Outdoor Tiles

Outdoor tiles have to do everything an indoor tile does and then survive rain, frost and direct sun. These are porcelain pavers made for patios, pool surrounds, alfresco areas and paths.

The range covers stone, timber and textured looks — Vulcano Dry-Stone, Timeless, Magic Stone, Normandy, Slaty, Xtrav, Terrazzo Stone, Tundra, Aggregate, Essential Stone, Executive Stone, Kross and Oak. Most have an indoor counterpart in the same design.

Choosing outdoor tiles

Start with the slip rating. Every tile intended for outdoor use carries one, and it is the number your certifier or pool inspector will ask about — particularly around a pool, where the requirement is stricter than for a covered patio. Check the rating on the individual tile against what your job needs rather than assuming an outdoor range covers every situation.

Then think about continuity. A large number of these designs are also available in an indoor format, which lets you run the same look from the living room straight out to the alfresco. It is the single most effective thing you can do to make an outdoor area feel like part of the house rather than an addition to it. The two formats are not the same tile, though — the outdoor version is textured for grip and often thicker.

Order the whole area at once. Porcelain is made in batches and shade varies between them, so a top-up later can leave a visible line across a patio.

Order a sample first from Tile Samples. Indoor versions are in Porcelain, and the full range is in Tiles. Builders Warehouse Online delivers Australia-wide.