Choosing the right exterior tile when designing your outdoor space is important. Exterior tiles improve the beauty of your outdoor space and contribute to its aesthetic appeal, functionality and durability.
Best exterior wall tiles contend with all the extremes that the weather offers and still have to look good in the process. Such tiles must withstand the effects of sunlight, rainfall, UV lighting, and weather experienced during winter.
Here are the best exterior tiles that you can use for your outdoor space.
- Porcelain tiles
- Ceramic tiles
- Natural stone tiles
- Wood-effect tiles
- Concrete tiles
- Slate tiles
- Travertine tiles
The different exterior tiles are built to withstand heavy foot traffic and are more textured to help prevent you and your guests from slipping. Every material has unique features, and the installation and use impact your choice.
The rest of this article explores what makes the best exterior tiles and discusses the different types of exterior tiles in great detail.
If you have other questions, you can always contact us at George Ceramics, we have specialized personnel to answer your questions.
What Makes the Best Exterior Tiles?
Outdoor tiles have to withstand different weather elements and meet certain standards to serve your intended purpose and withstand the harsh weather elements.
There are different features of the best exterior tiles, including:
Durability
Outdoor tiles need to withstand the harshness of the elements. While doing so, some tiles may last longer than others. The most durable exterior tiles resist scratches, cracks, heat, and rainfall. Such tiles lower the need for frequent replacement or repair because they resist damage.
High PEI rating
When choosing tiles for your exterior space, you might be distracted by designs and colors. However, it is best to choose the tile of the right PEI rating or hardness and not be distracted only by the visual features.
A tile with a higher PEI rating is more abrasion-resistant and suitable for outdoor spaces with heavy foot traffic. Therefore, if you select a hard-wearing tile, it will look good for a long time.
Slip-resistance
External tiles are exposed to rainfall and can be susceptible to slipping. In this regard, slip resistance is a key feature when choosing the best tiles for your outdoor space because it will help minimize falls and accidents.
Frost-resistance
If you reside in an area with harsh weather patterns, buying exterior tiles that can withstand freezing conditions is best. Such tiles have a sealed texture, making it impossible to crack or absorb water. When you install frost-resistant tiles in your outdoor space, you maintain them less frequently and enjoy their usage for a long time.
Stain-resistance
The best exterior tiles have no crevices and are mostly non-porous. Such tiles do not easily stain because their texture prevents liquid and dirt from sticking on their surface thereby not interfering with their appearance.
Scratch-resistance
The best exterior tiles are blasted in a kiln with extremely high temperatures. The process hardens them and makes them resistant to scratches. Also, the process seals the color to make them resistant to possible UV damage.
The Best Exterior Tiles
Space is increasingly becoming a premium element in establishing indoor and outdoor features in your home. You can take your interior design elements or capabilities to your outdoor space to create a wonderful, relaxing place.
When you extend your interior style to your outdoor space, you will need tiles suitable for the exterior surroundings.Below are the best external tiles that you can use to create a safe outdoor area oozing with modernity and style.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are the best for your deck, patio, or outdoor space.They have a timeless visual appeal and come in different styles and colors.The tiles are made using fine clay and baked at extremely high temperatures to make them sturdy, dense, and durable.
Also, they are non-porous and resistant to stains and scratches, making them easy to maintain.Other than the physical attributes of porcelain tiles, their endless design possibilities make them suitable as the best external tiles.
Ceramic Tiles
You can use ceramic tiles for both your outdoor and indoor spaces.You can use them on your exterior spaces if they have a PEI rating that can sustain high foot traffic and harsh weather elements.
They are crafted from clay and other natural materials fired at high temperatures and glazed to give them a hard surface.You can use them for light-use patios on a sturdy floor.
They are available in different colors, patterns, and sizes, allowing you to get creative with the different features and designs.Their durability and functionality depend on the installation process and frequency of maintenance.The image below shows ceramic tiles on the pool area of a home.
Natural Stone Tiles
Natural stone tiles such as limestone and granite have been used for different outdoor spaces over the years.They are an excellent option for your exterior space because of their beauty, durability, and versatility.
They offer unique colors, patterns, and textures, creating a unique ambiance in your space.The availability of different shapes and colors makes it easy to find one that matches your preferences.
Also, they give your space a timeless aesthetic appeal and add character and charm to your outdoor space.Although the natural stone tiles require occasional sealing and maintenance, they have a natural element of beauty that can be infused on your pathways, pool decks, and patios.
Moreover, the tiles can withstand extreme weather conditions, heavy foot traffic, and other forms of wear and tear, making them ideal for use on your home’s exterior.
Wood-Effect or Wood Look Tiles
An outdoor surface that imitates wood has all the features that make the wood-effect tiles one of the best external tiles.The wood look tiles combine the beauty of the natural wood as shown below and the functionality of porcelain or ceramic tiles.
They look and feel like wood, giving you the warmth, you deserve in your outdoor spaces.Also, they create the perfect wood effect to transform your exterior space into the serene space you have always wanted.
However, unlike real wood, the wood-effect tiles are waterproof, frost-resistant, and resistant to wear and tear, making them suitable for outdoor use.
They come in different styles, shapes, and sizes, allowing you to achieve the desired look without experiencing challenges associated with maintaining real wood outdoors.
Click to learn: Everything You Need to Know about the Wood Like Tile
Concrete Tiles
Molding concrete tiles entails pouring concrete and giving colors and textures that resemble natural stone or ceramic tiles.They give you a contemporary outdoor flooring option that you can easily customize.
Also, you can polish them to achieve different textures and designs.Moreover, they are resistant to wear and tear and are most suitable for your high-traffic outdoor spaces exposed to harsh weather elements.
Their versatility in color and pattern makes it possible to use them to personalize your outdoor spaces.They are eco-friendly, and using them in your outdoor space contributes to achieving sustainable design practices.
When you use the concrete tiles on your patio, they can easily become stained unless you seal them.
Slate Tiles
These tiles have a rustic charm and are durable.Also, they feature unique textures and a range of colors you can choose from, including rust tones, green, deep charcoal, and black.
They are ideal for your outdoor space and can last a lifetime because of their ability to resist water and ease of maintenance.Specifically, you can use them on your pool area and pathways because they are slip-resistant and can ensure your safety in wet conditions.
You can comfortably walk on them barefoot, especially during warm weather, because they have natural thermal properties.
Travertine Tiles
Travertine tiles infuse ancient elements of architecture in their elegance and beauty.As a result, when you install them in your outdoor space, they add a touch of luxury to the space and give it a distinct and clear look.
You can achieve different finishes with these tiles in your outdoor space, for example tumbled, honed, and polished finishes.Once you give them your preferred finish, travertine tiles can last a lifetime.
They are heat resistant and comfortable to walk on as you enjoy the comfort of your patio.Travertine tiles have a sophisticated and timeless visual appeal that you can preserve through proper maintenance and sealing every once in a while.
Conclusion
The best exterior tiles ensure you get the most out of your alfresco spaces.The range of tiles is perfect for creating a garden bar, a pool deck, or improving your patio and bringing life to your outdoor pathways.
While making a choice, it is best to consider the durability, beauty, maintenance, and cost implications.
The different exterior tiles have different capabilities; for example, ceramic tiles are versatile, and you can customize them based on your taste. On the other hand, wood-effect tiles integrate beauty and practicality into your space.
The best exterior tile depends on your needs, taste, and budget.After careful consideration of the unique features of each type, you can choose your best to create an aesthetically appealing and functional outdoor space that adds beauty to your home.
Related reading: Which tiles are best for outdoors?