Outdoor tile flooring surfaces play an important part in housing. Many people like me find it necessary to have beautiful floors. One of the ways to achieve an artistic effect is by using tiles. They are not only used to complete the desired look we want, but also function as elements for human adaptation to the environment. Though they are commonly used indoors such as in the bathroom or kitchen, they can also be used outdoors. However, is there a difference between indoor and outdoor tiles for floors?

Outdoor Tile Flooring Vs. Indoor Tile Flooring

Although both indoor and outdoor tiles can sometimes be made of the same materials such as ceramic, porcelain and marble, indoor tiles have a more polished look.  While they are durable and require low maintenance, they are not capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions such as harsh sunlight or freezing temperatures.  Outdoor tiles such as those made of stone and mosaic, on the other hand, are tougher and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Ceramic tiles, however, may also be used outdoors if they meet the standards of hardness and porosity required for outdoor tiles.

Outdoor Tile Flooring Types

Due to the wide variety of outdoor floor tiles available in the market, we usually find it difficult to choose the best flooring suitable for our outdoor requirements.  Thus, it is important to know the types of tile flooring available for the outdoors.  These include unglazed porcelain or mosaic tiles, which are dense and therefore have a low water absorbency rate; quarry tiles which are made of intensely fired or burnt clay and are exceptionally durable; and terra cotta which is ideal for warmer climates.

Some Considerations For Outdoor Tiles

Choosing the best tile flooring for outdoors depends on several factors such as budget, purpose, style and durability.  Sometimes, people put a heavier weight on one factor more than on others so it would be best to rank or combine factors according to their importance and then make a decision based on it.  For instance, if budget is the most important consideration, then one must choose the cheapest variety.  However, we must keep in mind that not all inexpensive things give the impression of cheapness.  A person with style will always find a way to beat limitations to achieve his desired look.  Another consideration is that using cheap flooring materials of inferior quality may be more expensive in the long run.  Thus, it is best to consider all factors in deciding on the best tile flooring for outdoors.

Setting Outdoor Tiles

Success does not end in choosing the best tile flooring for outdoors.  It extends to being able to set them properly.  In doing this, we have to consider several stages specifically: planning the design, organizing the materials, preparing the ground or surface for the tiles to be laid on, setting the tiles and cleaning up.

In planning the design, we must determine style we want to achieve and the type of tiles we want to use.  Organizing the materials entails due diligence in checking out the appropriate tools in magazines or hardware stores in every step of the tile setting process.  Of course, the ground itself or surface upon which the tiles shall be set must be evened out to set a good foundation for the actual setting and finally, when everything is over, we have to deal with cleaning up our work area in order to enjoy the sight of our wonderful outdoor creation.

In view of all these considerations, laying the basic groundwork for attractive outdoor tile flooring is not something to merely walk on.