There are many different types of tile available and the options can be a bit bewildering, so this tiling advice should help anyone looking to buy some outdoor tiles. Not all tiles have the same properties and therefore the correct type of tile needs to be chosen to suit the situation. Outdoor tiles need to be able to withstand the weather so will be different for those you might use in a kitchen or bathroom. For colder climates, they also need to be able to resist frost, and this is achieved by choosing a product that doesn’t absorb too much water (because the water freezes and expands, causing damage). The type of weather resistant tile you will want is either vitreous or impervious. A vitreous tile should absorb less than three percent of its weight in water. An impervious tile should absorb less than half a percent. Good products of these types are porcelain or natural stone (such as slate). Another attribute the tile will need (if they are being used for floor tiles) is that it should be non-slip. A smooth floor can be slippery, especially when wet, and therefore presents a danger. A non-slip floor will have a less polished finish and rougher texture (such as dimples). The problem can also be overcome by using small tiles such as mosaics where the grouting and joins between them give grip. The amount of foot traffic and wear the floor will receive must also be considered. A tough glaze will be needed for extra durability on non-porcelain ceramic tiles. Porcelain tiles are hard wearing and good for high traffic areas. Consider using a dark grout outside as muddy shoes will easily discolour white grout. The grout colour may affect your choice of tile colour to ensure something visually pleasing. Also, ensure your tile colours blend well with the surrounding area such as brickwork and planting. The cheapest tiles tend to be the standard sized ceramic floor tiles (30cm x 30cm). Increasing in price are the porcelain tiles and larger formats. Mosaics are also fairly expensive but you can make your own but using a tile cutter to break up larger tiles. Luxury natural stone is usually at the top end of the price scale and can also cost more to install due to the extra work involved in fixing and sealing. Note that larger tiles will be more difficult to lay on uneven surfaces (which are commonly found in outdoor situations). Smaller tiles will be much simpler to use.

Look for a tile supplier near you by using a geographical phrase in a search engine such as ‘tiles Bournemouth’ or ‘tiles Dorset’. You can also use Google Maps to see what companies are within travelling distance. A supplier near you will be easy to visit to see what the product actually looks like and this will help you determine whether the tiles are right for you. Don’t forget to take your outdoor tile sample outside to see what the colour looks like in natural light. The interior lighting will give the tiles a colour cast. Outdoor tiles can create a really interesting and colourful outdoor space but they need to be the right sort of tiles if you want them to keep looking nice for years to come.

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