A patio looks perfect the day it is finished. The real test comes after the first Wisconsin winter. Water gets into the wrong tile, freezes, expands and breaks the tile apart from the inside. Choosing outdoor tile for a patio, porch, outdoor kitchen or pool deck is mostly about avoiding that one problem. Here is how.
Tile that absorbs water is the tile that cracks. When that water freezes it expands, and when it thaws it moves again. Repeat that cycle through a few Lake Geneva winters and the surface flakes, chips or splits. The fix is not a thicker tile. It is a tile that absorbs almost no water in the first place.
For most outdoor projects in our climate, porcelain is the right answer. Look for tile that is labeled for exterior use and frost resistant, with very low water absorption. The industry term is impervious, which means 0.5 percent absorption or less. Not every porcelain tile is made for outdoors, so ask before you buy. Some interior tile looks identical and will not survive a winter outside.
Be more careful with natural stone and with cement tile. Some stones handle freezing weather well and others do not, and cement tile is porous by nature. We are happy to walk through which options are appropriate for exterior use and which are better kept indoors.
Outdoor tile gets wet from rain, sprinklers, pool splash and melting snow. Choose a textured or matte finish, and ask for the tile's slip-resistance rating (DCOF). For steps, pool surrounds and outdoor showers, go for the most grip you can find. A glossy tile that looks great in a bathroom can be dangerous on a wet patio.
Dark tile soaks up sun and can get hot enough to be uncomfortable on bare feet, which matters near a lake or a pool. Lighter and mid-tone colors stay cooler. If your patio gets full sun, test samples outside in the afternoon before you decide.
There are two common ways to build a tile patio. Thicker porcelain pavers can be set on gravel, sand or pedestals, which lets water drain through. Thinner porcelain tile is bonded to a concrete slab, which works well but depends on a sound slab. Each has strengths, and the right choice depends on your yard, your drainage and how the space will be used.
Outdoor tile fails more often from installation than from the tile itself. Good outdoor installations usually share a few traits:
Ask your installer to explain each of these. It is a quick way to tell an experienced crew from a hopeful one.
How you clear snow matters. Use a plastic shovel, not a metal one, and ask which de-icers are safe for your tile and grout. Rock salt can damage some stone and some grout over time.
Patios and porches, outdoor kitchens, fire pit surrounds, steps and entry landings, pool decks and outdoor showers all do well with the right tile. Lake homes in particular benefit from a durable, good-looking surface that handles water and weather year after year.
Ready to plan your outdoor space? Book a free design consultation at our Lake Geneva showroom, 201 Geneva National Avenue South, or call (262) 348-1600. Schedule your free consultation. For ideas, see our exterior tile gallery.
Make a free appointment to talk about your project, either in store or with a remote consultation, anytime.
