Enhancing Your Indoor-Outdoor Flow - Choosing the Right Outdoor Tiles for Your S

In the heart of every Kiwi home, there's a deep appreciation for the great outdoors which is reflected in the way we design and utilise spaces.

In recent years, there has been a major shift to tiling outdoor areas with porcelain tile or porcelain pavers and a desire to create a more seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Matching tiles from a lounge or bedroom to adjacent exterior areas looks incredible! Aside from that, the perception of size increases as does the assumption of a home’s high quality. Tiles ooze luxury which is synonymous with European style, design, and trends. Countries such as Italy and Spain are renowned for setting fashion trends and by default this encompasses interior design.

As Kiwi’s continue to embrace their passion for outdoor living, the choice of outdoor ‘surfaces’ becomes a key decision. Whether opting for robust 20mm porcelain pavers or the safety-focused 10mm outdoor grip tiles, the goal is to create a harmonious indoor-outdoor flow that complements your lifestyle. The end-goal being to elevate your outdoor living experience, embrace the beauty of your surroundings, and make the most of your home's connection to nature.

What tiles are best for outdoors?

All outdoor tiles must meet certain basic requirements: they must be waterproof, anti-slip, frost-proof plus be resistant to loads, weather conditions, temperature changes, mould, and stains.

Why Porcelain Paver tiles?

Porcelain combines indisputable aesthetics with outstanding technical performance and a break-free lifecycle. They are resistant to frost, temperature changes, mould, stains, and salt. They are also highly anti-slip, easy to clean and its materials and colours stay unvaried over time. The outcome is a product that is suitable for many applications and that can be laid both dry (on grass, gravel, and on pro-jacks). Furthermore, high tensile strength makes porcelain pavers suitable for vehicle transit when adhered on to a screed.

View the Tile Warehouse Porcelain Paver ranges…download our newly launched brochure here >>>

What is the difference between an outdoor and indoor tile?

Though durable, indoor tiles are not made to handle situations such as frost and harsh weather and they are usually around 10mm in thickness. Whereas outdoor pavers, 20mm in depth, have the ability to handle exterior conditions and have a texture on their surface that resists slips. They are also designed to be installed onto compacted soil, sand or grass, without the cost of concrete.

Should your outdoor and indoor tiles match?

Choosing your indoor flooring to match that of the outside area will visually expand your home and allow you to create a truly open living space that will capture the natural freedom of the outdoors.

Many of our 20mm Porcelain Paver ranges also come in 10mm for indoor use. The 20mm twins for outdoors are durable and water-resistant.

How thick should your outdoor tile be?

The Tile Warehouse outdoor Porcelain Pavers are 20mm thick and are designed and manufactured, specifically with exterior use in mind. Because they are twice as thick as standard porcelain tile, breaking strength and impact resistance is increased. 

20mm Porcelain Pavers are twice the thickness of most tiles and have all the benefits of a regular porcelain tile. They are the ideal paving solution in that they will not stain, fade, and require no treatment. They are also easy to install. Porcelain pavers and slabs can be laid dry on sand, grass, or gravel or they can be laid on concrete with adhesive, as you would a traditional porcelain tile.

Another alternative is to lay them using adjustable, raised supports such as our Pro-Jack supports with open joints allowing for drainage and providing a level tiled area out from doors to exterior living areas. Porcelain pavers tend to be more interesting in design compared to traditional pavers, and they often complement a 10mm porcelain range. This way they can be used both inside and outside creating internal, external flow.

Tiles for the Indoors and Out
In choosing flooring finishes, functionality is very important. The majority of people choose based on colours, patterns, textures etc. However tiles should also be chosen depending on the application area. 

With no sealing requirements, low levels of maintenance and high slip resistance, Tile Warehouse Porcelain Pavers are the ideal solution for use in both public and private outdoor areas. They are also low maintenance - there is no need to oil or stain tiles and they do not warp, splinter, crack or decay. In today’s busy lifestyle, it is no surprise that this is time-saving, eco-friendly outdoor option for patios, pool surrounds and decking is gaining traction in the New Zealand building industry.

For our full range of Exterior tiles, CLICK HERE >>>

For our 20mm Pavers, CLICK HERE >>>

PORCELAIN PAVERS QUICK-FACTS:

• Match exterior tiles for indoor-outdoor flow
• Slip-resistant
• Wear-resistant
• Frost-resistant
• Colours do not fade
• Resistant to stains/spills
• Impervious/Mould resistant
• Allows water drainage.
• Huge range of options
• Highly resistant to heavy loads
• Quick & easy to install
• Removable

NB: Our Porcelain Pavers are available in 600x600x20mm. Other sizes may be available in 450x900, 600x1200mm. Also many have matching 10mm for indoors to create flow in your home.

Two standout choices for achieving this are 20mm porcelain pavers and 10mm outdoor grip tiles. Both options contribute to the aesthetic appeal and functionality of outdoor living spaces.

20mm High Porcelain Pavers

20mm porcelain pavers not only offer a robust exterior flooring solution but also seamlessly integrate indoors and out. They are resistant to frost, temperature changes, mould, stains, and salt. They are also highly anti-slip, easy to clean and colours stay unvaried over time. 20mm pavers are suitable for many applications and can be laid on grass, gravel, and on Pro-Jacks. Furthermore, high tensile strength makes porcelain pavers suitable for vehicle transit when adhered on to a screed.

What are Pro-Jacks?

Pro-Jacks are a pedestal support system for indoor and outdoor raised floors. They lend themselves to our 20mm porcelain paver installation and allow height adjustment from a minimum of 35mm to a maximum of 500mm. This makes it very easy to match the exterior paving height with your internal flooring.

Appreciate the low-maintenance aspect of porcelain pavers and spend more time enjoying your outdoor space and less time worrying about upkeep! View our range here!

10mm Outdoor Grip Tiles

The alternative, a 10mm thickness in tile, ensures easy installation, facilitating a smooth transition from indoor to outdoor spaces as many of our indoor ranges have matching grip options. Making it super simple to create flow that enhances the overall visual appeal of your home.

New Zealand's diverse climate, which can bring rain and humidity, also makes slip-resistant 10mm outdoor grip tiles an excellent choice. These tiles are thinner than our paver option but this does not compromise durability or safety. Our Grip tiles are frost and stain-resistant whilst their slip-resistant finish makes these tiles perfect for outdoor use, especially around pools and outdoor entertaining areas. Enjoy your outdoor space without compromising on aesthetics or well-being.

Alfresco Dining and Entertaining: Kiwis love to dine and entertain outdoors! Consider tiles that can withstand the wear and tear of frequent gatherings while maintaining their aesthetic appeal.