Can Ceramic Tile Be Used Outside

However porcelain in tile form has many qualities that make it ideal for use outside.

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. Firstly and very importantly porcelain tiles have different grades and you will need to check that your chosen tiles are grade 5 i e. We recommend at least 1 8 grout joints and higher quality colorfast cement based grout with a grout additive to protect it from stains. Terracotta stoneware and porcelain are all ceramics.

Glaze or glazed it is still ceramic. Concrete tiles are durable and colorful and can stand up to high porch traffic. It has been used outside for thousands of years. Porcelain tiles perform well under all weather conditions are easy to care for durable slip resistant and beautiful to boot.

There are large numbers of buildings that are clad in terracotta tile. These substrates must be structurally sound meet deflection requirements and meet on plane requirements. Ceramic in this case means fired clay. They can be laid out in a multitude of design styles.

In places like italy and mexico you can find exterior tile in good condition despite centuries of wear and tear. For about 6 000 years builders have been using ceramic tile outdoors on buildings walkways even streets. Just a note on terminology. Suitable for outdoor use.

The idea of porcelain often conjures images of delicate ornate teacups and china that people only bring out on special occasions. 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. 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. Not only does tile offer a range of colors and designs unmatched by any other material it s also amazingly tough.

Porcelain tiles are considerably denser than many other types. 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 thinking about using porcelain tiles outdoors there are a number of important considerations to take into account. 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 may seem like the last material you would use for an outdoor patio or walkway.