During the past few years, outdoor tiles have experienced a significant increase in popularity, and this trend shows no signs of abating. You should read this article if you’re considering installing some of these 20mm thick porcelain beauties in your exteriors. We’ll give you five useful tips for installing outdoor tiles that will make your project go more smoothly.
First and foremost, safety must be prioritized
Porcelain outdoor tiles for the outdoors can be extremely heavy, so it is essential that you have someone to assist you with lifting, moving, and laying them. Working with a friend or family member to lift and maneuver these monstrous outdoor tiles into position is recommended if you’re doing the installation yourself rather than hiring a professional. Your back muscles will be grateful to you for it!
Understand Your Sub-Base
It is possible to lay outdoor tiles on a variety of different sub-bases. You’ll need to decide which sub-base you want to use because it will determine what materials, adhesives, and other supplies you’ll need to finish the job. Whereas in days gone by, the only really effective way to install outdoor tiles was on a solid concrete screed, technologies have advanced and there are now other methods to choose from including laying directly onto a hardcore base using a good product. You can read about The DIY way to fix broken outdoor tiles by visiting http://lawnmastersky.com/the-diy-way-to-fix-broken-outdoor-tiles/
Check to see that you have the proper tools for the job
Outdoor porcelain tiles may be particularly tough to cut if you don’t have the necessary cutting equipment. When you use the wrong equipment, a simple cut can quickly turn into a nightmare situation. It’s a good idea to make a list of everything you’ll need before you begin.
Obtain the Appropriate Materials
Tile adhesive and grout for use outdoors are among the specialty materials available for use when tiling outdoors. See what is appropriate for the job and make sure you are using the best materials available for the situation. Using the incorrect materials will result in a reduction in the overall quality and integrity of your installation.
Make a plan for your design
Prior to putting down your outdoor tiles, you should take the time to accurately measure and dry lay them. This is especially important when it comes to installing porcelain outdoor tiles outside. The larger the tile, the more difficult it is to retrieve once it has been laid if you realize you’ve made a sloppy mistake. Don’t get caught and spend time planning and dry laying – ensuring cuts at either end of the wall or floor are equal and make compromises for tricky cuts such as drainpipes, etc.
The Five Most Important Rules to Follow When Tiling Your Outdoor Space
Generally speaking, installing outdoor tiles outside is very similar to installing tiles inside a home or office. That being said, there are some crucial variables to take into consideration and to keep in mind during the procedure for the simple reason that outdoor tiles are subjected to slightly different circumstances than those on the interior. Nonetheless, each and every one of the incredible advantages of high-quality outdoor tiles can and should be taken advantage of in as many outdoor living spaces as possible – this is one investment you will simply never be sorry for making.
Here’s a short look at the five most crucial guidelines to follow when it comes to outdoor tiling:
1 – The Right Tiles
First and first, never take for granted appropriateness when it comes to picking the outdoor tiles themselves. There are hundreds of tiles and tile ranges on the market right now which are perfectly acceptable for outdoor usage, but at the same time there are just as many outdoor tiles made only for use inside. The difference being that outdoor tiles are typically constructed tougher, more durable and more resistant to the environment than their interior counterparts – many instances within the latter group simply would not survive outside.
2 – Check the Weather
It sounds like an obvious tip but it’s also one of the most important of all – never under any circumstances even consider going about an outdoor tiling job if there is even 1 percent chance of a sudden downpour. Admittedly, this makes it rather difficult when working with the Great British elements, but the simple fact of the matter is that bad weather could lay waste to your efforts. Of course there’s always the option of putting up a temporary shelter which will indeed work wonders, but unless you wish to do so, you need to make sure the weather is on your side.
3 – Prepare Thoroughly
With even more care and attention than you would give to an interior tiling operation, you need to prepare all surfaces exceptionally completely and guarantee they are perfectly clean and damage-free. When tiling over concrete, it’s crucial to search for any dips, fractures or unevenness which must be remedied with an appropriate subbase before you can go forward with the tiling. Don’t fall into the trap of presuming that you’ll get away with merely spreading inch upon inch of grout into the surface to remedy faults – you won’t.
4 – Proximity Checks
Try to keep in mind that depending on the materials your outdoor tiles include, exposure to direct sunshine and high temperatures may result in expansion and contraction. As such, it’s crucial to keep a constant check on just how near the outdoor tiles are to one another in order to guarantee they have at least some space for mobility and will not crack, chip or otherwise fall to bits.
5 – Seal, Cover and Wait
Last but not least, given the fact that your outside tiles will naturally be subjected to a great deal more abuse than inside tiles, you need to allow them adequate time to set firm in place. It may be recommended to apply a layer of sealer to your outdoor tiles and/or grout (depending on the materials selected) after which it is a matter of covering the area to thoroughly protect it from the weather and leaving it for as long as required until 100 percent hardened. Never give in to the urge to begin enjoying your creation before it is safe to do so – you risk destroying all of your hard work.