, hardwearing, practical and beautiful to look at.
It is important to consider the kind of look and feel you want to achieve for your outdoor space. Natural stone external floor tiles bring their own charm and a more rustic approach with tumbled edges, slightly uneven surfacing and larger grout lines. Porcelain external floor tiles on the other hand are designed to bring a contemporary look and feel with crisp, clean lines, rectified tile edges, slim grout joints and flat, even surfacing – quite a different look from the natural, random appearance of natural stone.
With more of us looking to extend the useable space in our homes and the advent of bi-fold and sliding door systems that enhance the connection between the internal and external spaces of our home, porcelain tiles really are a top pick for projects. As one of the only materials that can be used with ease across home and garden, porcelain is ideal for projects where you want the same look flooring running inside and out. Or if you are just planning a garden overhaul and want a truly contemporary space, then porcelain will definitely deliver.
There are a number of key trends we see relating to external floor tiles:
Large formats – tile formats have been steadily increasing over the past few years with larger formats fast becoming the go-to for homes. 600 x 600mm tile formats still remain hugely popular and are a great size for smaller patios partly because they are easy to handle from an installation perspective and smaller tiles tend to be less expensive than larger formats. 1200 x 600mm formats are ideal for larger spaces, they can also add interest with laying patterns and make great stepping stones for pathways. Even larger formats such as 800 x 800mm, 1m x 1m and 1200 x 1200mm are more popular than ever before. Ultimately, the larger the tile, the less grout lines and this brings a seamless, calming look and feel to spaces. Less lines equals less busy.
Warmer tones – colour palettes are definitely warming up with putties, sands and taupe tones filling our homes. And outdoor tiles are no exception. We have a whole host of warmer toned outdoor porcelain tiles. These sought after neutral toned porcelain tiles pair beautifully with wood, textiles and natural materials and outdoor is no exception as these earthy hues are a perfect backdrop for gorgeous garden greenery.
Contemporary look and feel – As we will see one of the key reasons to plump for porcelain tiles is the availability of exquisite design especially in those high-quality products. Add to this the fact that porcelain tiles with rectified ie straight tile edges are designed to bring an architectural look to spaces that is perfectly in keeping with today’s modern interiors.
Patios are not just patios. They can be rooms and spaces in which we can dine, entertain, cook, work and relax – yes of course the weather is crucial – although these spaces can be designed with some weather proofing eg awnings – but we are designing areas that are an extension of our home and taking the inside out and bringing the outside in. Porcelain tiles are ideal as the canvas for the modern outdoors.
A flush, streamlined floor – in contrast to the more irregular, rustic design of natural stone, porcelain external floor tiles are more precise and more akin to an internal porcelain tiled floor. Minimal grout lines; straight, rectified tile edges; flat, flush finishing. All these features also mean you can opt for porcelain tiles inside and continue that look and feel out onto the patio unifying your internal and external spaces.
Exquisite design – not all porcelain external floor tiles are made equally. Our Italian 2cm patio pavers are a sublime example of exquisite Italian styling and top-notch design. Porcelain tiles are specifically designed to reinterpret other materials so you will find porcelain outdoor tiles that look like stone, slate, quartz, concrete, cement, wood and more. How well these tiles mimic these materials is all down to the quality and manufacturing.
Scratch and stain resistant – as a material porcelain is hard to beat from a durability perspective. Porcelain tiles are highly scratch and stain resistant making them the ideal choice for kitchens and dining areas. This also means they are a good option for outside kitchens and dining areas too.
Inhibit the growth of mould and moss – porcelain tiles naturally inhibit the growth of mould and moss so with the exception of a very dark, dank corner of the garden that doesn’t see daylight, your tiles will stay moss and mould free.
Frost and fade resistant – Choosing the right external floor tiles isn’t just about design, it is also about choosing a material that will cope whatever the weather and that really does mean frost or shine. Of course, correct installation is key – it is critical to ensure your tiles are installed by a professional.
Another great attribute of porcelain tiles are the finishes they are available in. For outside areas antislip finishes are key. External tiles tend to be rougher in texture than internal tiles. This gives you added grip for outside areas where water may be present. With high quality external tiles the antislip texture is not just about safety, it is also about the look and feel of the tiles themselves. For example. tiles that are designed to mimic real stone may feature a coarser texture eg our Fusion Limestone collection, whereas collections that are mimicking micro cement may feature a much more refined surface texture for example our Tone collection. All tiles are R11 A+B+C slip rated but the look and feel of their surface is very much in keeping with the style of the tile.
We hope our guide to porcelain external floor tiles has helped you find your feet! Check out our extensive selection of 2cm porcelain patio pavers all of which have a co-ordinating internal 9mm Matt tile and start planning the garden of your dreams!
Tone 2cm concrete effect porcelain tiles
Blend 20mm exterior floor tiles – Matchstick
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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.
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