Tiles are an excellent solution for styling up outdoor areas. Uniform tiling creates tidy looking spaces and because tiles are easier to care for than natural lawns, they stay looking smarter for longer.
Tiles are typically robust and designed for many years of use, and come in a dizzying array of appearances, sizes and shapes. However, the material they are made from is a key consideration.
Two popular tile materials for exterior use are porcelain and ceramic and while both are suitable for such usage, they have their strengths and weaknesses. Join us now as we put these tiling choices through their paces and make an informed decision about which might be best for your current design project.
When you want to create a luxury look and feel to outside spaces, the polished appearance of porcelain tiles is an outstanding selection. There are also a vast number of designs available making it a versatile option for designers, artists and architects seeking the perfect floor solution for their work. While porcelain is elegant to the eye and associated with fine and fragile products, it is extremely robust. Its excellent structural integrity makes it able to withstand considerable traffic in outdoor areas that have substantial footfall, like paths and concourses where people gather.
Porcelain tiles are exceptionally low maintenance. They don’t need sealing and can be cleaned with ease using just a mop and water. Porcelain is both stain and water resistant, making it highly durable when dealing with the elements like rain, snow and plant life that leak chlorophyl, turning surfaces green.
Using porcelain doesn’t come without a cost. Porcelain tiles are pricier to purchase than ceramic solution, and they are also far heavier to move. It’s well known that the installation process for porcelain tiles is also far trickier than other tile types. Dense and brittle, they require professionals with specialist skills and tools like diamond-bladed wet saws to fit them or chipping can occur. Finally, porcelain tiles are not a positive match when a natural look is desired for outdoor areas.
There are plenty of design options for outdoor ceramic tiles, with different shapes, sizes, colours, styles and patterns available to pick from. Ceramic tiles are durable products that are extremely water resistant, making them perfect for outdoor use. They are also less costly to purchase than porcelain, putting less stress on your budget. Lighter to carry and simpler to cut, ceramic tiles make for easier installations. Unlike porcelain, ceramic tiles can be fitted using standard cutting tools and often require less specialised installers, reducing project costs. The softer material of ceramics also makes it easier to mask installation errors that would be more noticeable than with porcelain tiles.
In comparison to porcelain tiles, ceramic solutions are more prone to cracking and less resistant to wear. Standard ceramic tiles are also more porous, meaning they can take on water. When water freezes at low temperatures, tiles can become damaged. However, more advanced ceramics tiles can be sealed to protect them against outdoor issues like frost. It’s critical to remember that damaged tiles should always be repaired or replaced quickly.
Here at Digital Ceramics, we are an expert design print company that specialises in porcelain and ceramic tile printing. While standard ceramic and porcelain tiles have their drawbacks, we have improved upon their design with cutting-edge tile manufacturing processes.
For instance, all tiles outdoors will experience wet weather, which can make their surfaces slippery. To reduce health and safety risks in outdoor spaces, our tiles have an extremely high anti-slip rating, making them highly compatible with requirements for commercial projects.
All the tiles we supply are kiln fired and rigorously tested to ensure they meet rigid industry specifications for both durability and colour fastness. It important to note that the innovative technology used to create our bespoke tiles ensures that they are hardwearing, long lasting and resistant to fading and abrasion. They are resistant to both water and chemicals, making them simple to clean and keep in perfect condition. Designed for all-weather use and resistant to mould, they are an excellent option for outdoor areas.
If you require custom tiles for a design project that involves outdoor spaces, make us your first choice and contact us to arrange a discovery call today.
Talk to us today and find out how we can transform a project of any scale into an exciting visual experience.
