Best Outdoor Tile

December 2023
Anton White

Are you searching for the best outdoor tile options? Look no further! We're here to guide you through a range of choices so you can find the perfect fit for your outdoor haven.

Whether you're revamping your patio, decking out a seating area, or sprucing up an outdoor kitchen, we've got the right tile for your needs.

In this article, we'll explore various tile materials, focusing on porcelain paving, and delve into specific products ideal for different outdoor settings. We'll also discuss what makes a great outdoor tile. Plus, we'll share some creative outdoor tiling design ideas to inspire your next project.

Let's get started, shall we?

What this article covers:

Best Tile for Outdoor Patio

If you're seeking the ideal tile for your outdoor patio, our top recommendation is the Flote™ Off-White Concrete Effect porcelain paving tiles. This product stands out as a luxurious choice, perfectly blending with modern garden spaces.

The Off-White tile is celebrated for its bright, clean finish, offering a touch of elegance to any patio. Available in three sizes, these large format tiles are versatile enough to fit seamlessly into various designs.

What sets this porcelain paving apart is its exceptional durability and low maintenance requirements. It boasts a non-porous surface, making it completely resistant to water absorption and staining. This means it can be easily cleaned with a pressure washer, without the need for any sealing or treating.

If you're considering adorning a section of your entertainment area with decking, we at Ovaeda offer some of the best composite decking in a variety of colours. Plus our best price composite decking will minimise the cost without reducing the quality of your deck.

best tile for outdoor patio

Best Tiles for Seating Area

The best? We highly recommend our Slate™ Black Stone Effect porcelain paving piles. These tiles are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional for areas where comfort and durability are key.

These tiles are an excellent choice for seating areas due to their robust characteristics, namely their ability to withstand foot traffic, which is always advantageous when you have visitors over. They come with a 10-year warranty for both residential and commercial settings, ensuring peace of mind.

With these tiles, you can create a welcoming and stylish seating area that requires minimal upkeep, allowing you more time to enjoy your outdoor space.

Best Tiles for Outdoor Kitchen

For an outdoor kitchen, our top pick is Overland™ Beige Stone Effect Porcelain Paving Tiles. These tiles are not only stylish but also highly functional, making them ideal for the demands of an outdoor cooking space.

These tiles stand out for their resilience and ease of maintenance, crucial for outdoor kitchen areas. They are completely resistant to water absorption, which greatly minimises the risk of staining – a common concern in kitchen environments.

Based on our observations, this resistance to staining means they can be easily cleaned with a pressure washer, and unlike natural stone, they require no sealing or treating. In sum, they are an excellent choice for those who want a beautiful, easy-to-care-for solution for their outdoor kitchen flooring.

Best Outdoor Non-Slip Tile

For those in search of the best outdoor non-slip tile, Ovaeda's Bearsden™ Light Grey Stone Effect porcelain paving tiles are the premier choice.

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These tiles not only provide a secure, low-slip surface with an R11 rating but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor areas.

Crafted from high-quality porcelain, these paving tiles are completely resistant to water absorption. Unlike natural stone paving options, these tiles don't need any sealing or treating, allowing you more leisure time to enjoy your outdoor space.

What Tiles Are Unsuitable for Outdoor Use?

When it comes to selecting tiles for outdoor use, not all types are suitable. Certain tiles that are commonly used indoors may not withstand the challenges of outdoor environments.

One major category of tiles unsuitable for outdoor use includes most interior bathroom tiles. These tiles are often not designed to endure the intense, direct sunlight typical in outdoor settings, which can lead to fading and damage over time.

Additionally, polished tiles, which are popular for indoor use due to their sleek finish, are generally a poor choice for outdoor areas. Their lack of slip resistance makes them hazardous in outdoor conditions, like wet or icy weather.

Moreover, tiles made of materials that are highly porous or lack frost resistance are not recommended for outdoor use, as they can absorb moisture and suffer damage in colder climates.

What Makes a Superb Outdoor Tile?

A superb outdoor tile is the perfect blend of key characteristics. It's all about choosing a tile that can endure harsh weather, resist slipping when wet, maintain its colour under the sun, and repel stains for easy upkeep.

These key features ensure your outdoor space is not only visually stunning but also practical and long-lasting. Let's investigate more deeply.

Durability

Durability is a critical factor in selecting outdoor tiles, as they need to withstand various environmental conditions without losing their integrity or appearance.

best garden patio tiles

Durability means that they can resist the wear and tear caused by weather elements like rain, snow, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations. It also refers to a low water absorption rate, which prevents cracking and damage during freeze-thaw cycles.

Porcelain tiles, for instance, are known for their high durability and resistance to outdoor elements. They are non-porous, meaning they don't need to be sealed before use and can withstand multiple weather conditions.

Our research indicates that their hardness, exceeding that of granite, ensures they remain intact and unscathed even under heavy use or when moving heavy furniture.

Slip Resistant

The importance of slip resistance cannot be overstressed. These types of tiles reduce the risk of accidents in outdoor areas, especially when they are wet.

Tiles with a high slip-resistance rating, like R11, are recommended for outdoor use as they offer better grip and traction. This is particularly important in areas like patios, poolsides, and walkways where the likelihood of slipping is higher.

The texture of the tile plays a key role in its slip-resistant properties. Tiles designed for outdoor use often have a textured surface to enhance grip, thereby reducing the chances of slipping.

Fade Resistant

Fade resistance is an essential attribute for outdoor tiles. This feature ensures that their colour and pattern remain vibrant and unaffected by environmental factors over time.

Porcelain tiles are recommended for outdoor use due to their excellent fade-resistant properties. They retain their colour and integrity, unlike some other materials that may deteriorate or lose vibrancy over the years.

Stain Resistant

Stain resistance is what helps to keep tiles unblemished and visually appealing despite exposure to various substances like spills and pet accidents.

best outdoor non slip tile

This feature is particularly important in outdoor settings where tiles are more likely to come into contact with staining agents. Stain-resistant tiles maintain their aesthetic appeal and require less intensive cleaning, making them ideal for high-traffic outdoor areas.

Porcelain tiles are often highlighted for their excellent stain resistance, attributed to their low porosity. This means that the surface of these tiles does not allow for the penetration of staining substances, making them easier to clean and maintain.

Outdoor Tiling Design Ideas

Revamping your outdoor space with tiles can transform it into a stylish and inviting extension of your home. In the following sections, we'll explore various design ideas that can elevate your outdoor areas, from patios to poolsides.

Adjoin Patio Flooring With Indoor Flooring

Adjoining patio flooring with indoor flooring is a contemporary design trend that creates a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces. This design concept involves selecting flooring materials that can be used both inside and outside, blurring the lines between the two areas.

Our findings show that a popular approach is to use the same or similar tiles for both indoor and outdoor spaces, which not only enhances the aesthetic flow but also makes the interior space feel larger and more connected to the outdoors.

The key is to choose colours that complement both the interior design and the outdoor setting, ensuring a fluid transition.

Use Large Tiles To Frame A Pool

This design concept involves selecting large-format tiles to create a sleek, contemporary look around the pool. Large tiles offer several advantages: they create a more harmonious and expansive appearance, reducing the overall number of grout lines.

best tiles for garden

The important thing is to choose tiles that are slip-resistant and durable enough to withstand pool chemicals and constant exposure to water.

Consider A Wood Effect Outdoor Tiles

Considering wood effect outdoor tiles is an innovative way to bring the warmth and natural beauty of wood to your outdoor spaces without the maintenance challenges of real wood, which also arise when discussing composite versus wood decking.

Wood effect tile offers a hyper-realistic look of natural wood while providing numerous practical benefits. These tiles are waterproof, making them ideal for outdoor environments where moisture and weather exposure are the norm.

They are also scratch and stain-resistant, long-lasting, and versatile, allowing for various design styles and enabling homeowners to achieve a range of looks from rustic to contemporary.

Conclusion

There you have it. We've showcased the best in outdoor tiling, from the elegant Flote™ Off-White for patios to the robust Slate™ for seating areas. Not to mention our design ideas, like seamless indoor-outdoor transitions and large tiles for pool framing, that aim to inspire and elevate your outdoor space.

Choose Ovaeda for a blend of style and functionality in outdoor tiling. Let us help you transform your outdoor area into a stunning, practical extension of your home.

Shop our top-tier tiling options today! 

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