Skip to content
Home ยป What to Know About Outdoor Porcelain Tile

What to Know About Outdoor Porcelain Tile

Get rid of the hassle of concrete slabs and stones. Discover the reasons why outdoor porcelain tile is an extremely durable, flexible material for outdoor flooring.

According to historians, the ancient Chinese developed the art of porcelain over 1000 years back. It is typically used in delicate figurines or kitchenware however the medieval Chinese realized the material’s higher potential centuries before. The 260-foot tower of porcelain in Nanjing was built using ceramic bricks around 1431. It stood for four centuries.

Recently, porcelain tiles have increased in popularity and demand, particularly for outdoor use.

What exactly are outdoor porcelain tiles?

Porcelain tile falls within the ceramic family, however it is produced according to higher standards than standard ceramics. The highly refined and pure clay is fired longer as well as at greater temperatures. This results in a flexible highly durable and long-lasting product that can be installed on walls or floors outside and indoors.

What are the various types of Tiles made from Porcelain?

Unglazed Porcelain Tiles

There is no finish on the outside and each tile is adorned with an individual pattern. Although they do not have a protective coating the unglazed porcelain tiles are durable against wear and weather. Unglazed tiles are able to be constructed in any kind of texture, and can also be polished to give an attractive appearance. Unglazed tiles are classified in two types:

Glazed Porcelain Tiles

These are then sealed by the protection coating. They are available in solid colors or patterned. Customers are often able to choose between matte, semi-polished, or gloss finish. Glazed tiles can be classified into two types:

Tiles printed with images, that go through an exclusive glazing process in which an image created using digital technology is printed onto the tile. The result is that porcelain tiles are able to appear like stones, wood or any other flooring types.

Color-bodied tiles that are colored through the entire thickness and as a coating to protect them and add aesthetic value.

Porcelain tiles are further divided into five grades according to the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI). Grade one is considered to be the least durable, whereas grades five are the toughest.

Are Porcelain Tile suitable for outdoor Use?

Porcelain tiles make a fantastic material for outdoor use for numerous reasons:

All porcelain tiles have a water absorption percentage that is less than 0.5 percent, which makes them weather and stain resistant. Since they don’t absorb much water, they won’t break in cold temperatures like other materials.

Ceramic tiles are very resistant to UV fading even when they are placed under direct sun.

The process of making porcelain tiles is what makes them more durable and stronger than those made of ceramics that are used in high-traffic areas.

The pros and cons of Porcelain Tiles

Pros

Superior durability over other ceramics used in high-traffic areas;

Perfect for outdoor use;

The versatility of these products is that they can be used indoors as well as outdoors, and are made with a variety of colors, textures and patterns.

Lighter and thinner than other outdoor materials like concrete and stone.

Low maintenance

Stain, moisture and fire resistant.

Cons

Higher priced than other ceramic products.

It is more robust than other ceramic products.

It is difficult to cut without special equipment.

Installation

The installation of porcelain tiles is similar to every other outdoor tile installation. It’s time-consuming and requires technical knowledge. Porcelain tiles are extremely hard and, while this ensures they are durable but it also means that you require specialized tools to cut the tiles. Don’t attempt to install the tiles unless you’re a professional DIYer prepared to invest in tools to do the task.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Tiles made of porcelain are easily cleaned by using water and mild detergent. For more difficult dirt or deep cleaning, you can use a vinegar and water mix or a specific tile cleaner with a soft-bristle comb. Avoid using brushes, if feasible on polished or glaze tiles. Do not use ammonia or bleach-based cleaners, oils-based cleaners, cleaning products with color, steel wool or brushes made of hard-bristle.