Porcelain tile outdoor use
Can I Use Porcelain Tile Outdoors? | Fizzano Brothers Concrete
Written by Fizzano Brothers
on November 22nd, 2018
The idea of porcelain often conjures images of delicate, ornate teacups and china that people only bring out on special occasions. Porcelain may seem like the last material you would use for an outdoor patio or walkway. However, porcelain in tile form has many qualities that make it ideal for use outside. Porcelain tiles perform well under all weather conditions, are easy to care for, durable, slip resistant, and beautiful to boot.
Porcelain tiles are manufactured from kiln-fired clay along with a few other materials. Because of this, they can be precision cut to exact dimensions, which makes them easy to install. Find out about the many advantages of using porcelain tile outdoors for your patio, roof, terrace, walkways, and more.
Porcelain Tile Is Hard Wearing
It is hard to beat porcelain tiles in terms of durability. They are very hard, and yet they are scratch resistant. Because they are fired at very high temperatures, they are nearly impenetrable. This keeps fine dirt particles from being lodged in their surface, making them resistant to mold and moss growth.
Your porcelain tiles will look new for many years after installation due to their inherent strength and water resistance. Porcelain pavers will stand up to patio furniture, pets, and children without showing wear.
Porcelain Tile Is Weather Resistant
The near-impenetrability of porcelain tiles creates a surface that can truly hold up to any weather conditions. They are ideal for use in areas where temperatures drop below freezing in the winter. Since they do not absorb water, they will not crack due to the cold. Porcelain tiles are also highly recommended for climates that receive strong direct sunlight since they will not fade. The high temperatures they are subject to during firing vitrifies the color, which means it becomes part of the material and thus cannot be separated from it.
These qualities make them a superior material for use in a wide variety of climates and conditions. Many of our customers choose porcelain tile outdoors over stone or concrete because porcelain will look virtually the same after ten years of outdoor use as they do in our showroom.
Porcelain Tile Is Easy to Maintain
Porcelain tiles are the ultimate low-maintenance material when used outdoors. Unlike concrete pavers, porcelain tiles will not effloresce, which means it will not produce a whitish buildup that is very difficult to remove. And unlike many stone pavers, they will not be damaged by the use of household cleaners.
Since they do not stain easily, an occasional light pressure wash or cleaning with a light household cleaner is all that’s needed to keep porcelain tile outdoors looking their best. Even warm, soapy water is effective for cleaning porcelain tile, which adds to its environmentally friendly resume.
Porcelain Tile Is Slip Resistant
Porcelain tiles are manufactured with a variety of surface qualities ranging from smooth to matte.
A matte finish will provide enough slip resistance to be used around a swimming pool. When choosing your tile, take slip resistance into account. Because porcelain tiles are actually rated according to how slippery they are, you can easily choose an appropriate finish for your project.
Porcelain Tile Is Easy to Install
Because porcelain tiles are manufactured rather than mined, they are molded into precise dimensions that make them fit together perfectly. And because they are perfectly level (unlike quarried stone), they can be easily laid over a variety of bases including gravel, sand, concrete, and grass. Also in contrast to stone, they are lightweight and therefore easy and inexpensive to transport and lay.
Porcelain Tile Is Beautiful
The elegance of porcelain tile outdoors is truly hard to match. A classic look can be created using a range of whites or black/grey coloring with effects including travertine and quartz. The modular sizing allows for a number of patterns, creating an attractive yet subtle effect in any space.
Manufactured porcelain tile has the benefit of being natural yet looking completely modern with a look that is sleek, minimal, and clean. A unique benefit of using porcelain is that it can be continued from indoors to out, creating flow between your kitchen and patio.
Shop Fizzano for the Best Selection of Porcelain Tile
At Fizzano Brothers, we are experts in all facets of tile selection and installation. We particularly recommend porcelain tile outdoors due to its wide variety of applications, its durability, and its beauty. It is a cost-effective solution and holds its value for many years because of its strength and impermeability. Porcelain has many benefits over traditional flagstone, granite, and travertine products.
Fizzano Brothers carries the full line of Viewpaver outdoor porcelain pavers, a high quality product with a myriad of outdoor uses. They are also an environmentally friendly solution, containing as much as 42 percent recycled material and produced using green manufacturing processes.
In business since 1935, Fizzano Brothers is a family business that manufactures, builds, and repairs any imaginable masonry product and project. We welcome you to visit our store in Crum Lynne and compare our selection and service to the big box retailers. Because our only business is masonry products and installation, our design service and attention to customer satisfaction simply cannot be matched in a corporate atmosphere. Call us at 610-833-1100 or stop by to discuss your masonry project with us today!
What to Know About Outdoor Porcelain Tile
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
Give up the hassle of stone and concrete slabs. Find out why outdoor porcelain tile is the most durable and versatile material for outdoor flooring.
Historians estimate that the ancient Chinese perfected porcelain more than 1,000 years ago.
The material is usually associated with delicate kitchenware or figurines, but the medieval Chinese saw the material’s greater potential centuries ago. The 260-foot porcelain tower of Nanjing was constructed with porcelain bricks in 1431 and stood for more than four centuries.
In recent years porcelain tiles have grown in availability and popularity, especially for outdoor applications.
On This Page
What is Porcelain Tile?
Porcelain tile is in the ceramic family, but it is manufactured to higher standards than regular ceramic products. Highly refined and purified clay is fired for longer and at higher temperatures than other ceramics. The result is a customizable, extremely durable material that can be used on floors or walls indoors and outdoors.
What Are the Different Types of Porcelain Tile?
Unglazed Porcelain Tiles
These have no outer finish, so every tile has a unique pattern. Though lacking a protective coat, unglazed porcelain tiles are naturally weather and wear resistant.
Unglazed tiles can be made with any texture, and also be polished for a glossy appearance. Unglazed tiles fall into two categories:
-
Full bodied or through body tiles, which have no added color. The vein and grain patterns run through the entire thickness of each tile.
-
Double-loaded tiles, which are made of two layers of clay pressed together, making them especially durable for high-traffic areas. Two layers of different colors can be combined to create unique patterns.
Glazed Porcelain Tiles
These are sealed with a protective coat. They can be solid colored or patterned, and buyers can often choose between a matte, semi-polished or gloss finish. Glazed tiles fall into two categories:
Porcelain tiles are also divided into five grades by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI). Grade one is the least durable, while grade five is the most durable.
Is Porcelain Tile Good for Outdoor Use?
Porcelain tiles are an excellent material for outdoor applications for several reasons:
-
All porcelain tiles have a water absorption rate of less than 0.
5 percent, making them stain and weather resistant. Because they absorb almost no water, porcelain tiles won’t crack in freezing temperatures like other materials. -
Porcelain tiles are extremely resistant to UV fading, even when placed in direct sunlight.
-
The manufacturing process of porcelain tiles makes them stronger and more durable than ceramics in high-traffic areas.
The Pros and Cons of Porcelain Tiles
Pros
-
Superior durability to other ceramics in high-traffic areas;
-
Ideal for outdoor applications;
-
Versatility — they can be used indoors and outdoors, and be manufactured with various textures, colors and patterns;
-
Thinner and lighter than other outdoor materials such as stone and concrete;
-
Low maintenance;
-
Moisture, stain and fire resistant.
Cons
-
More expensive than other ceramic products;
-
Heavier than other ceramic products;
-
Difficult to cut without specialized equipment.
Cost and Buying Tips
Porcelain tiles generally cost between $3 and $10 per square foot, although specialized or patterned tiles can cost as much as $35 per square foot. Glazed and unglazed porcelain tiles are durable and wear-resistant in outdoor settings.
Aesthetics aside, the PEI grade of porcelain tiling is the most important consideration when making a purchase. PEI grade 3 or higher should be used for any flooring application with moderate traffic. Well-known porcelain tile suppliers include Marazzi, Interceramic and Daltile.
Installation
Porcelain tile installation is similar to any other outdoor tiling project. It’s time consuming and requires technical know-how.
Porcelain tiles are incredibly hard, and although this makes them durable, it also means you need specialized equipment to cut the tiles. Avoid installing porcelain tiles yourself unless you’re an experienced DIYer who’s willing to invest in some tools for the job.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Porcelain tiles can be cleaned easily with water and a mild detergent. For tougher dirt or deeper cleaning, try a vinegar-water mixture or a dedicated tile cleaner along with a soft-bristle brush. Avoid using brushes, whenever possible, on polished or glazed tiles. Never use bleach or ammonia-based cleaners, oil-based detergents, cleaners with dye, steel wool and hard-bristle brushes.
Selection of frost-resistant and anti-slip ceramic tiles
- How to choose Frost-resistant tiles Anti-slip tiles Outdoor tiles
1. Selection of frost-resistant and anti-slip ceramic tiles: material specifications for outdoor use with photo
The choice of finishing material for outdoor work must be approached with all responsibility.
This rule is especially true for ceramic tiles. In the desire to make a beautiful terrace or gatherings, as in the photo, first of all, everyone selects the shade of color that he needs. But in our latitudes, not every type of tile is suitable for outdoor use. It is important to give preference to frost-resistant tiles, which will also have an important technical characteristic - anti-slip. How to make the right choice, what performance characteristics should be preferred? nine0017
2. Classification of outdoor ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles for outdoor use have been occupying a high position in the construction market for many years in a row. It is made from a mixture of quartz sand, clay and other natural ingredients by pressing and firing at high temperature. Modern industry offers us tiles of different color shades, which allows us to make a good choice, thereby emphasizing the overall look of the house and landscape design. But the color solution is not the main aspect in deciding the issue of choice.
Particular attention should be paid to the technical characteristics of the material. nine0017 For outdoor use, there are two types of tiles:
-
1. floor
-
2. Facing
Floor tiles are usually used to decorate terraces, porches, steps, balconies or gazebos.
Facing tiles allow you to interestingly decorate the facade of the house. For example, it is ideal for framing windows or for forming a mosaic panel on the wall. nine0016
In addition, ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware for outdoor use do not crumble, do not crack and perfectly withstand temperature changes. It has high resistance to mechanical damage and the effects of acids and alkalis.
Attention!
Numerous tests have shown that porcelain stoneware can only be scratched with diamond or corundum.
Popular outdoor tiles:
Marazzi Italy Italy
Terramix Bianco porcelain stoneware 7x28
Article MMKV
Format cm 28x7
3 920 ₽
Watch
Marazzi Italy Italy
Porcelain tile Terramix Beige 7x28
Article MMKY
Format cm 28x7
3 920 ₽
Watch
Marazzi Italy Italy
Porcelain tile Terramix Marrone 7x28
Article MMKX
Format cm 28x7
3 920 ₽
Watch
Marazzi Italy Italy
Tile Rt-Altai Nat Black 32x89
Article DBFX
Format cm 89x32
3 570 ₽
Watch
Marazzi Italy Italy
Border Alzata Lithos Carrara 15x25
Article DAGB
Format cm 25x15
910 ₽
Watch
Marazzi Italy Italy
Border Listello Versalles Marfil 5х76
Article DAFP
Format cm 76x5
910 ₽
View
All collections of wall tiles
Floor porcelain tile Temple produced by Kerama Marazzi.
3. Anti-slip properties of ceramic tiles - a bit of history
The advantages of ceramic tiles in terms of operation have been highly appreciated by consumers since its introduction to the market. It is easy to install, easy to clean, looks beautiful and luxurious, gives the room an aesthetically beautiful look. Moisture resistance made it possible to use it as a facing material in rooms with high humidity, for facing steps, terraces and paths, as well as swimming pools. At the same time, the smooth and slippery surface of the tile, especially when it is wet, is a big minus. This negative characteristic became the reason for the search for new solutions, which made it possible to appear on the market with an anti-slip surface on tiles. nine0017
It was created in 2 main steps:
Matte anti-slip floor tiles Alley factory Kerama Marazzi.
4. Anti-slip ceramic tiles - selection rules
Approaching the issue of choosing ceramic tiles for outdoor use, it is first necessary to study its technical characteristics.
nine0151 1. The volume of the anti-slip profile on the tile.
The marking of such a tile is “Vx”. In place of "x" there will be a number indicating the ratio of the volume of the anti-slip profile to the surface area of one tile. The measurement is carried out in cm3/dm2. For example, marking V5 indicates a ratio that is equal to 5 cm3 / dm2.
2. Slip resistant
This qualification indicates the level of slip resistance depending on the angle of the surface. In modern industry, 5 such classes are distinguished, which are labeled as Rx. In this case, x is the class number associated with the angle of inclination. First surface group R9- the lowest level of inclination (3-10 degrees). The highest level of inclination of the surface (more than 35 degrees) is marked R13.
3. For high humidity environments where bare feet are used.
Here the marking is simple - class A, B, C. Class A is recommended for coatings whose slope angle does not exceed 18 degrees, class B is 24 degrees, and class C is sick 24 degrees.
Attention!
Class C is ideal for swimming pool steps.
Grasaro's Pave Style outdoor porcelain stoneware is a good solution for both façade cladding and walkways.
5. Processing methods for anti-slip frost-resistant ceramic tiles
The anti-slip characteristics of frost-resistant ceramic tiles largely depend on the method of processing their surface. nine0017
-
matte;
-
polished;
-
polished;
-
satin;
-
glazed.
Ceramic frost-resistant tiles for outdoor use made in Spain have the highest strength. It is rightfully classified as an elite class. The tile has excellent technical characteristics, is distinguished by a variety of textures, shapes, colors, which allows it to be successfully used in the design. nine0017
Important!
Porcelain tiles are characterized by an even geometric line of the edge, which allows you to get perfectly even and narrow joints during installation.
Given all the indicators and a long service life, the cost of such a facing material will turn out to be cheaper than other, cheaper facing tiles.
When choosing tiles for finishing terraces, steps or a pool, it is important to take into account all the above characteristics, which will allow not only to design the design with high quality, but also to completely protect your loved ones from accidental falling on a wet surface. In addition, the right choice guarantees long-term operation of ceramic tiles. It does not fade under the sun, perfectly tolerates temperature changes and retains its original appearance and its main characteristics for a long time. nine0017
Outdoor porcelain tile Italon (Italon)|Official site
Outdoor porcelain tile Italon (Italon)|Official site0 results Reset filters
Sort by: Newest A-Z
Metropolis
from 3255 rub/m² nine0053 Charm Advance from 3475 rub/m²Vandeful Life
from 2880 rub/m²Charm Deluxe
from 3460 rub/m²Skyfall
from 3425 rub/m²Groove
from 3275 rub/m²Terraviva
from 2580 rub/m² nine0053 Room from 2870 rub/m²Millennium
from 2920 rub/m²Loft
from 4065 rub/m²Charm Extra
from 3035 rub/m²Genesis
from 2775 rub/m²Matter
from 2840 rub/m²Item
from 2920 rub/m²Charme Evo
from 3025 rub/m²Contempora
from 2835 rub/m²Surface
from 3170 rub/m²Wander
from 2745 rub/m²Climb
from 2760 rub/m²Manetic
from 2735 rub/m²Meson
from 3205 rub/m²3D Experience
from 4565 rub/m²Skyline
from 1585 rub/m²Everstone
from 1680 rub/m²Eclipse
from 1625 rub/m²Auris
from 1625 rub/m²Nova
from 1625 rub/m²Nl-Wood X2
from 4890 rub/m²District
from 4890 rub/m²0 results Reset filters
Sort by: Newest A-Z
Choose the perfect Italon tile for your project
Are you interested in the special characteristics of porcelain stoneware and wall tiles? Find exactly the material you are looking for by selecting the options above.
-
