When it comes to your outdoor living area, whether a patio or a veranda, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is the material for your deck flooring. This is particularly important if your patio is positioned near a pool, a jacuzzi, or a hot tub where it will often get wet.
This guide is designed to help you decide whether porcelain or concrete patio tiles are more advantageous to your outdoor living area.
Consider These Outdoor Floor Tile Options
It would be untrue to say all patio tiles are created equal. You must weigh certain considerations when choosing the right outdoor tiles.
For instance, since your floor tiles will be outside, you must ensure they are weather-resistant. That includes water-resistant if you place your tiles to use a pool, a jacuzzi, or another water source. Even if there is a chance your tiles could be sprayed by a sprinkler, from your garden or for watering your grass, then you should consider whether the tiles you use can withstand exposure to water.
Even sunlight can impact floor tile, so choose a patio tile that can withstand long-term exposure to sun rays.
Another consideration is texture. If your patio tiles will cover the area around your pool, you’ll want to use tiles with a mat finish, not a glossy finish. This is important because glossy tiles are slippery. You or your guests could slip or fall even while walking.
That doesn’t mean glossy tiles can’t be great for outdoor areas. If your intent is to impress, and you want your outdoor living area to look more upscale for entertaining purposes, a glossy outdoor tile might be just what your outdoor living area needs.
Another consideration is color. What kind of outdoor decor do you have? Will the outdoor tiles you choose match your outdoor decor, including your furniture, the flora surrounding it, and the color and material on the outside of your house? That’s an important consideration for any outdoor area.
You’ll also want to consider the type of outdoor area you’ll be tiling. Is your outdoor area beside a pool, an attached or detached patio, a party spot, or a conversational sitting space? Or perhaps your outdoor area isn’t a patio at all. You could just as well have a balcony, a veranda, a single- or multi-level terrace, or a pergola. While these structures are all different architectural and design spaces, they can all be paved. Consider the type of outdoor space you are planning and choose something appropriate.
Now that we’ve covered a few considerations for your tiling outdoor living area, let’s explore the differences between concrete and porcelain tiles.
Concrete vs. Porcelain:
Which Tile Is Best for Your Outdoor Party or Living Area?
We’re not saying your only options are concrete or porcelain. There are other tile options for outdoor living areas. Terrazzo tiles are quite elegant, for indoor and outdoor use. But today, we’re talking about concrete and porcelain tiles for outdoor use.
Pros and Cons of Concrete Floor Tiles for Outdoor Use
When it comes to outdoor areas, concrete is an excellent choice for several reasons. For starters, it’s less offensive than porcelain. It’s a great option if you’re on a budget.
Another great benefit to concrete is that you can choose between matt, glossy, or semi-glossy finishes. As mentioned above, if you’re pulling an area better than a pool or jacuzzi, you’ll want a mat finish. Otherwise, the shiny and semi-shiny options are just as adequate for any outdoor area where you want a nice look.
Sustainability is important, and concrete tiles are sustainable. They’ll withstand a lot of wear before giving out. However, they are easily stagnant without regularly sealed. But if you take good care of them, they will last a long time.
Concrete outdoor tiles also come in a variety of colors: Beige, Black, Brown, Grey, Taupe, or White. That makes concrete a versatile option for any type of outdoor area.
Concrete floor tiles also come in a variety of different sizes, from 12×24 to 48×48.
With the many options you have for concrete tiles, you can equip your outdoor area for living or entertaining, match it with your furniture and other outdoor decor, and be proud that you’ve tiled your outdoor space affordably and elegantly.
Pros and Cons of Concrete Floor Tiles for Outdoor Use
When it comes to outdoor areas, concrete is an excellent choice for several reasons. For starters, it’s less offensive than porcelain. It’s a great option if you’re on a budget.
Another great benefit to concrete is that you can choose between matt, glossy, or semi-glossy finishes. As mentioned above, if you’re pulling an area better than a pool or jacuzzi, you’ll want a mat finish. Otherwise, the shiny and semi-shiny options are just as adequate for any outdoor area where you want a nice look.
Sustainability is important, and concrete tiles are sustainable. They’ll withstand a lot of wear before giving out. However, they are easily stagnant without regularly sealed. But if you take good care of them, they will last a long time.
Concrete outdoor tiles also come in a variety of colors: Beige, Black, Brown, Grey, Taupe, or White. That makes concrete a versatile option for any type of outdoor area.
Concrete floor tiles also come in a variety of different sizes, from 12×24 to 48×48.
With the many options you have for concrete tiles, you can equip your outdoor area for living or entertaining, match it with your furniture and other outdoor decor, and be proud that you’ve tiled your outdoor space affordably and elegantly.
Pros and Cons of Porcelain Floor Tiles for Your Outdoor Area
Porcelain tiles are another great option, but a bit more expensive than concrete. That’s largely due to the process used to make them. Despite the manufacturing process, they are sustainable and a great option for many outdoor uses.
Like concrete, porcelain outdoor floor tiles are durable and weather/water-resistant.
Porcelain tiles also come in a variety of different size and color options as well as matte, glossy, polish, shiny, and semi-shiny. Each of these has benefits for your outdoor area and should be selected based on your own style, the use of the outdoor area, and whether your outdoor area is next to or near a pool, jacuzzi, or other water source such as a sprinkler or water fountain. If there’s a chance it could get wet and it’s a high traffic area, you’ll want to go with mat.
Eco-Depot tiles can give any outdoor area a look of elegance and class. Your outdoor tiles can be styled to look like concrete, wood, marble, natural stone, or terrazzo. There are also some decorative options.
Your outdoor tiles are a reflection of you. Select the style that matches your outdoor area and let your inner decorator shine.
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