Can Ceramic Tile Be Used Outside

Concrete tiles are durable and colorful and can stand up to high porch traffic.

Can ceramic tile be used outside.

For this very reason when contemplating the use of tile for an outdoor area porcelain is the appropriate tile to consider. Glaze or glazed it is still ceramic. There are large numbers of buildings that are clad in terracotta tile. Outside however where your tile can experience temperatures from over 100 º f to below freezing you need wide enough grout joints with flexible enough grout to give your tiles some wiggle room.

When you directly compare porcelain tile to ceramic tile you will find that the porcelain is more durable and indeed more water resistant as well making it an ideal choice for outdoor areas such as patios. In places like italy and mexico you can find exterior tile in good condition despite centuries of wear and tear. They can be laid out in a multitude of design styles. Generally speaking though ceramic tile is best suited for light use patios since it will not be as strong as other choices.

It has been used outside for thousands of years. Not only does tile offer a range of colors and designs unmatched by any other material it s also amazingly tough. The idea of porcelain often conjures images of delicate ornate teacups and china that people only bring out on special occasions. These substrates must be structurally sound meet deflection requirements and meet on plane requirements.

For about 6 000 years builders have been using ceramic tile outdoors on buildings walkways even streets. However porcelain in tile form has many qualities that make it ideal for use outside. They can be used and have been used. We recommend at least 1 8 grout joints and higher quality colorfast cement based grout with a grout additive to protect it from stains.

Just a note on terminology. Terracotta stoneware and porcelain are all ceramics. Generally ceramic porcelain or stone tile can be installed over suitable substrates in exterior locations including mortar beds over concrete slabs and directly onto concrete slabs. When thinking about using porcelain tiles outdoors there are a number of important considerations to take into account.

Suitable for outdoor use. Check with the supplier or manufacturer if you are unsure and double check that they are suitable for extremes of weather if that is relevant to where you live. Porcelain tiles perform well under all weather conditions are easy to care for durable slip resistant and beautiful to boot. Traditional ceramic floor tiles can be an acceptable choice for outdoor patios provided they carry a pei rating indicating sufficient strength.

Porcelain may seem like the last material you would use for an outdoor patio or walkway.