Make the most of your outdoor space by creating a stunning patio or pool deck with outdoor tiles. There are some important things to remember if you’re tiling outdoors, so we’re giving you the lowdown on outdoor tiles and our top tips to make it easy for you to choose the right option for your home.

Durable and strong

Think about where you’re tiling. Ceramic tiles are great for indoors or for a covered patio but are not ideal for exposed areas. Outdoor tiles need to be stronger because they aren’t protected from the sun, rain and changes in temperature between summer and winter, as much as they would be if they were inside your home. With that in mind, both hardbody and porcelain tiles are excellent choices for outdoor areas. Out top tip is to use a latex additive in your adhesive and grout mix to add flexibility and water resistance, for a durable tile installation.

Safety first

Safety first! Outdoor tiles can be slippery if they are wet from early morning dew, frost, rain as well when the kids are in and out of the home with wet feet from playing in a pool, or running through a sprinkler on a summer’s day. Luckily, we have tiles with a slip-resistant finish to help prevent that. Selecting an outdoor tile with a slip-resistant finish is a must-have, as this helps make your home safer for family and friends, whatever the season.

Find your style

Modern living embraces open, seamless spaces, which is why using the same tile from indoors to outdoors is very on-trend. Bring that sleek cement-look, urban feel all the way through, or embrace the warmth of a stone-look tile to blend indoor and outdoor areas beautifully. When shopping for outdoor tiles, look for tile collections that offer different surface finishes like a matt, shiny and slip-resistant option so that you can design your spaces to fit your family best. Our top tip is to look for tile collections that also offer different size tiles and matching custom décor tiles, or mosaics which make it easy to personalise your space.

Go vertical

It’s not just a beautiful floor that makes an outdoor space memorable, go vertical and add a feature wall. Use cladding or tiles around your braai or firepit, or tile a wall to bring your outdoor design together in a cohesive way. Mosaics or cut décor are a wonderful way to add an artistic element to your space. Our top tip is to check that the wall can safely take the weight of the tiles or cladding and pay attention to using the right adhesives and grout for a waterproof installation. You don’t want your beautiful tiles popping off the wall later!

Choosing the right tiles to create a welcoming outdoor area for your home is an exciting project. With our lowdown on outdoors tiles, you can plan and shop for your outdoor tiled area with confidence and enjoy your gorgeous new space for years to come. When in doubt, ask for advice in-store.