Using Tile to Beautify Your Outdoor Living Space

Dear Rob:

Next summer, I would like to totally redo my back yard, 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 its water absorption rate. When shopping, look for tiles that are rated for exterior use. Commonly tiles in the impervious water absorption class of less than .5% water absorption are considered suitable for outdoor use. Tiles with a glossy finish are not recommended because when wet the surface may become slippery and accidents may occur.

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.

Tile of course can be installed on patios, decks and other exterior floor surfaces, but it can also be used in much more creative ways.  Try using tile on exterior columns or stairs. Consider creating a water feature with tile or using tile to build planter boxes. Like inside, tile can be used for walls such as outdoor showers, decorative wall plaques or divider walls to separate outdoor areas.

A great place to use tile or stone is in an outdoor kitchen. Tile can be used for the countertop, the backsplash, the floor area or the area where the grill is built in. Bringing tile to outdoor kitchens adds style and elegance making the area feel like a room outside.

Tile can also be used as a path in a garden or in between areas outside. Rocks or other materials can be used in between the tiles for a different look. Tile is also an excellent choice for pathways where you want to define a walking area.

The same patterns that are used inside can also be used outside. Often, areas outside are larger than areas being tiled inside and can afford a larger more detailed pattern. Just like on the inside, decorative tile patterns add style and design to any area.

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

Tips for Using Tile on Fireplace Surrounds and Hearths

Dear Rob:

I’ve read about a lot of different ways to use tile on your site, but not much about my latest project.  I’d like to use tile to give my old brick fireplace a new look.  Do you have any tips before I get started?

-Jeff in Ohio

Dear Jeff:

There are many different ways to use tile around your home, as well as many different types of tiles that can be used to finish fireplaces. Since you’re working with an existing fireplace, you are a little more limited as far as how much tile and what size tile you are able to use. If you are beginning from the design phase, you have many more options and ways to use tile.

The most common way to use tile on a fireplace is to install it on the fireplace surround. This is the area directly surrounding the fireplace box below the mantle. Most commonly, the tile is installed with 12 inches showing around the edges. The tiles typically used are 12×12 ceramic or porcelain tiles, 12×12 natural stone tiles such as marble, granite or slate, several rows of 4×4 tiles or mosaic tiles.

If the area requires more than 12″ to be covered, then the appropriate size tile should be chosen to fill in the space desired with the least amount of cut tiles. Other tile sizes that can be used are 13×13, 16×16, 18×18, 20×20 and 24×24.

If the fireplace has a hearth, the tile can be installed here as well. Some hearths are simply tile installed flush with the adjacent floor covering. This is done to protect the floor from sparks that can fly out of the fireplace when real wood is being burned. Some hearths are built like an elevated box that you can sit on. Tile can be installed on the face and seat portion of the hearth, or this part can be made from a different material. Often the part of the hearth that you can sit on will be installed as a slab of stone rather than individual tiles.

Tile can also be installed above the mantle. The choice is up to you how high the tile is installed. Sometimes, the tile is installed all the way to the ceiling making the area appear higher and taller.

Tile can also be used when you have a corner fireplace. Using a porcelain or glass tile is a good choice because the tiles are the same color throughout. This makes the corner and edge transitions look as natural as possible.

Tile patterns that are most commonly used around a fireplace are: straight, diagonal, staggered or brick joint. There is generally not enough room in the area around a fireplace to install a very detailed pattern.

If you are about to install tile on a fireplace, be sure to consider the amount of space you have to tile and how many full pieces you can get in that space. Doing this before hand will make it easier to shop for the right tile. There is nothing worse than falling in love with a piece of tile for the fireplace and then measuring the space only to find out that you will end up with one full piece and a small cut piece. It is acceptable to have cut pieces, but small cut pieces next to one full tile can look awkward, distracting and unplanned. It is much easier to know your options before you begin looking for the perfect tile.

Advantages of Ceramic and Natural Stone Tile

Dear Rob:

I’ve read all about different ways to use tile and hardwood on your site, and I’m still stuck trying to decide whether tile or wood is best for me.  I know you’ve already written about the advantages of hardwood, so could you share some advantages of tile as well?

-Jen in New Mexico

Dear Jen:

There is no other flooring type that has the design flexibility of ceramic tile or natural stone. There are multiple shapes, sizes, installation patterns and colorways that give ceramic tile and natural stone endless design choices. This is just one of the many benefits of ceramic tile and natural stone.

In addition to tile’s design flexibility, ceramic tile is an extremely durable product. A good quality tile that is taken care of and installed properly can last a lifetime. Choosing a tile floor can be a decision that you don’t have to worry about ever again – unless of course, you decorating tastes change.

Ceramic tile and natural stone are both very easy to maintain. Walk off mats should be used at every entrance and the floors should be swept regularly. If you have a spill or stain, a manufacture approved cleaner can be used to remove the stain. That’s it for the tile itself! Areas around tile should be caulked on an annual basis.

Design Flexibility. Ceramic tile comes in sizes varying from 1″x1″ to 24″x24″ and many sizes in between including non square sizes and shapes such as octagons, rectangles and circles. These sizes can be used alone or can be mixed together for countless design choices. All you need is a little math to create custom installation patterns with the geometric size options of tile. These options in conjunction with all of the color choices available make tile the most versatile and designer friendly flooring product available!

Tile can be installed in nearly any application. Tile can be installed on floors, walls, in showers, tubs, backsplashes, ceilings, inside or outside. It can also be installed on countertops, table tops, fireplaces, hearths, columns and more. Unlike wood flooring, you don’t have to worry about installing tile in a wet environment.  It can be installed over most subfloors with the proper underlayment.

Cost effectiveness. Tile is still one of the most cost effective surfaces on the market. Once you absorb the initial cost of tile you don’t have to spend money on it again for the life of the product if it is installed properly. It doesn’t need refinishing, resurfacing, reglazing, or recoating.

Repairs are simple. Should there be a need for repair, the process is not as complicated as other flooring surfaces. In most cases it should be performed by a professional. A professional can usually repair a broken tile without damaging other tiles around it causing a larger problem.

Increase your home’s value. Ceramic tile and natural stone can increase the value of your home helping you recoup the initial cost invested in the product.

Good for allergy and asthma sufferers. Unlike carpet, which can harbor dust, mites, dander and other allergens, tile and other hard surface flooring are easier to keep clean and allergen free.

When considering purchasing new flooring, ceramic tile is a good choice if your budget permits and you are looking for a product that is easy to maintain and will not have to be replaced quickly. It can give you long lasting beauty and a focal point for your decorating scheme in your home.

-Rob

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