Why have a porcelain tile terrace?
Porcelain tile terrace
For those who want to install a beautiful and high-quality terrace floor, the question is probably what kind of terrace flooring to choose. It is encouraging that more and more alternatives to traditional wooden or plastic composite plank terrace floors are becoming available, and that there is a greater variety of choice for property owners. Different building styles require different solutions, so it’s not only architects and exterior designers who have to turn their heads, but also product manufacturers who need to come up with an authentically-designed and long-lasting outdoor terrace. They strive to bring to the market not only quality, long-lasting products, but also outdoor and patio flooring products that meet different aesthetic needs and cater for a wide range of tastes.
One such product, popular not only with designers but also with terrace owners, is porcelain tiles, which are seen as a great alternative to natural stones and terrace boards. Terrace centre MDS Terasos says that after offering Italian porcelain tiles to consumers, they soon received very positive feedback from customers. Customers were delighted with the excellent terrace designs that porcelain tiles made possible. So why should you also have porcelain tiles on your terrace floor?
A brief overview of porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles are the perfect solution when you need a coating that is impermeable to liquids, extremely durable and non-deforming. These tiles are made from natural raw materials: white clay, quartz sand and various minerals. After a complex process in which the mixture is treated at temperatures as high as 1200 ℃, it is transformed into a material that surpasses not only conventional ceramic tiles but also some natural stones in terms of performance.
In the past, outdoor porcelain tiles were much more expensive, but more recently they have become affordable for most. Porcelain tiles have therefore become increasingly popular in outdoor spaces.
Why are outdoor porcelain tiles so resilient?
Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile that is characterised by its strength, hardness and greater water resistance than conventional ceramic tiles, which are usually quite resistant. Comparing porcelain outdoor tiles with natural stone tiles shows that they are many times less porous than natural stone alternatives. Lower porosity is achieved by mixing clay with finer particles, when porcelain tiles are fired at a higher temperature to produce a stronger, much less porous surface than any natural stone outdoor tiles.
Installation of outdoor porcelain tiles
The installation process for outdoor porcelain tiles can take longer and require more care than for other types of outdoor tiles. The material itself is very hard, so it is not easy to make precise cuts without the special tools that every professional tiler has. It is worth hiring a professional craftsman to save on expensive materials, even though this will increase the overall cost of the project.
Porcelain outdoor tiles can be installed in several ways. One way is to lay tiles using pedestals. This eliminates the need to glue porcelain outdoor tiles and makes it easy to make changes as needed.
Another way is to install porcelain tiles on a conventional frame, like boards, without using mortar. This method will give the best result in terms of stability, but it is more costly.
Installation accessories
For a quality tile installation, you will need a variety of accessories: aluminium systems for the frame, adjustable support pedestals, rubber pads to ensure their stability, tile holders, wall clips, a tile lifting tool or a key to adjust the pedestals. All of these accessories are available in the specialised online shop mdsterasos.lt and in physical stores in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda.
Design options and freedom
The porcelain tile manufacturing process allows this combination of materials to mimic a variety of building materials, giving the effect of natural marble, granite, concrete, terracotta, and even real wood, which is difficult to distinguish from natural materials due to its realism. These qualities give porcelain tiles in outdoor spaces versatility, durability and design flexibility.
Impermeability to liquids
Porcelain outdoor floor tiles are one of the most durable choices for patio floors. They are hard, dense and strong. Porcelain can withstand the harshest weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. It can also be used in commercial buildings. The density of porcelain outdoor tiles makes them more resistant to liquids and stains, making them easier to maintain than other types of outdoor tiles.
Maintenance and repairs
Although outdoor porcelain tiles are highly resistant to stains, damage and soaking, they can still be damaged if they are continuously exposed to damaging factors, such as spillages of household substances such as wine and fizzy drinks, if not cleaned up immediately. Careful and prompt removal of damaging spills and periodic cleaning of outdoor porcelain tiles from precipitation build-up preserves the tiles’ long-lasting appearance.
It is advisable to first sweep away dirt on outdoor tiles with a broom and then wash it off with a strong jet of water using a garden hose or a special water jet machine. It is also very easy to disinfect the surface of porcelain tiles if needed.
Other advantages of porcelain outdoor tiles
Frost-resistant, non-freezing.
Much more resistant to cracks, scratches and splitting.
UV-resistant – does not lose its original appearance in the sun.
No special maintenance or cleaning is required and can be cleaned and scrubbed with a variety of products.
An eco-friendly solution – porcelain is a sustainable and recyclable material.
Non-slip – a safe non-slip floor covering.
Withstands high loads and temperature changes.
Replacing damaged tiles
If an accident has damaged porcelain tiles on a terrace floor or other outdoor area, it is not difficult to remove and replace them. In such cases, it is always advisable to purchase slightly more tiles than needed to solve the colour matching problem and to keep an extra box, as the shade of the next batch of the same porcelain type may be different from the previously purchased tiles.
So, are outdoor porcelain tiles the best choice for your project?
Outdoor porcelain tiles are the perfect choice for those who want a robust, durable terrace flooring that meets high aesthetic standards. The advantage is the choice of subtle colour palettes and patterns that mimic natural materials and landforms, such as wood or rock, giving a special design flexibility. Minimal maintenance and excellent technical performance guarantee the durability and practicality of your terrace floor. The result is a robust and stylish floor covering that can last for decades.
Terracotta, wood, concrete, aged metal and granite imitations, outdoor porcelain terrace tiles in various sizes, colours and shapes are available in our online shop mdsterasos.lt .