Outdoor living : when design meets functionality
What do you need to know when you plan to design and remodel your backyard
The outdoor patio or a nice spacious terrace can definitely add great value to your home.
Never as today it is so vital to create a modern and well-furnished outdoor area in our homes to enjoy the warm and sunny days with family and friends.
Building or remodeling a patio or backyard or even a front driveway may be really challenging, but for sure what we need is an outdoor area that stands out from our neighbor’s outdoor space.
Outdoor living is as important as the interior living and choosing the right design and the right product requires a lot of attention. Don’t you love all those beautiful pictures posted on Pinterest or Instagram of brand new patios and backyards? What are you missing to reach that look? What decisions need to be taken?
It is crucial to always consider the different environmental circumstances that these outdoor spaces will have to deal with on a daily basis and that will inevitably require specific technical features of the materials used for the outdoor floor covering . Last but not least it is highly recommended to design the space in one cohesive sprint where each element perfectly complements the others in a fluent language.
As we have already explored in our previous chapters, porcelain stoneware certainly offers the perfect technical characteristics in terms of water absorption and wear off, that make it the perfect material for any floor and wall covering solution.
However, as far as outdoor floors are concerned, there are several additional considerations that need to be evaluated in advance.
We can summarize this topic in two main and essential points to be considered when choosing your outdoor flooring tiles.
- The slipperiness of the floor and its resistance to atmospheric conditions:
Outdoor tiles must be able to respond, in terms of durability, to the continuous effect of atmospheric agents such as temperature changes, rain and snow, which could easily reduce the life cycle of the materials used.
Closely related to this issue is the slipperiness of the walkable surface, which has always been the main topic of various worldwide regulations, as for example DCOF which is the latest American slip test method specified in ANSI A326.3 or the specific European DIN 51130 – “R” the method that simulates the feet shod walk to measure the grip of tile surface and DIN 51097 – “A+B+C” the slip resistance test method that establishes porcelain tiles’ compliance with the requirements for the installation in wet areas where people walk around barefoot.
All of these directives must be met to ensure the health and safety of the end user at all times.
– The thickness of the tiles:
The world of porcelain stoneware offers nowadays an infinite variety of solutions:
to satisfy any request with the most faithful reproductions of natural stones, woods and concrete effects. As far as floors solutions for outdoor are the main concern, the porcelain stoneware tiles also offer a high variety in terms of different thicknesses: from the classic 10mm for indoor usage, which comes with a special Anti-slip or Grip finishes, up to the 20mm options, specifically designed for outdoor flooring and pavers.
The main distinction between these two product categories lies in the different laying solutions that they offer to the installer and the end user.
Below, we will try to illustrate how these two different types of tiles can satisfy the most varied needs in terms of laying, based on different scenarios and application fields.
– 10mm Grip Finish Tiles:
This traditional 10mm thick porcelain tile follows a specific production process which contributes to enhance its surface anti-slip characteristics, which precisely define its destination use.
Through the application of special and resistant mineral grits during firing (Corundum), the surface of the tile will result in structured and in relief rough and opaque, making it very similar to natural stone to the touch, thus ensuring a less slippery ideal for outdoor applications.
Despite their application in outdoor environments, the laying process of these tiles will be exactly the same as indoors laying over a mortar. It is therefore necessary to carefully level the area where tiles will be installed and a classic screed, composed by sand and gravel with a cement base, is the best choice. Once the screed has been prepared, a layer of glue is spread which will fix the tiles to the surface, and final steps will be then grout and cleaned with water.
– 20mm Options:
The versatility of these 2cm thickness tiles allows us to satisfy the most varied needs in terms of laying in outdoor environments. In addition to the classic laying on screed with the application of glue, there are several solutions which can be covered:
o DRY LAYING ON A SOFT BASE:
Ideal for laying on outdoor surfaces characterized by a sandy or earthy mantle as can be a garden or an outdoor gazebo. It will only be necessary to recreate a well-leveled bottom composed of gravel or sand, on which the tiles can be placed without the use of any adhesive material;
o OVERHEAD LAYING:
This particular laying solution provides the application of the tiles on special supports, fixed or adjustable, able to recreate a “floating” flooring very flexible and with a strong aesthetic impact.
Suitable for large and regular outdoor surfaces, the raised installation has many advantages:
– perfect continuity between the tiles thanks to the minimal joint required through the use of supports, which allows efficient water drainage;
– the cavity that is created between the tile and the substrate ensures the recirculation of air necessary to combat humidity and the formation of mold;
– At the same time, its practicality allows the maintenance of the floor and the underlying systems (e.g. pipes) in a quick and easy way.
And now, are you ready to give your garden the modern, and contemporary look you’ve always dreamed? Stay tuned and keep following us in our next chapters, with more tips and guides to discover the many advantages of the world of porcelain stoneware.
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