Exterior Tiles

Choosing Outdoor Porcelain Tiles

• Frost resistance: external tiles have to withstand freeze-thaw cycles. Confirm frost resistance to ISO 10545-12. Porcelain’s low water absorption (0.5% or less, Group BIa to BS EN 14411) makes it well suited to outdoor use.
• Slip resistance: external floors are uncovered and often wet. Specify a wet PTV of 36 or above to BS 7976-2, with textured or grip finishes for ramps, steps and entrance approaches.
• Thickness: 20mm porcelain is designed for pedestal and dry-lay installation. Thinner porcelain can be bonded to a concrete base with a suitable external adhesive.
• Loads: 20mm tiles on pedestals suit pedestrian areas. Areas with vehicle traffic need a fully bonded or bound installation designed for the expected loads.
• Colour stability: porcelain is fired at high temperature, so its colour doesn’t fade in sunlight.

Installing Exterior Tiles

Pedestal And Dry-Lay Systems

Exterior tiles in 20mm thickness can be laid on adjustable pedestals over a waterproofing membrane, which suits roof terraces, podium decks and balconies. Pedestals let water drain beneath the surface, take up falls in the deck below and allow access to services. The same tiles can also be dry-laid on compacted gravel or sand for courtyards and landscaped areas.

Bonded Installation

Where tiles are fixed to a concrete base, use a frost-resistant C2 adhesive with S1 or S2 deformability, applied as a solid bed with no voids where water could collect and freeze. Movement joints should be designed in at perimeters, over structural joints and at regular intervals across larger areas. The guide to the different types of tile adhesive covers external adhesives in more detail.

Where To Use Exterior Tiles

• Hospitality terraces and roof bars: matching internal and external ranges carry one finish from a bar or restaurant out onto the terrace.
• Building entrances and courtyards: hard-wearing surfaces for busy approaches that continue an internal commercial floor tile finish outside.
• Roof terraces and podium decks: pedestal-laid 20mm tiles over waterproofing for offices, hotels and large residential schemes.
• Outdoor pool surrounds: frost-resistant, slip-resistant finishes for wet barefoot areas. See the swimming pool tiles collection.
• External walls: feature walls, planters and building entrances. See the range of outdoor wall tiles.
• Landscaped areas: paths, seating areas and courtyards. See the range of garden and landscaping tiles.

Exterior Tiles FAQs

What type of tile is best for outdoor use?

Porcelain is the usual choice for outdoor tiles. Its low water absorption gives it frost resistance, it doesn’t need sealing and its colour doesn’t fade in sunlight. For floors, choose a textured finish with a wet PTV of 36 or above. For pedestal or dry-lay installation, use 20mm porcelain.

Can you put tiles over concrete outside?

Yes, provided the concrete is sound, clean, fully cured and laid to falls so water drains away. Tiles should be fixed with a frost-resistant flexible adhesive as a solid bed, with movement joints over any joints in the slab. Alternatively, 20mm porcelain can be laid on pedestals over the concrete, which avoids bonding altogether.

What is the difference between indoor and outdoor tiles?

Outdoor tiles need frost resistance and a slip-resistant surface for wet conditions. They also need to be 20mm thick if they’ll be laid on pedestals or dry-laid. Some indoor porcelain tiles are frost resistant but have a surface that’s too smooth for wet external use. Check the technical data before using an internal tile outside.

Do outdoor porcelain tiles need sealing?

No. Porcelain’s low water absorption means it doesn’t need sealing. Routine cleaning keeps the surface free of dirt and algae. The guide on how to clean porcelain patio tiles covers this in more detail.