An outdoor patio is more than just an extension of a house. An outdoor patio is a place where a person might drink there morning coffee while reflecting on the day ahead. An outdoor patio is a place where a person can enjoy the warmth of summer with their feet bare on the warm patios.
Each of these uses for an outdoor patio are important considerations when making the decision of which type of patio tile to use in your backyard or garden area. The choices you make will impact many different aspects of your patio, including the comfort of the tiles under your feet, the way the tiles stand up to temperature extremes in your climate, and even the way they may hold up against the occasional wine glass that may be dropped during a dinner gathering. Patio tiles must meet a few different criteria before being considered for use in your outdoor living area.
Many individuals dont have an appreciation for the various requirements of patio tiles until they have chosen the wrong type of tile for there area. Among the requirements of the tile include the ability to stand up to freezing winters and blistering summers, the ability to stand up to the various weather temperatures in between these extremes, and the requirement that the tile looks good in the outdoor area to encourage the individual to spend time within the patio area. The type of tile that many individuals choose for their patios is porcelain tile.
Best Types of Outdoor Patio Tile
1. Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is a standard choice for outdoor patios for a simple reason: porcelain tile is fired at extremely high temperatures during the production process. As a result of this high-temperature firing process, porcelain tile is dense and nonporous to water. Porcelain tile can be exposed to rain or to the freeze-thaw cycles of areas like the Midwest, yet will not crack or stain like natural stone can.
Moddern porcelain tile also comes in various finishes, such as wooden looks, marble looks, and textured finishes that offer good traction when wet. The upkeep of porcelain tile is minimal; simply hosing it down will clean the area. The drawback to porcelain tile is that it is generally hard and does not provide the sensation of comfort to bare feet when standing on chilly patios in the mornings.
However, the textured finishes help to eliminate this issue.
2. Concrete Pavers
Another type of tile that is often considered for outdoor patios are concrete pavers. Concrete pavers offer an increased level of design flexibility to the patio area, and the cost of installing these tiles is generally within the budgets of the majority of homeowners.
The pavers can be any color, any texture, and any shape. Additionally, the individual nature of the pavers allows the area to accommodate for ground movement. Water can also drain between the individual pavers.
Many individuals appreciate the way that the pavers tend to age; they naturaly develop a patina that makes the patio look better over time. However, there are some considerations to the concrete paver option: it is important to prepare the subgrade upon which the pavers will be laid, and the pavers will eventually fade to some extent so they may need to be resealed periodically to maintain their original color.
3. Natural Slate Tile
Natural slate tile has a number of benefits for patios.
First, natural slate has some of the most beautiful textures for patio areas. Additionally, the natural clefts in the slate naturaly provide good traction for individuals who may be waking up with dew on their shoes or who may be lying on the patio after spending the afternoon in the sun. Slate is also very weather resistant.
The main drawback to slate tile is that the natural slabs are slightly uneven; there are no two slabs of slate identical in there appearance. Additionally, the porous nature of slate means that it is beneficial to seal the tile to avoid staining from fallen leaves or BBQ grease accumulation.
4. Travertine
Travertine is one of the classic materials selected for outdoor patios, particularly in areas that are warmer climates throughout the year.
Travertine features natural pits and crevices in the stone that create a sense of character to the material. The honed travertine finish is especially beneficial for patios because it provides traction while still looking elegant. Travertine also reflects the heat that falls upon the patio during the summer months rather than absorbing the heat from the sun; the travertine will feel cooler to the feet during the summertime heat.
However, travertine must be sealed annually, and travertine is a softer stone; it is possible that the travertine will suffer from scratches if heavy furniture is placed on the patio.
5. Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile features a variety of colors and designs that are more vibrant than porcelain tile. The firing temperature of ceramic tile is slightly lower than porcelain tile, which permits the tiles to feature brighter glazes that are more intricate.
Many of these newer ceramics are now treated with an improved resistance to frost, which makes them viable candidates for use in the northern regions of the country. Additionally, ceramic tile features small individual tiles that allow for intricate patterns to be made within the patios. Ceramic tiles are easy to clean and do not fade in the sun.
However, the recommendation is to avoid these tiles in areas of extreme temperature differences unless the tiles are specifically rated to stand up to those temperatures.
6. Composite Deck Tiles
For the individual who desires a low-maintenance patio yet wants the look of wood, composite deck tiles are an excellent choice. Composite deck tiles are interlocking squares that the individual can install themselves over an existing patio slab.
The composite deck tiles are cool to the touch while lying in the direct sun, and they will not splinter while someone is standing on them with bare feet. This makes the composite tile ideal for homes that have young children that may visit the patio with bare feet. While the early generations of composite deck tiles were noticeably synthetic in their composition, the newer generations of composite decks mimic the grain of hardwood so well that some of their guests may not be aware that the deck is actualy composite rather than wooden.
