Outdoor Tiles

What makes a tile right for outdoors

Outdoors, tiles face rain, sun, leaves and bare feet, so grip matters more than anywhere else. Look at four things:

• Slip rating: P4 or P5 for uncovered areas, ramps and pool surrounds. P3 can suit a covered alfresco that stays dry.
• Finish: external, grip and matt finishes have a textured surface that stays safer when wet.
• Material: porcelain absorbs very little water and needs no sealing. Natural stone such as limestone, travertine and marble looks wonderful outside but must be sealed.
• Thickness: standard tiles are glued to a concrete slab. 20 mm porcelain pavers, such as the Andes Outdoor 20mm Paver and Tufa X-Cut Paver 600 x 600 x 20 mm, are thicker and stronger, and can also be laid on a compacted base or pedestals.

Shop outdoor tiles by area

• Patio tiles for alfresco dining and entertaining.
• Balcony tiles for apartments and upper-level terraces.
• Path tiles for garden walkways, side paths and steps.
• Driveway tiles for heavy-duty paving, cobbles and crazy pave.
• Pool tiles for inside the pool, plus pavers and pool coping for the surround.

Outdoor looks

Travertine looks suit Sydney's light and hide dust well. Try Marvel Travertine Look in vein cut and cross cut, Precious Travertine Indoor + Outdoor, and Builders Range Bravo Travertine and Silver Travertine Look. For something more architectural, look at Colorado Slate Stone Look, Alps or the Loft Series. Barro Terracotta Look brings Mediterranean warmth, and Concord French Pattern gives the look of a laid stone pattern in modular porcelain. Italian ranges such as Marvel Diva Taj Mahal 600 x 1200 mm and Boost Icor add a high-end finish, and Leyla glass mosaics line the pool itself.

Matching inside and out

The neatest outdoor areas continue the indoor floor. Some ranges, such as Precious Travertine Indoor + Outdoor, are made to be used on both sides of the door. Keep the tile size and laying direction the same across the threshold. For more grip options, browse anti-slip tiles, or book a free design consultation to plan the whole space.