Porcelain tiles are a gorgeous option as they come in brighter colours and patterns, so you can achieve many different looks and design goals. It also comes in a range of colours from neutral beiges, to whites, and blues, as well as different finishes. This is especially important to consider when choosing garden flooring for rainy and cold climates, such as the UK. Porcelain is very low maintenance as it can withstand heavy use and has low porosity, which means that it won’t be damaged by water or frost. Porcelain tiles are one of the best choices for patio and garden flooring as the material meets many of the desired requirements for outdoor tiling and comes in a range of beautiful design options. ▶ Get the look: Newport Natural 59.6X59.6 ( Available online & in-store) And best of all require practically zero maintenance.

Tiles offer the best of both worlds, they look the part with a range of finishes that recreate the look and texture of concrete, stone, and timber. Technology nowadays however has made life easier as it has in every other area of life. These are the very materials that have been used over centuries in our gardens. ▶ Get the look Smart Tanzania Nut 22X90 Material Choices for Outdoor Floor Tilesįor outdoor areas, there is an undeniable logic and beauty in featuring organic materials like stone paviours, slate, and wood. This helps achieve the authentic rustic or geometric look favoured by garden landscapers. Variation of slab dimensions: for freedom of design it’s recommended to choose a material that can vary in dimension for floor and wall tiles.Tip: make sure the joints between the tiles or slabs are min. To do so levelling the substrate is critical to avoid trip hazards on paths and terraces. Bedding down garden flooring: depending on the type of ground conditions one of the requisites of a long-lasting flooring option is bedding down on the sand, compacted earth or gravel.Hard-wearing materials and durability are crucial for garden flooring, that’s why typically paving for the outdoors has a minimum thickness of 20 mm. Resistance to heavy loads: materials for the outdoors need to be more heavy-duty to withstand the weight of garden equipment and heavy footwear.

Special non-slip treatment is required, or a textured finish that provides a grip underfoot. Non-slip flooring: from a health and safety point of view this is the most important characteristic.Resistance to freezing: with winter temperatures regularly dipping below zero, rainwater ingress should be avoided at all costs because when water freezes it can crack paving slabs.This is especially important in the British climate where there is heavy rainfall all year round. Zero water absorption: the material should be resistant to moisture.Tiles are manufactured from organic matter but improved upon for superior performance.

One of the best options is tiling, both for flooring and wall finishes. However, some materials are more wether-resistant than others, and when it comes to external wall and floor finishes for the garden, patios, and any other outdoor areas it makes sense to choose materials able to withstand more wear and tear. That’s the reason why the roofs and walls of our homes need constant maintenance, why timber decking requires regular varnishing, and driveways and paved areas need to be resurfaced every decade or so. The outdoors is a harsh environment that will gradually destroy anything left there over time. There is a constant battle being waged by the elements on our buildings and, in fact, anything else that is man-made and left outside. ▶ Get the look: Vancouver Sand 25X150 ( Available in-store)Ĭhoosing the best tile material for your outdoor space Read on to find out which tiles work best for external spaces and what you should consider before installing them. In this guide, we’ll cover all the main options and explore the advantages of outdoor wall and floor tiles on both a technical and aesthetic level.

Large outdoor tiles for patio