Indoor outdoor flooring has revolutionised the way we approach the design of our homes and garden and how we think about the connection of these spaces. The development of sliding and bi-fold door systems with minimal thresholds allows the seamless connection of inside and outside spaces and one element enhances this connection like no other – the flooring we choose.
Porcelain tiles are one of the only materials that can be used both inside and outside the home whilst also offering brilliant durability. Porcelain tiles are frost and fade resistant and that makes them an ideal flooring material for external areas. Add to that superior scratch and stain resistance and this is a product that is also perfect for busy interior spaces. Advances in porcelain tile design mean you can now use the same look porcelain tile across both inside and outside spaces with a thinner tile for internal areas and a thicker 2cm tile for outside areas. Both tiles are specifically designed to look the same but both perform differently as we will discover.
Flooring is an integral element of interior design. As one of the largest surface areas of any space, flooring needs to be both beautiful and practical. Material, tone, texture, format – they all impact the overall look and feel of a space. The real beauty of porcelain is its ability to mimic other materials and the leading manufacturers of porcelain tiles are doing this to exceptional standards reinterpreting everything from marbles, metals, stones, concretes, cements, slate, quartz and more. Porcelain tiles combine all the beauty of these materials with all the practicality needed for busy homes and gardens.
Whilst many materials can be used internally for floors, not all these materials eg carpet or LVT for instance can be used outside. This means you need one option for internal floor areas and to choose a different material for external areas. With minimal thresholds and large glazed sliding door systems helping to seamlessly connect our home with our garden, using the same flooring across both spaces creates a flow and continuity to spaces. The latest trends have seen a rise in the move to connect lounge to lawn and ideally do this seamlessly. Outdoor areas have become more than just a patio, they are now designed places in which we can relax, dine, entertain and even cook and the flooring for these areas is flush, architectural and pristine, just like an internal room.
Porcelain indoor outdoor flooring is specifically designed so that both the internal and external tile look the same. Thinner tiles, for example 9mm thickness, are used for the inside flooring usually in a matt or a natural finish. A co-ordinating tile in the same style and colour is then used outside in 2cm thickness with an anti-slip finish. The tiles look the same and co-ordinate beautifully.
As we have already seen, porcelain performs to high standards. This material is incredibly robust and has superior scratch and stain resistance. Porcelain tiles really are the go-to for those who don’t want a floor that requires ongoing maintenance – porcelain tiles don’t require any sealing – they are very easy to look after and a mop and warm water will usually do the trick when it comes to cleaning. Their scratch resistant is also great for those of us with pets! Porcelain tiles are also ideal for busy kitchens and dining areas because their high resistance to staining makes them very practical – and that is not just for indoor kitchen and dining areas, the same can be said for outdoor dining spaces too.
The list of porcelain tile attributes is long and in addition to those mentioned porcelain won’t wear in well-trodden areas and inhibits the growth of mould and moss on the surface. In addition, fade resistance means your tiles will maintain their look even in that bright, sunny spot. So come rain, sleet, frost or shine, porcelain is an incredibly stable material.
There are a few things to focus on when picking tiles to work across both internal and external spaces.
Size and format of tile
Most tile collections house a number of different tile sizes from smaller to larger formats. Size of tile can really impact the overall look and feel of a space with smaller sizes eg 60 x 60cm showing more grout lines which can make spaces, particularly large open plan rooms, feel busier.
Larger formats are designed for minimal grout lines and this helps bring a more cohesive and serene feel to the design with tile sizes including 80 x 80cm, 90 x 90cm and 1m x 1m or even larger falling into this category. Of course, not all tiles are square. Rectangular formats including 90 x 60cm or 120 x 60cm can look stunning and can add interest to spaces too with different layouts – these tiles can be stacked or offset.
Many porcelain tiles are rectified, that means they have straight edges and that means that grout is at a minimum of 3mm for floors. So, with larger tiles not only do you have less grout lines, those grout lines are also super slim. Opting for a grout colour that blends with your tile will also help make your flooring feel seamless.
Tile style and finish
For outside tiles the go-to finish is Antislip with an R11 A+B+C rating. The latest tiles have antislip finishes that also cleverly compliment the tile design. Micro cement effect porcelain tiles like our Toast collection, feature an antislip texture that is super fine and in keeping with the modern and contemporary look and feel of micro cement. Whereas our Joy stone look tile collection has a more rugged appearance and a rougher texture whilst still adhering to the R11 A+B+C slip rating.
For inside tiles the finish may vary with matt, natural and soft finishes in a variety of ratings eg R9 or R10 for example – or even R11 with our Soft Antislip tiles.
Our extensive collection of indoor outdoor flooring has been hand-picked by us to bring you the very latest beautiful designs and exceptional choice. With a variety of sizes and designs, you will find tiles that are contemporary as well as more traditional in style. Scroll down to see some examples of our beautiful collections and start your journey to new indoor outdoor flooring with The TilePortfolio.
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The TilePortfolio specialise in Italian and Spanish Porcelain and Ceramic tiles, in particular large format Porcelains and Porcelain tiles for inside and outside. Our carefully curated, stunning tile portfolios are beautifully presented online and supported by our fuss-free ‘go-the-extra-tile’ service. In addition, you can view our entire tile collection at our Northamptonshire Showroom. Visit our website for unmissable interiors inspiration. The TilePortfolio team are always available to chat, we’d be delighted to help with your project so please do get in touch.
Please note: We strongly recommend using a professional tiler for your project. Installation requirements may vary depending on the tiles you choose, the fixing products used and the specific conditions. Always check with your tiler regards the suitability of the tiles. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
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