Outdoor Tiles

Ardex X7W is one example of an adhesive that is a great choice for outdoor use, as it’s frost and weather resistant.

It’s suitable for a variety of outdoor uses, including for wet areas like swimming pools and moisture-sensitive natural stone tiles.

You can jet wash outdoor porcelain tiles, but you should use a low-pressure setting and avoid getting too close. Short range or high-power jet washing can damage grout lines and chip the tiles.

Porcelain outdoor tiles are glazed, meaning they’re easier to clean than concrete pavers. Regularly cleaning with water, soap, or a tile cleaning solution should mean you don’t need to use a jet washer on your garden or patio tiles.

Outdoor tiles are generally between 9mm and 20mm thick, depending on the volume of foot traffic they’ll endure.

For example, outdoor tiles that see a lot of foot traffic will be around 20mm thick while decorative options will be thinner.

You can read our outdoor tiling guide to find out more about picking the right tiles for your outdoor space.

Yes, you can paint outdoor tiles using special paint designed for exterior use. You’ll need to thoroughly clean the tiles to remove any dirt and debris before starting.

Using a primer and a sealer will mean your painted tiles will retain their appearance for longer, but bear in mind that you’ll need to apply new coats of paint roughly every year – possibly more regularly in outdoor areas that are more exposed to the elements or foot traffic.

You also won’t achieve the same look and finish with painted tiles as you would with original tiles, so it’s important to weigh up which choice is right for your outdoor space.

No, outdoor tiles certainly aren’t slippery. All our outdoor tiles provide a safe and slip-resistant surface, with slip ratings of R11 or higher – which indicates an anti-slip finish.

The textured or coated surfaces on our outdoor tiles increase friction, meaning they’re not slippery, even when they’re wet.

Yes, concrete makes a stable and durable base for laying outdoor tiles. It’s also naturally porous, which allows water to drain away from underneath the tiles. This prevents pooled water, which can cause outdoor tiles to crack.

If you’re laying outdoor tiles over concrete, make sure it's clean, dry and clear of any debris before starting and use a suitable adhesive.

You can find out more about how to lay outdoor tiles on our blog.

The number of outdoor tiles you will need depends on the size of the outdoor space you’re looking to cover.

We have a handy floor area calculator that can help you work out how many outdoor tiles you’ll need for your project.