Outdoor Tile Flooring - Ideas for Patio Flooring and Stairs

Exterior steps are an important element of a house and any building. Tiles are one of the most popular materials used for patio flooring. Its appearance is the main aspect considered by the owners. However, there are other important factors to pay attention to. To create strong, long-lasting outdoor tile steps, both aesthetics and durability must be combined. Check how to choose tiles for outdoor steps.

The tiling of the exterior steps, which exterior tiles are the best

Finishing exterior stairs is an important aspect of home construction. There is no difference between finishing the patio stairs or the steps leading to the main entrance. Both are representative elements of a house, so they must combine a good appearance with adequate functionality.

Exterior stairs - the perfect tile floor for your home

Before choosing outdoor tiles for your stairs, take a look around you and notice the rest of the elements in your house. Those are your markers: they should match up with the tile floor and the steps. It is recommended to choose materials similar to those of the porch columns, window sills, baseboards and curbs. Exterior steps should also match the pathways and patios built around the building, as well as the garden. In some cases, the design of the balcony can also be an important factor. If you keep this in mind, you will be able to design the entire building in a coherent way, including all the details.

Ceramic and sandstone tiles are perfect for traditional styles like rustic. For more elegant buildings, granite flooring is better as it brings out the style. If your house was designed in a modern style, porcelain tiles might be a good choice for its simplistic form.

The tiling of the exterior stairs - the most important issues

Apart from the appearance, the exterior floor covering material must contain several characteristics that decide on its durability. You should pay attention to things like:

• Water absorption - the firm structure of the material ensures that a tile is not easily damaged. Tiles that absorb water quickly tend to crack and break if laid outside. For this reason, you should choose tiles with as low a water absorption rate as possible.

• Slip resistance - this parameter is marked with a letter “R”. Non-slip tile floors range from R9 to R13. Materials below R9 are slippery and should not be used outdoors. For external stairs, you should choose R11-R13 tiles. You can also buy tiles with diagonal channels for added protection against slipping.

• Frost resistance - protection against low temperatures. Manufacturers mark it with a snowflake symbol.

• Abrasion resistance - Exterior tile flooring is often used quite intensively. The material must be resistant to abrasion. Tiles for exterior steps must be classified as type 4 or 5.

• Hardness - the exterior tile floor must be resistant to mechanical damage. Tiles rated 7 or 8 on the hardness scale are the strongest. They are highly resistant to scratches and breakage.

Which exterior staircase with tiled flooring is the best?

There are many materials that can be used to tile stairs. Individual products differ from one another in appearance, features, and price. Before choosing the right tiles, one must consider all aspects.

• Ceramic tiles - one of the most commonly chosen materials. Ceramic tiles are quite durable. They are highly resistant to abrasion and water absorption, and can withstand very low temperatures as well as extreme weather conditions. Unglazed ceramic tiles are good for use in low-exposure places, such as basement stairs. For tiled floors on the front of the building, it is better to choose better looking porcelain or glazed tiles.

• Clinker - these tiles are made of clay and sand. Clinker tiles are very attractive as they resemble bricks. They are very good for rustic or industrial style. The method of their production is to cook them at a high temperature, which makes them very durable. Clinker is resistant to frost and mechanical damage, and tiles made of this material are non-slip. They can be used for outdoor tiled floors as well as facades.

A big disadvantage of this material is its low resistance to dirt. For this reason, clinker surfaces must be cleaned regularly.

• Granite - one of the most durable materials for tiled floors. It is resistant to abrasion, humidity, dirt and high and low temperatures. Granite has many colors and is very elegant. It has many textures, so you can choose the right type for your purpose. Granite floors are durable and highly aesthetic.

• Sandstone - tiles made of this material are much less resistant than granite. Pay attention to hardness when choosing such a product, since there are several types of sandstone. Some types easily absorb water and break quickly. Sandstone stair treads are non-slip.

• Travertine - is a naturally thick material and tiles made from it are slip resistant. Travertine is not very durable, and it can be easily scratched. To prevent this, the tiled floor must be covered with a layer of resin.

Apart from tiled floors, you could consider using other outdoor flooring materials. Pavers are a good alternative as they are cheaper than tiles and resistant to damage and abrasion. However, you should not use stone paving if there is another material on the patio or in the path of the stairs. It would look unsightly.

How to install exterior tiles on the stairs?

Laying floor tiles by yourself is not very difficult. It is important to choose tiles with the right qualities. If laid correctly, the tiles will last a long time without damage. When tiling stairs, keep a few things in mind:

• Choose tiles that were produced specifically for the purpose of covering the steps. The elements included in such sets are easier to install, and the overall appearance of the steps is better.

• If you must cut the tiles, cut only the ones you plan to put on the edges of the stairs. This procedure helps to maintain the symmetry of the stairs and the cuts are less visible. The steps look more elegant.

• Before beginning the tile laying process make sure the steps have the correct slope. It is important that the water flows downwards, if it were to stay on the surface, it would damage it. If you notice that the steps do not have the proper slope, you should fix them with spacer paste. The correct slope of the staircase is 1-2%.

• Make sure the surface is even and clean. To increase grip and reduce water absorption, prime the surface.

• Before you can install the tiles, you need to waterproof the stairs. To do this, cover them with two layers of sealing plaster.

• The adhesive must be specifically intended for tiles. It must be resistant to frost and water.

• Start working from the highest step and proceed down. Start with the horizontal tiles and end with the vertical layer.

You can grout the tiles after 2 or 3 days of laying. Make sure the grout is the same brand as the glue. These products work better with each other than other brands.

Exterior tiles for stairs - what should you avoid?

The most common mistake that can be made when choosing exterior tiles for stairs is to pay attention only to how the tiles look. Aesthetics is, of course, an important aspect that affects the appearance of the entire building. Do not forget, however, that the entrance of a house is the most used place in its surroundings. This is why the durability of exterior tiles is so important. Another equally significant issue is practicality. Avoid deeply carved patio tiles. They are much more prone to damage.

If ornamental outdoor tiles are a must for you, choose patio tiles with an interesting color pattern.

The installation process is also an important issue. Exterior tiles need to use special products to glue them. The glue must be able to withstand changing temperatures. It must also be resistant to weather conditions.

Choosing the right tile flooring for your stairs can be tricky business. You need to consider only a few aspects to make the purchase easier. A well-chosen and well-laid floor lasts for years, making the house appear elegant and well-maintained. Therefore, it is worth spending some time to buy the right tiles for your house.

Remember that the exterior tiles of the stairs and the floor must match the pavers and their color. If you want to make more changes to your garden, check out some new ideas for its design. Thuja trees and ornamental shrubs could be a perfect complement.

How to install the tiled floor?

After measuring the surface and establishing the tile scribe line, spread the mortar in an area of about 1 square meter. Lay the tiles starting at the first intersection of two layout lines and continue, applying small patches of mortar.

How to remove the tiled floor?

All you need is a hammer, a hand chisel, and a floor scraper. Break the first tile and carefully remove the pieces with the chisel. If the adhesive is soft enough, you can use the floor scraper to remove multiple tiles at once.

How much does it cost to install a tiled floor?

The cost depends on the type of tiles being installed, the area to be tiled, and the price of additional materials. Ceramic and clinker tiles are the cheapest, while granite is more expensive but also more durable.

How to install a vinyl tile floor on concrete?

If the concrete is dry and clean, make sure it is even, and smooth it if necessary. Then lay the tiles according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Some types of vinyl tile can be laid without adhesive, while others require the use of this product.