Using Tile to Beautify Your Outdoor Living Space

Dear Rob:

Next summer, I would like to totally redo my backyard, including patios, walkways, and maybe an outdoor kitchen.  I’ve seen some tiles I’d love to use, but I’m not sure if they are good to use outside.  Can you give some pointers or ideas for using tile outdoors?

-Kyle in Utah

Dear Kyle:

Extending tile outside can add beauty and value to your home as well as a durable surface for the area you are tiling. Tile and stone are natural products that can add texture, pattern, and color to an outside area.

Keep in mind that not all tiles can be used outside. Porcelain tiles and natural stone tiles are the best choices for exterior use. This is because of their water absorption rate. When shopping, look for tiles that manufacturers rate for exterior use. In general, tiles with a water absorption rate below 0.5% work well outdoors. Avoid glossy finishes because wet surfaces can become slippery and increase the risk of falls.

Another characteristic to look for when shopping for exterior tile is the PEI rating. For areas with high traffic, you want to look for a tile with a rating of 4 or higher.

The rating system is as follows:

• PEI Class 1 Rating (No foot traffic) – Recommended for wall use in residential and commercial applications only.
• PEI Class 2 Rating (Light traffic) – Recommended for both wall use and bathroom floor applications only.
• PEI Class 3 Rating (Light to moderate traffic) – Recommended for countertops,  walls and floors where normal foot traffic is expected.
• PEI Class 4 Rating (Moderate to heavy traffic) – Recommended for all residential applications as well as medium commercial and light institutional.
• PEI Class 5 Rating (Heavy to extra heavy traffic) – Recommended for all residential as well as heavy commercial and institutional applications.

Of course, you can install tile on patios, decks, and other exterior floor surfaces, but you can also use it in much more creative ways. Add tile to exterior columns or stairs. Create a tiled water feature or build planter boxes with tile. You can also use tile on outdoor shower walls, decorative wall panels, or divider walls that separate outdoor areas.

An outdoor kitchen offers another great place to use tile or stone. Use tile on the countertop, backsplash, floor, or around a built-in grill. Tile adds style and elegance to an outdoor kitchen and helps the space feel like an extension of the home.

You can also use tile to create garden paths or connect different outdoor areas. Place rocks or other materials between the tiles to create a distinctive look. Tile works especially well for pathways where you want to clearly define a walking area.

You can carry many of the same patterns you use indoors into outdoor spaces. Because outdoor areas are often larger, they can accommodate bigger and more detailed patterns. Decorative tile patterns can add style, structure, and visual interest to almost any outdoor space.

Be creative!! Tile can be used in many other ways. Go outside and evaluate areas that do not look complete or do not look as stylish as you want them to. Try imagining those areas with tile or, better yet, with a tile pattern!

-Rob