Do you want to tile your patio or deck? Choosing between porcelain and ceramic is a tricky decision. Here are a few comparing tips to help you decide what’s best for you.
It is easy to mistake ceramic outdoor patio tiles for porcelain at first glance. In home centers and tile stores, you can find examples of both. Nevertheless, one’s history begins at least 5,500 years sooner than the other’s.
Ancient Egyptians used bluish glazed bricks to decorate their houses to produce the earliest ceramic tiles that we know about. Until the 15th century, porcelain tiles were used primarily in Chinese towers. Often used on outdoor surfaces such as decks and patios, ceramic and porcelain tiles are common today. This article discusses the outdoor performance of these two types of tiles.
Outdoor tiles: Porcelain vs. Ceramic
Decks and patios can both be covered with ceramic or porcelain tiles. In both cases, clay sheets are molded into thin sheets, then kiln dried to make hard, reasonably durable flooring.
Composition and manufacturing determine the differences. Clay used in porcelain tile manufacture is finer and more refined. Ceramic tiles tend to be lighter and denser than porcelain tiles because they are formed harder and pressed harder. In addition to being fired at higher temperatures, porcelain tiles are also scratch-resistant, harder, and stronger as a result.
There is less density and more porosity in ceramic tiles. For an unglazed look, they are rougher and more natural, or can be glazed for extra shine and protection. In particular, if they are unglazed, their density makes them less water and stain-resistant than porcelain tiles.
Outdoor Porcelain Tile: Pros and Cons
Pros:
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Denser than ceramic tiles, making them more durable;
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Ceramic tiles are less durable and scratch-prone;
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Liquids and water are less vulnerable to it;
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Cleaning is easier than with ceramic.
Cons:
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Some specialty tiles cost as much as $30 per square foot or more, and cost from $5 to $10 per square foot;
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A heavier, more difficult material to work with and cut than ceramic, which makes installation more challenging. Ceramic tiles must be cut with special tools, making it more difficult for DIYers to do.
Outdoor Ceramic Tile: Pros and Cons
Pros:
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Per square foot, they are less expensive than porcelain tiles;
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Tiles made of lightweight materials that are easier to cut and install;
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There is a wider variety of colors and styles to choose from.
Cons:
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Cracks more easily than porcelain tiles;
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When used outdoors where sand, gravel, and dirt will be tracked underfoot, they are less durable than porcelain;
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Water can seep through and dirt can stain them more easily.
Is Porcelain or Ceramic Tile Better for a Deck or Patio?
Porcelain tiles can last for many years if they are used on your deck or patio. You can use unglazed ceramic tiles on your patio if you prefer a more natural look and want to minimize costs. Choose glazed ceramics for a bright and eye-catching patio or deck if you want more color and design options.
Note: Installation considerations
Whether you opt for ceramic or porcelain tiles, make sure the surface you intend to tile is intact. In order for your sub-floor not to flex when people walk on it, you will need to lay down a tile uncoupling membrane prior to laying down thinset mortar and tiles.
It is also important to ensure that the surface underneath the tile does not expand or contract too much. Tiled surfaces are not very tolerant of movement, even with an uncoupling membrane. Tiled decks and patios can crack due to subfloor flexing or expansion and contraction. Because of this, you’ll need joists that are at least 3/4-inch wide and beefy if you’re tiling a deck. Topped with pressure-treated plywood. There is no substitute for two layers.
You should pour the concrete pad thick enough to prevent cracking as the ground shifts underneath it when tiling a patio. Reinforce it with rebar and make it at least five inches thick.
