Why You Should Consider an Outdoor Tile Patio

As experienced tile installers in Vaughan & the surrounding area, we know that when spring is in the air, it’s only natural to turn your attention to your outdoor living space. Even though outdoor entertaining this year may look a little different, the fact remains that it’s always worth investing in your spatial aesthetic for you and you alone. After all, your home is where you live, thrive, and heal, so inside and out, your space should bring you joy. 

If you’re ready to transform your patio into a backyard oasis, then keep reading. We’re going to tell you about a choice you may not have considered: tiling your outdoor living spaces. 

What You Need to Know About Tile Patios

Like wooden decks, natural stone and tiles are an appealing choice indoors and outdoors because they’re durable, long-lasting, and with a wide selection available you can turn your floors into a focal point. You can use tiles outside to refresh over an existing space for far less cost, or giving your outdoor space  a unique look as part of a larger redesign. However, there are a few things you should bear in mind before you decide on tiling your patio.

Durability: Anything installed outside needs to be durable and capable of withstanding the elements. What’s more, the durability will also depend on the lifestyle and demographic of the homeowners. If there are young children or pets, the tile will see considerable wear, so the tile strength becomes even more important—meaning porous tiles are out of the question.

Cost: Installed over an existing patio, tiling is a great way to get a new look for a lot less. By just covering the surface, there’s none of the cost and hassle that comes with the alternative of replacing landscaping pavers and stones. But constructing a tiled patio in a brand new space does come with a higher price tag and is largely dependent on your choice of tile. So if you’ve got a budget, pick a less expensive option, like ceramic.

This said, you may be able to make a natural stone patio work with your budget. Contact us for a free consult. We’ve been tile installers in Vaughan for decades and we have helped hundreds of clients get the look they want at a price they can afford. 

Finish: With so many tile finishes available, ranging from smooth to textured, it’s advisable to limit your selection to textured tiles only. This is because smooth tiles are exceptionally slippery when coated with elements, like rain, and you wouldn’t want to walk across a slick tile and fall.

Climate: The type of tile you select for your outdoor patio needs to be tough enough to survive the climate you live in; for Canadians, this means enduring sub-zero temperatures and thaws. The trouble is, if the tile allows water to seep in, it threatens the integrity of the tile so it’s more likely to crack. For climates with a great deal of fluctuation, low absorption tiles, frost-proof, or frost resistant tiles like porcelain are best. 

Cleanliness:  Patio tile is built to be easy to clean, requiring only regular sweeping and the occasional mop. Outdoor tile can also grow mold in cracks or in places where the grout is damaged, however. This means you need to pay close attention to the tiles, and should an imperfection occur you immediately fix it to prevent mold growth.

Foundation: Another thing to keep in mind when considering outdoor tile is the added expense of building a stable, level foundation beneath it to prevent the tiles from cracking. Any shifts to the ground without a proper foundation will heave and crack the tile above it so you’ll need a stable surface below your tiles to ensure they last a long time. 

The Best Frost Proof or Frost Resistant Tiles

In the decades we’ve spent as tile installers and contractors, we’ve seen how tiles react–and fail to react–to the extreme Canadian weather. With those extremes in mind, here are the best tiles for outdoors: 

• Porcelain: Made in a kiln, porcelain tiles keep moisture on the surface of the tile, which stops it from reaching the bottom to prevent cracking. This means porcelain will not suck in moisture like a sponge because it’s not porous, therefore the tile won’t crack from freezing/thawing temperature variations.
• Granite: This natural stone is tough and made to withstand harsh weather making it an excellent choice for an outdoor patio.
  
• Wood or Composite Tiles: These man-made tiles are usually constructed from bangkirai or ipe trees or composite materials (polymer or faux wood) and are insect-resistant, resistant to sun fading, and, most importantly, impervious to extreme climates. 
  

Why You Should Install an Outdoor Tile Patio

If you want to refresh the look of your patio, don’t overlook the natural beauty of outdoor tiles. There are many tiles available that can survive extreme weather climates, and as the premier tile installers in Vaughan, we know how tile can enhance and enliven your outdoor space. Have a question about your outdoor tile patio? Contact us! We’re always happy to help.