Last Updated on January 8, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
Choosing tiles might seem complicated if you're doing it for the first time, but it's actually pretty simple.
Tiles are some of the most popular flooring materials indoors and outdoors for many reasons. For one, they often add a unique aesthetic to the home.
Secondly, they're easy to keep clean, amongst other things.
But, when it comes down to choosing tiles for specific areas of your house, such as the outdoors, more attention to detail needs to be paid.
Here's a guide to choosing outdoor tiles to simplify your life.
Indoor and outdoor tiles are very similar in many ways; however, outdoor tiles are designed to handle harsh outdoor conditions like rain or constant exposure to the sun.
They're usually more rigid, less porous, and more durable.
As you can guess by the name, outdoor tiles can be used anywhere outdoors, but here are some more specific ideas:
Choosing tiles for outdoors is always easy.
You will need to decide on the tile's size, style, texture, and design, all while staying within the budget you've set for yourself.
Here's how to choose the best outdoor tile for your home:
One of the most important aspects of an outdoor tile is that it needs to be slip-resistant.
To ensure this, you'll want to look for textured tiles that offer people extra grip, whether they're walking with shoes or barefoot.
When you're out shopping for tiles, look for ones that have a high non-slip surface rating.
This rating rates the tile's surface grip and its durability, with one being the softest and most slippery tile and five being the most durable tile with the best grip.
Our philosophy has always been to opt for the better quality tiles over the cheapest ones.
While this isn't always possible for some, it does offer tiles that'll last you longer.
Try looking for tiles made with durable materials that'll manage daily use reasonably well.
Cheaper tiles tend to have a shorter lifespan and may crack or chip sooner than others, causing you to have to retile the area sooner than you'd have to.
Consider the kind of foot traffic the tiled outdoor area gets as well.
If it's a high-traffic zone in your home, you may want to consider investing in stronger tiles to manage the load.
Is the outdoor area you're tiling in an area that gets a lot of natural light, or does it sit under the shade constantly?
If the area is in the shade, you may want to install tiles that are lighter in colour in order to open the area up a little.
The opposite applies to an area with a lot of natural light. If you use lighter tiles, they may cause a reflection or glare for the sunlight.
So, slightly darker tiles may work better.
Remember to set an appropriate budget. Tiles can vary greatly, from being pretty cheap to extremely expensive.
We find that researching the design we'd like and then working backwards by pricing similar tiles works best for us.
This at least gives you some direction and an idea of costs, so you have time to save if need be.
Finally, get creative! You don't need to build a hotel-quality patio.
Do what fits into your budget and what complements your home's aesthetic.
If you're into art, consider leaving out an area where you can mosaic, adding your own personal touch to your outdoor area.
We often encourage homeowners to explore the different tilling options they have available to them before making their purchase.
For outdoor use, here are some of the best tile types to choose from:
You need to remember three things about outdoor materials: they need to be durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.
Make sure you choose outdoor tiles that will withstand the harsh Australian weather, provide traction when wet, and amplify your outdoor area's aesthetic appeal.
