Using Tile Outdoors? Let’s Talk Durable Porcelain Tile.

Whether you’re considering a refresh to your outdoor space or putting a brand new floor from scratch, the material you choose can make or break your project. When it comes to selection, you’ll want to keep things like durability and resistance in mind. As you can imagine, most exterior surfaces experience a high amount of foot traffic and a wide variety of weather conditions. 

Porcelain tiles are an excellent choice for many reasons, including durability, design flexibility, maintenance and resistance to water and stains. Let’s take a look at the benefits of porcelain tiles, and take you through a few comparisons with similar, yet quite different, products in the space. 

Unmatched Durability

Right out of the gate, it’s clear that porcelain gets high marks for durability, and it starts with the unique manufacturing process. Outdoor porcelain tiles are made using refined clay that’s pressed tightly into shape and fired at high temperatures. This process creates dense, heavy tiles that are strong, hard, and scratch-resistant. 

When you compare it to materials like natural stone and even other types of tile, porcelain wins out for its non-porous qualities. In fact, porcelain tile doesn’t absorb water or dirt, meaning it can retain its color and structure regardless of exposure to harsh elements like salt or sand. Porcelain tiles are also scratch resistant. It’s an exceptionally durable material that can withstand extreme temperatures, while also still looking gorgeous on an outdoor patio or social space. 

Endless Possibilities

Beyond functionality, porcelain tiles come in a wide variety of patterns and colors, from upscale elegance to minimal and simple. For instance, the Cantina style tile comes in several classic color schemes that mimic the look of brick, providing a realistic, low maintenance option for an exterior floor or wall. Both homeowners and businesses alike can benefit from the adaptable styles to achieve nearly any aesthetic. 

Porcelain tiles are also known for being widely available in many popular sizes and textures. Choose from an assortment of natural stones such as marble or granite, or go with a warmer, earthy feel and explore styles that mimic wood planks. If you can imagine it, there’s a porcelain tile that can match it. 

Nothing Like It

So, how does porcelain tile stack up to alternative options in the market? Of course, you have other choices when it comes to flooring, but as you’ll see below, each material type comes with its own sets of pros and cons. Here are just a few of the more common floor and wall materials and how they differ from porcelain tiles. 

Ceramic Tiles

Developed from a mixture of sand, talc, and clay, ceramic tiles are often seen as more brittle when compared to porcelain. This more fragile makeup means it’s likely to crack under significant pressure and its surface is much less resistant to the rough activity and weather occurring in your typical outdoor space.

Cement Tiles

When you think cement, you think durable, right? While, yes, cement tiles hold up well with high-volume foot traffic and are known for solid insulation, they actually have a higher absorption rate than porcelain tiles. Cement tiles repel less water, so over time they’re trapping more moisture which means more water damage and decay in the long term.

Vinyl Tiles

Another popular choice is vinyl tile, and it’s a great material in many applications, known for its soft texture and waterproofed surface. However, vinyl tiles are far less durable than porcelain. When exposed to extreme temperatures or inclement weather, vinyl has been known to swell or crack,  which requires replacement or even a full overhaul. Porcelain tiles, however, are UV-resistant, which means they won’t fade and will last a lot longer than vinyl.

As you can see, there are a great many benefits when it comes to using porcelain tile in your outdoor space. Whether you’re upgrading or starting fresh, outdoor porcelain is a great investment, offering unmatched durability, high moisture and stain resistance, as well as a ton of aesthetic flexibility. Visit acmebricktileandstone.com and browse hundreds of styles, colors, sizes, and texture combinations to find the floor or wall that suits your space.