Porcelain floor tiles for outdoor use and slip resistance

With trends for 2023 and beyond predicting that outdoor spaces will be one of the areas we are investing in, more and more of us will be taking outside, what is inside, creating outdoor spaces in which to lounge, entertain and dine.

We have ranges of porcelain floor tiles for outside use that have style in spades, so if you're looking for something that little bit special, read on. Find out more about how porcelain tiles can transform your garden and what you need to know about tile slip resistance.

View Poise Silver 2cm porcelain pavers with an R11 A+B+C rating

No matter how small that space is, even the tiniest of outdoor areas can be turned into a tranquil oasis; these are spaces with a touch of luxury about them and very different to spaces that feature the rustic charm of flagstones or slate.

View Essence 20mm thick outside porcelain with an R11 A+B+C rating

Porcelain is the ideal material for outside spaces. It's considered one of the leading materials for innovation and practicality and is so versatile. It's frost and fade resistant, scratch and stain resistant and it's the perfect pick to create spaces that have a crisp, architectural feel about them.

Before you embark on your project, it's important to know that porcelain floor tiles for outside are tested and graded for their slip resistance. Those grades can help choose the right tiles for your project. They are important, particularly for the elderly or those with visual or mobility issues.

Porcelain tiles come in lots of surface finishes. For inside there is everything from Matt to Polished, Satin to Soft and more. Outside tiles generally have a rougher surface than inside tiles. This is because an extra layer of frit is applied to the tile to create the antislip surface to give that extra grip.

View Docklands Grey 10mm porcelain tiles for outside in R11 A+B+C rating 10mm thickness - this tile can be used inside and outside in Antislip Soft finish - a 10mm porcelain must be installed onto a concrete bed and these tiles are great for smaller patio areas.

Slip Rating Tests

There are a number of tests that apply to slip resistance. The Ramp Test is the most commonly found rating. Tiles are given an R rating of between 9 and 13 with slip resistant outside porcelain tiles achieving a rating of R11 or higher.

The Ramp Test is for shod foot ie where an individual walks on a wet surface wearing cleated safety boots whilst being held in a harness. The angle of the ramp is adjusted and whilst doing this the degree at which the person slips is the R value.

There's an additional layer of testing - DIN51097 - which is carried out in wet and barefoot conditions and the same angles repeated. This should be considered where tiles are being used around swimming pools, wet rooms or any other places where footwear would not be worn. In this case tiles are given an A, B or C rating.

Tiles with an A rating for dry barefeet areas eg a kitchen or bathroom.
Tiles with a B rating for pool surrounds and showers.
Tiles with a C rating are for commercial pools, jacuzzis and gym showers.

In addition there is a PTV test which replicates the motion of a slipping foot and the tiles response to that motion by measuring the surface friction between them. The value generated is called a PTV value and it is between 1 and 100. The Health and Safety Executive 's guidelines recommend a minimum score of 36 for floor coverings used in public places in both wet and dry conditions.

It is important to understand that the ratings are not necessarily black and white so the best way to ensure you choose the best tiles is to chat through your project requirements and get some advice from a trustworthy source.

For more information on Slip Ratings see our Guide.

All our outside porcelains have an R rating and an ABC rating. You will find this on our product pages.

Poise Silver 2cm thick slab in R11 A+B+C rated for outside has a co-ordinating Matt tile for inside with an R10 A+B rating

Incorrect care and maintenance can affect the slip rating of tiles. Poor initial cleaning where excess grout is not successfully removed can result in a build up of dirt on the tile surface over time. So it is important the correct cleaning procedures are carried out at the start. Using the incorrect day to day cleaning products can leave a film on tiles. Ongoing, porcelain really only requires a sweep or vacuum along with a mop and warm water inside and outside, a sweep up and jet wash should do the trick. See Care + Maintenance for more information.

View Artisan Rope 600 x 600 2cm slabs to outside with an R11 A+B+C rating and inside 9mm Matt tiles with an R10 A+B rating

Our porcelain tiles for outside and in!

Many of our collections feature a co-ordinating inside porcelain tile making it easy to connect inside and outside spaces with the same flooring if you wish. The creme de la creme really is a 2cm porcelain paver onto concrete. However, sometimes you may not have a concrete bed and the beauty of 2cm thick tiles is there are other install options.

Sometimes, you may simply need a 1cm or 9mm thick tile for a specific reason eg a threshold thickness issue for example.

Check out our 2cm porcelain pavers for outside in Antislip finish with a co-ordinating 9mm tile for inside - the inside tile can be in a Matt, Soft or other finish depending on the collection. View 20mm porcelains

Blend Dove 2cm porcelain paver with R11 A+B+C rated outside tile with a Matt R10 A+B rated tile for inside (also a Soft tile for inside with no rating)

9mm and 10mm porcelain tiles for inside and outside in Antislip Soft finish - so the same tile can be used inside and outside. These tiles benefit from a surface finish where antislip technology and soft finish combine to create an Antislip Soft finish that can be used inside and outside and is designed for easier cleaning. Or if you need a little more grip, opt for a tile from our Metro collection with an R12 A+B+C rating.

View Metro Bone 10mm All-in-one porcelain tiles with an R11 A+B+C rating for inside and outside

Installation

20mm outside porcelain slabs and 9 or 10mm outside porcelains require different installation procedures and products.

20mm porcelain pavers are more flexible regards install, ideally installation is onto a concrete bed with the right adhesives, however, if that is not an option then you could opt for a compacted hardcore base, they can also be laid on grass or directly onto gravel, where 10mm porcelains can't.

9mm or 10mm porcelains must be laid on a concrete bed, however, because they are thinner than their 20mm counterparts they are easier to cut and easier to handle, particularly in larger formats. Among key considerations, it is vital the correct install products are used and the tile is fully supported on a full bed of adhesive ie there are no air pockets underneath.

You will find more information on our website or for more advice or help with porcelain floor tiles for outside use, please contact us, we'd be delighted to help!

We always recommend having your tiles installed by a professional and checking with your installer that your chosen tiles are suitable for your application.
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 and video design consultancy. 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. www.thetileportfolio.co.uk.

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.