Tips for Beautiful Outdoor Floor Tile

Learn about some important considerations for choosing outdoor floor tile.

The ability to enjoy outdoor living spaces year-round is a huge benefit of life here in southern California. But are you happy with the look and feel of your porch, patio, pool deck, or other outdoor living space? If bare concrete or ugly old tile is keeping you from feeling calm and pampered when relaxing outside, Mission Tile West can help.

We have many different types of beautiful, durable outdoor tile in stock and we can help you select the right tile to refine the aesthetic of your outdoor space. Here are some tips that will help you get the most from your outdoor floor tile.

Pick the Right Tile Body: First of all, you need to be sure you are looking at the right type of tile for outdoor flooring. This pretty much automatically rules out glass tile, as this is too fragile and too slippery for any kind of flooring. You may be able to choose from terra cotta tile, ceramic tile, or even cement tile. We stock some excellent examples of colorful cement tiles, and the chief benefit of this tile body is that even if it does chip, the tile is colored all the way through so the design on the tile will still look great.

Pick a Low-Absorption Tile: Since your tile will be exposed to the elements, you need to make sure it will not soak up water like a sponge. Choose a tile with a low absorption rate around 3 percent to avoid this and ensure a nice long life for your outdoor floor tile.

Beware of Fading: While glazed ceramic tiles should not fade even in bright direct sun, you may experience some degree of color change or fading with certain types of terra cotta tile. This doesn’t mean you can’t use terra cotta—in fact this material is an excellent choice for patios. You just need to be aware of the fact that discoloration may occur so that you can avoid creating odd colored spots by leaving furniture or flowerpots out in the same exact spot every day.

Protect Against Slip and Falls: On any outdoor floor, you need to be sure your tile will not become slippery when wet, as this could cause falls and injuries. Be especially careful if you are choosing tile for a pool deck that will be getting wet every time you swim. Look for tiles marked “slip resistant” as these have been tested to show they still provide enough friction for safe walking even when wet.