There are numerous ideas for outdoor patio tile including natural and man-made materials, cut to uniform shapes and thicknesses, and set to a solid, level foundation. The vast majority of outdoor patios are constructed with some form of masonries, such as poured concrete (sometimes stained or stamped), or brick or stone paving products. But it is also possible to apply the tile to the patio, an option that gives you more design options. When a concrete slab or brick patio gets old, laying tiles can be a great way to decorate it. Retailers who carry tiles for exposed outdoor applications often carry a pretty dizzying array of products, including some you might not have considered for outdoor use. Your decision on the right product will largely depend on your climate and application. For example, unsealed quarry tiles that are perfect for the extremely dry climate of Arizona are simply not suitable for the humid climate of Maine, where winter temperatures are cold.
Estimating the cost of a tiled patio can be difficult given the wide variety of materials available and the difference in labor costs from region to region. However, the natural average shows the following:
- Clay bricks (porcelain, ceramic, quarry): Material prices range from $2 to $30 per square foot; labor ranges from $4 to $14 per square foot.
- Natural Stone Tile: Material prices range from $5 to $35 per square foot; labor from $8 to $20 per square foot. The cheapest options are sandstone, limestone, and travertine; the most expensive options are talc, granite, and slate.
- Synthetic and wood tiles: Plastic, rubber, or carpet tiles average about $3 per square foot; most people install these materials themselves. Wood floor tiles cost an average of $8-12 per square foot, and laminate floor tiles cost around $4-8 per square foot.
When shopping for outdoor patio tiles, speak with a sales representative from a tile retailer. When explaining your needs, emphasize that you will be using the product outdoors. Products suitable for outdoor use can vary greatly from region to region. In general, cooler, wetter climates will have a more limited choice of materials, especially with freeze-thaw cycles. Your best bet is to buy from a store that specializes in outdoor patio tiles, perhaps offering installation services. These retailers will be very interested in making sure your installation will hold up over time and should steer you away from products that are not suitable for your application. An initial consultation with the landscaping contractor building the outdoor patio can also be helpful. A discussion with the contractor will clarify which type of tile is best for your situation.
Whether or not you choose to purchase the services of a contractor, you will have a good idea of your options. While many of the same considerations used for indoor tiles will also influence your choice of outdoor patio tiles, there are a few things to keep in mind first: Resistance: Unlike tiles used for interior walls and floors, outdoor tiles must be particularly strong and able to withstand a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. Their power depends on your expected level of use. A patio for a quiet retired couple has a different material than a family with active kids throwing play equipment. Budget: A patio can be quite a large space, and covering it with luxury tiles is much more expensive than fitting out smaller interior spaces, such as bathrooms. Therefore, the cost is a very important factor when choosing patio tiles. Prices can vary widely, ranging from as low as $1 per square foot for materials like carpet tiles or base tile to $50 per square foot for installing a high-end slate patio or in soapstone. Style: Outdoor patios should fit in with the overall look of the landscape as well as the architectural features and materials of the home. Choose materials whose color and texture harmonize with the general appearance of your property. Texture and slip resistance: The texture and "softneof ss" oaretiles are much more important in exterior applications than interior tiles. Moisture is often present on outdoor patios and the texture of the tiles should provide some "teeth" to prevent users from slipping. A non-slip surface is essential for outdoor tiles, which is why some material choices have been eliminated. The surface texture of your patio can also affect your patio furniture choices.
Weather Conditions: If you live in an area prone to freeze-thaw cycles, you will need an outdoor patio slab that can withstand extreme temperature changes. Porcelain, for example, has very low water absorption, while stoneware is quite porous. If water is absorbed by a tile and the water then freezes, the process can crack the tiles or destroy the joints between the tiles. Lighting: Although not often recognized, the amount of sunlight a patio receives can impact the choice of the best tiles. Bright, sunny spaces require darker tiles, while dark, shaded areas should use lighter materials to illuminate the space. DIY Friendly: While any of these tiles can be installed by a DIYer with moderate skill and some energetic ambition, some are better suited than others. For example, natural stone is very heavy and difficult to cut, while other options such as patio tiles, rubber, or interlocking plastic are easy to install. In general, any do-it-yourselfer familiar with installing interior tile can install a tiled patio, although the methods and materials may vary slightly. Below, we'll detail the ins and outs of each tile and what to consider when choosing the best one for you and your patio.
- sandstone tiles
Best for: Dry, frost-free climates Sandstone, another sedimentary rock, even softer than limestone, suffers from the same limitations. It is formed from layers of sand that have compressed over time and have a nice texture. Stoneware is very soft and scratches easily, and requires regular sealing to prevent staining and water seepage.
It is another ideal stone for patios in dry climates that do not have winter freeze-thaw cycles. But it is generally much cheaper than limestone and other natural stone tiles. Sandstone is another natural stone product available in irregular slabs for exterior paving in sandstone installations.
- Travertine Tiles
Best for: High-end decks in dry climates. Travertine is a natural sedimentary stone with a beautiful texture and color. Considered a form of limestone, this stone is quarried around natural mineral spring deposits. Although very attractive and hard, it has a slightly pitted surface that can collect dirt unless polished and smooth. Profoundly polished travertine can be exceptionally slippery when wet. The quality of travertine varies greatly depending on where it is mined. For terrace use, Turkish or Italian travertine is considered more impervious than Mexican or Chinese stone.
- soapstone tiles
Ideal for: Any climate; water and stain resistance are essential. Named for its silky smooth texture, soapstone is a non-porous natural stone that is extremely resistant to water and stains. It has a high heat resistance, which makes it suitable for very hot climates.
It is an excellent stone to use around swimming pools and it also works well in wet and cold climates. Soapstone is generally considered a black or dark gray stone, but it also comes in shades of green and blue-gray. Soapstone bricks are harder to find than other forms of natural stone; it may be necessary to order them from specialist retailers or online sources. These tile chains are usually not stored.
- Quarry tile
Ideal for: high-end patios in warm climates. Despite its name, quarry brick is not quarried from a natural quarry, but a hybrid artificial stone made of very dense unglazed clay mixed with powdered natural minerals and fired to make it hard the product – is shaped very similarly to the manufacture of traditional bricks. They are very strong tiles that work well as patio pavers. In fact, this form of tile is specifically designed for outdoor use on decks and patios. Unlike ceramics and tiles, terracotta tiles are available in a limited range of colors including red, brown, or grey. Quarry tiles provide a Mediterranean look dear to many homeowners. Although usually unglazed, terracotta tiles have good water resistance, and their texture prevents them from slipping when wet. Quarry tile is not a great choice for climates where freezing temperatures dominate in the winter. It is also somewhat known to be prone to staining unless regularly sealed. However, in the right climate, it is one of the best patio options. It works well as a veranda floor surface in any climate.
- ceramic tile
Best for: Bright patios in warm climates. Traditional ceramic floor tiles are acceptable choices for outdoor patios, as long as they have a PEI rating that indicates adequate strength. They are made of clay fired at a high temperature and glazed to create a hard surface layer. In general, however, tile is best suited for lightweight patios, as it won't be as strong as other options. If you choose a tile, make sure it is a floor tile strong enough to be used on a patio; tiles sold as wall tiles will never suffice for a floor or a terrace. As with ceramic tile, the cost of ceramic tile materials varies widely, although they tend to be a bit cheaper than porcelain and considerably cheaper than natural stone. Be sure to choose tiles with a textured, matte finish; shiny, smooth tiles can be very slippery when wet. When used indoors, artificial tiles (ceramic, porcelain, stoneware) are usually installed with a thin adhesive. If water gets under the tiles in cold winter climates, they can easily loosen or crack. If you want to use artificial tiles in exterior applications, expert advice is to apply a barrier film to the base concrete slab and use a tile grout suitable for exterior use. Exterior grout often contains a high percentage of latex to improve flexibility.
- Porcelain tile
Best for: Stylish patios in warm climates. Tiles are a particularly dense and strong form of ceramic, made from finer clay fired at a higher temperature than standard tiles, so most tiles used for flooring can also be used in many applications patio. Your best bet is a textured matte tile that doesn't have a high gloss finish that can be slippery when wet. Most tiles are thick and strong enough to be used on the floor, but make sure your product is suitable for this type of use. Tile prices vary widely, but are generally more expensive than standard tile but more affordable than natural stone. Tiles can be made to mimic the look of marble, granite, and other materials (even wood or metal), so they offer great design flexibility. Clay-based tiles (ceramic, porcelain, and stoneware) are more commonly used indoors and may not be suitable for outdoor use. Be sure to check the specs to make sure your tile is approved for outdoor installations. This is likely to be a problem in climates with frequent rainfall or freezing winter temperatures. Consult your local tile retailer for advice. A tile that works well in a dry, mild climate with minimal temperature fluctuations like San Diego may be totally unsuitable for a Chicago patio.