By Paul at TileHomeGuide.com 

Creating a phenomenal outside space comes down to the right landscaping, planning, accessories, furniture, and also the choosing the right type of flooring for your needs. Often times, homeowners choose to go with concrete, wood, or both for their patio’s floor. However, while concrete is, of course, tough, visually it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, it can be quite drab. A wooden deck may be prone to rot and require routine maintenance to protect it from the elements. For transforming the look of stairs, patios, gardens, and the appearance of your outside space as a whole, outdoor tiles are often a much better choice.  With a variety of options that can also serve quite a few different functions, they should be a consideration for anyone thinking about a backyard upgrade.

Before You Begin Installing Outdoor Tiles

Of course, before looking at any tiles, you should at least have a general idea of what you’d like to use your area for. That’s because each specific material really is intended to be used for certain applications. While some may be more for aesthetics other materials are perfectly suited for use as outdoor floor tiles in areas that will get a lot of foot traffic or even abuse. And a few are great for both. So to prevent any future disappointment or damage and make sure you are on the road to a successful installation, you’ll need to do a little planning and possibly guessing about how your space will be used in the upcoming years.

Go Natural: Explore Outdoor Tile with Earthy Textures

For many homeowners, the only way to go is with a tile material that has been made by Mother Nature herself. Natural stone tiles can be unbelievably attractive due to the fact that they can vary incredibly from tile to tile. Each one has its own totally distinct markings and depending on how they are cut even texture.  Colors too can really span a wide range even in the same material. However, most stones do have options for those looking for something that is much more consistent. Granite, slate, limestone, and travertine can all be used to create some gorgeous looking spaces. But don’t forget, each type of stone does have its own functions and areas where they work best or don’t work at all.

Another Take on the Real Thing

The one drawback to authentic stone is that it can be costly and may not be in everyone’s budget. There are some other choices however that you may want to check out if you do prefer the look of stone but not how much costs. Cement can actually be a made to look just like the real thing. Outdoor cement tiles can also even mimic the texture of certain stones such as slate so that they can give you the look you desire and also a non-slip grip which is helpful in wet areas and on stairs. Porcelain too is another option that can be manufactured so that it looks deceivingly like natural stone. This is due to the fact that when it is dyed, the colors are absorbed into the body of the tile, not just the surface, making it very convincing. When stamped with a stone-like texture this budget-friendly choice also becomes one of the top outdoor tiles for steps as it can easily prevent accidents.

Summing Up

Upgrading your outside space with the proper outdoor tile will be sure to add to the enjoyment, use, and value you, your family, and guests get from it. Not to mention, it will also increase the value of your property on paper, along with the curb appeal of your home. Just make sure to take the necessary time to read up on the choices available to make sure the material you pick meets your needs.