The Complete Guide to Outdoor Porcelain Tiles: The Perfect Choice for Style on Durability.

Are you in the market for outdoor tiles that will look great and last for years to come? Look no further than outdoor porcelain tiles. These tiles are a perfect combination of style and durability, making them an ideal choice for your outdoor space, during this blog we will answer all the questions surrounding outdoor tiles, the good the bad and the….well just damn right technical.

What Kind of Tile is Best for Outdoor Use?

If you are wondering what kind of tile is best for outdoor use, porcelain tiles are your answer in general. Porcelain tiles are specifically designed to withstand the elements, making them perfect for outdoor spaces. They are also slip-resistant, making them a safer choice for outdoor areas, the slip resistance and thickness required will be down to the substrate and application, but we will cover that in more detail later.

Do you need special tiles for outside?

Whether you choose 10mm or 20mm tiles, as long as they are porcelain, they can be used externally. However, it's essential to ensure the correct sub-base preparation as previously discussed and select the right slip resistance to ensure safety.

Outdoor Non-slip Tiles for Safety

We recommend using non-slip tiles for your outdoor spaces. Porcelain tiles with a minimum R11 slip rating, making them safe to walk on even when wet. This is especially important for areas around pools or other water features.

The best outdoor tile for cold weather is porcelain. Porcelain tiles are extremely durable and are designed to withstand even the coldest weather conditions due to their low porosity, with a maximum water absorption rate of 0.5%, making them frost-proof and ideal for outdoor use. Therefore, it's crucial to select porcelain tiles for any external project to ensure they can withstand the harsh outdoor conditions. Porcelain is harder than granite so they are less likely to crack or chip in cold temperatures compared to other paving solutions.

Durability and Resistance to Wear and Tear

Outdoor porcelain tiles are the ideal choice when it comes to durability and resistance to wear and tear. Some of the benefits include:

• Hardness: Porcelain is the hardest material you can choose for your outdoor tiles, with a harder Mohs rating than granite that can only be scratched by diamonds.
• Frost resistance: With a 0.5% porosity, porcelain tiles are frost-proof, making them suitable for use in colder climates.
  

Low Maintenance and Easy to Clean

Outdoor porcelain tiles are low maintenance and easy to clean. They are resistant to stains, mould, and mildew, and they can be easily cleaned with a mild detergent and water.

• Stain resistance: Porcelain tiles are highly resistant to stains due to the low porosity, making them easy to clean and maintain.
• Low maintenance: Porcelain tiles require minimal maintenance, as they do not require sealing or waxing like some other types of outdoor tiles.
  

Sealing Outdoor Porcelain Tiles

When it comes to purchasing outdoor porcelain tiles, it's important to invest in high-quality tiles that don't require sealing and are produced sustainably. Cheaper tiles from countries such as India, Turkey, and China may have lower production standards and require additional maintenance like sealing, which can increase the overall cost of renovation.



At our company, we prioritize good quality at competitive prices, and we only source porcelain tiles from European producers. Our focus is on providing customers with durable and long-lasting tiles that offer superior performance and style. By investing in high-quality outdoor porcelain tiles, customers can save money in the long run and avoid issues like staining and slipping. A Lot of companies have moved into porcelain external tiles focusing on buying large volumes from the lowest price, we have seen first hand the issues that this causes.

How to Install Outdoor Porcelain Tiles: Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Proper installation is key to ensuring that your outdoor porcelain tiles last for years to come. Here are some tips and common mistakes to avoid when installing outdoor porcelain tiles.

Proper Subfloor Preparation :

Proper subfloor preparation is crucial to a successful installation. The subfloor should be clean, level, and free of any cracks or imperfections.

Can Outdoor Tiles Be Lain on Concrete?

Yes, outdoor tiles can be laid on concrete. However, proper subfloor preparation is crucial to ensure a successful installation. The concrete surface must be clean, level, and free of cracks and other imperfections.

It's worth noting that 10mm porcelain tiles are commonly used in car showrooms and other high-traffic areas, so they are more than strong enough when installed on a concrete sub base. However, it's important to choose tiles with the appropriate slip resistance. We recommend a minimum R11 rating for outdoor tiles, which 10mm tiles can easily meet. In contrast, 20mm porcelain tiles are typically rated R11 as standard.

For the 20mm porcelain tiles being installed on a MOT type 1 base option, the preparation process is a bit more involved. A layer of MOT type 1 is laid and compacted, followed by a layer of sharp sand. The area is then leveled with a screed board and compacted again. Once the base is stable, the tiles are placed onto the base and leveled using a rubber mallet, the base of the porcelain tile that is installed is also primed to ensure bonding between the cement and tile, failure to prime will cause the install to fail. During install Gaps are left for grouting, and the tiles are then grouted once the adhesive has dried.

Adhesive and Grout Selection:

Choosing the right adhesive and grout is important when installing outdoor porcelain tiles. Be sure to choose an adhesive and grout that are specifically designed for outdoor use.

Matching Indoor and Outdoor Tiles with Moni Calibre Porcelain

Most external tiles are not designed to match indoor tiles, and even if they are advertised as the same size, they often have slightly different nominal sizes. For example, indoor tiles with a nominal size of 598x598mm may be marketed as 600x600mm, while outdoor tiles with a nominal size of 605x605mm may be marketed as 600x600mm. By using monocalibre porcelain tiles, you can ensure that your indoor and outdoor tiles are exactly the same size, creating a seamless transition between the two areas. This means you can have perfectly matching grout joints from inside to outside, giving your space a cohesive and sophisticated look. At our company, we focus on providing high-quality monocalibre porcelain tiles from European producers to ensure our customers receive the best possible products.

Why Monocalibre Porcelain is a Great Choice

A seamless look is aesthetically pleasing and creates a sense of continuity throughout your home, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. By using matching monocalibre porcelain tiles, you can achieve a cohesive and harmonious design that enhances the overall beauty of your property. This uniformity also makes your space feel larger and more open, as there are no jarring transitions between different flooring materials or styles. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to choose between functionality and style, as monocalibre porcelain tiles offer both durability and elegance, making them the perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Design Ideas and Inspiration for Outdoor Porcelain Tiles

Now for the fun, once you've decided to install outdoor porcelain tiles, the design possibilities are endless. Here are a few ideas to inspire you for various applications:

Outdoor Wall and Floor Tiles

Outdoor wall and floor tiles can be used to create a variety of design effects. For example, you can use large-format tiles to create a seamless, modern look, or use smaller tiles to create a pattern or mosaic. Porcelain tiles can be used to create a variety of styles, from sleek and modern to classic and rustic.

Conclusion: Why Outdoor Porcelain Tiles are the Best Choice for Your Outdoor spaces?

Outdoor porcelain tiles are the perfect choice for style, durability, and low maintenance. With a wide range of design options and the ability to match indoor and outdoor tiles seamlessly with mono caliber porcelain, there is a tile to meet every design need. By properly preparing the subfloor, using the right adhesive and grout, and following proper installation techniques, you can enjoy your outdoor porcelain tiles for years to come. So why settle for anything less than the best? Choose outdoor porcelain tiles for your next outdoor project and enjoy a beautiful, durable, and low-maintenance space for years to come. 

Feel free to order samples from any of our Outdoor ranges or contact us to discuss your project in more detail sales@Archi-tile.co.uk