Using a 10mm porcelain tile outside

Can you use a 10mm porcelain tile outside? Yes, you certainly can but there some key considerations to ensure these tiles are suitable and will stand the test of time. In this blog we explore the growing trend for using porcelain tiles externally, the benefits of porcelain and some important factors if opting specifically for a 10mm porcelain tile outside.

Transform your outside space

Porcelain outside tiles are transforming patio and outside spaces creating beautiful places in which we can dine, entertain and relax. This is about creating a crisp canvas externally with the same look and feel as an inside room and with the growth of luxury patio furniture, patio heaters and all things weatherproof, more and more of us are investing in our outside spaces adding additional area and value to our homes.

Where slates and limestones were once the preserve of patios these tiles tend to create a more rustic look and feel whereas porcelain brings sleek lines and an architectural look and feel.

This is enhanced with rectified porcelain tiles ie tiles with straight edges. These tiles add to this sense of crisp design because grout lines are super slim. Add to this the fact you can closely match grout to tile colour and suddenly you can create a near seamless canvas upon which to build your dream garden space.

Plus, with porcelain tiles that can work both inside and outside the home you can now run the same co-ordinated flooring from inside to outside spaces connecting home and garden, creating a flow across these spaces and taking the inside out.

Porcelain is frost proof, fade resistant, scratch and stain resistant

Porcelain is perfectly suited to outdoor applications. It is made from a mix of highly refined clays and minerals. Tiles are fired at extremely high temperatures and this mix of material and heat is what gives porcelain it’s highly durable properties.

To be called porcelain, a tile has to have less than 0.5% porosity. This means porcelain is highly water resistant. This makes porcelain tiles frost resistant (unlike ceramic tiles). With the exception of a very dank, dark corner of the garden that lacks any sunlight, porcelain also naturally inhibits the growth of mould and moss on the tile surface, and this makes them very suitable for outside spaces.

Porcelain tiles are highly scratch and stain resistant too so perfect for outdoor dining and kitchen spaces and they are fade resistant so come rain or shine – or even frost – this material is very stable.

Porcelain tiles and design

The real beauty of porcelain is that tiles are designed to mimic other materials such as metals, concretes, cements, marbles, stones and woods. High quality porcelain tiles do this exceptionally well particularly as advances in tile technology and techniques have allowed for tiles that are more and more realistic in the materials they echo.

Porcelain is an exceptionally hardwearing material so with a porcelain tile you have great design coupled with exceptional performance – and very often none of the drawbacks of the real material. For example, natural wood can warp or bend with moisture, real marble is soft and can mark and scratch easily, natural stone may require regular sealing and ongoing maintenance. Porcelain is scratch and stain resistant and doesn’t need any regular maintenance.

In addition, porcelain is one of the only materials that can be used both inside and outside.

The advances in sliding door systems have opened up space like never before and allowed us to connect inside and outside spaces with ease and the flooring you choose can enhance this look and feel and this is where porcelain really comes into its own. So, let’s look further at the using a 10mm porcelain outside.

Outdoor porcelain tiles and thickness

Outdoor porcelain tiles are available in various thicknesses. A 20mm tile is generally the go-to thickness option for external areas however, thinner porcelains eg 9mm or 10mm can make a cost-effective option. This is because a thinner porcelain is easier to handle and cut on site than a 20mm format tile.

Where to use a 10mm porcelain tile outside

Thinner porcelain tiles are best suited to spaces with light to moderate use so residential patios. If you are looking for tile to take heavier traffic, then a 20mm tile may be more suitable. Or for even heavier traffic eg parking cars etc even a 30mm or thicker tile may be better. There are also some instances where only a 10mm porcelain tile outside will do because of thresholds for example.

Installation tips for 10mm porcelain tiles outside

10mm porcelain tiles must be laid on a full cured concrete bed that is solid, stable and properly levelled. Good preparation is key to longevity. It is really important that tiles are professionally installed and are fully supported in a full bed of adhesive. This is critical because voids under the tiles can allow water to seep in and freeze or if something heavy is dropped there is a risk of cracking the tile (the latter point is the same for inside tiles). Using the correct installation products is critical to longevity and durability for the future so using a high-quality adhesive along with a suitable grout for external areas is key. It’s also important to allow for adequate drainage ensuring surfaces have a slight slope to ensure water can run off and doesn’t pool on the tiles themselves.

The same applies to a 20mm porcelain ideally. Again, it is preferable to install onto a concrete bed however, with a 20mm tile you can install onto compacted hardcore with suitable adhesives. Our winters can lead to frosts, so a slab is the preferred option and in either case ie 10mm or 20mm use a suitable cement-based adhesive.

If you opt for 10mm porcelain tiles outside note they are not suitable for use with pedestals and unlike 20mm outdoor tiles they are not suitable for creating stepping stones or pathways because they cannot be laid directly onto grass or gravel. Our tips are by no means exhaustive, if you want more information on installation of 10mm porcelains outside then please get in touch! We work with both Mapei and BAL adhesives and can organise a specification specifically for your project.

Slip Resistance for outside porcelain tiles

Porcelain tiles are slip rated. A slip rating can help you determine the most suitable tiles for your project, and this is important for outside tiles in particular. The Ramp test is one method of determining the slip resistance of a tile and is based on tests with shoes on. An outside tile has a higher rating than an internal tile so you should be looking for a tile with an R11 or R12 rating.

There are also tests with bare feet for around a pool for example, and in this case the rating is based on letters ie A, B, C with C being the highest rating. So, the ideal outside tile would have a slip rating of R11 A+B+C or above and be antislip. For more information on slip ratings click here.

Alternatively, if you prefer a higher grip rating, then our Metro collection features an antislip R12 A+B+C rated tile for outside with an R10 A+B Soft finish tile for inside.

Our clever all-in-one tiles can be used inside and outside. These tiles have an R11 A+B+C rating in a soft antislip finish so the same tile can be used for the patio and across the home!

Cleaning 10mm porcelain tiles outside

Keeping your outside tiles clean is fairly easy. Porcelain requires minimal upkeep and a sweep with a brush to remove loose debris initially may even be sufficient. Or use a wet brush with water to give tiles a good clean if you prefer. There are products specifically for cleaning external porcelain and it is important to ensure that tiles are properly cleaned down after the initial installation to remove any excess grout etc. With any porcelain tiles, a poor initial clean can lead to future issues and can adversely affect the slip rating of tiles.

For more information on care and maintenance click here.

Conclusion

10mm external porcelain tiles can be a great choice for a residential patio when installed properly. Because they are lighter than their 20mm counterparts they are easier to handle, easier to cut and install than a thicker tile and this can make them more cost-effective. However, they must be installed onto a fully cured concrete bed with the appropriate adhesives for durability. Click any of the images above to view our All in One 10mm external porcelains click here or 10mm and 20mm external porcelains click here.

Example gallery

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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.

Using a 10mm porcelain tile outside