Outdoor tile? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Zeraph · 04-05-2009, 09:44 AM

Looking for something cheap, and something a non- professional can install for my concrete porch. I've tried painting it, but that chips pretty quick and looks worse than plain, I've tried outdoor rugs, but those get dirty too easily and just look gross. Is there some cheap type of tile or something that I could lay down and that would last longer than a few years?

braisler · 04-05-2009, 09:58 AM

Saltilo tile or any kind of natural stone (rough hewn) would do well outdoors. If this is DIY, you need the same skills you'd need for indoor tiling. Tiling is really pretty easy to learn. You just need to have or rent the correct tools and have a go. The positive of working outdoors is that the level of finish that you are going for is not usually as perfect as indoor.

As far as your paint flaking away, you likely just didn't do enough surface prep and/or you got the wrong kind of paint for the project. Outdoor paint for a floor, I'm assuming concrete, you'd want to go with an epoxy paint product.

dlish · 04-05-2009, 10:16 AM

if you were going to use a paint, you will need to acid etch the concrete and then re-paint with an epoxy paint.

if you were going to tile, i would firstly acid etch the paint off making sure none was left. then i'd waterproof the floor (if necessary), then depending on the floor gradient either put a cementitious screed down, or put your tile straight on top.

as for type of tiles, definately a non slop tile.

how big is the area you want to tile?

Willravel · 04-05-2009, 10:26 AM

The last place I worked at had painted concrete, I couldn't stand it.

The first time I put down tile, I had a friend with me that had done it before just to pass on little tricks and hints that weren't intuitive. It was quite helpful.

Psycho Dad · 04-05-2009, 10:50 AM

There are stains for concrete as well that are quite nice IMHO. However as with paint, the prep work is important.

Wrexify · 04-09-2009, 06:28 AM

I can't find a good link at the moment, but you can buy tiles made of recycled rubber that are cheap and super-durable. I guess it's the same kind of material you'd find on any playground or track built in the last ~5 years. You can basically just throw them down and they lock together.

Definitely not as nice looking as the other suggestions, but it's cheap and easy.

thingstodo · 04-20-2009, 04:18 PM

If you prepare the surface, use a good adhesive and seal the joints it should last for years. Most tile stores will help you with any questions and tips and they'll make sure you have all your supplies. They often have sale ro discontinued tiles you get get pretty cheap. You might even think about a border of something different. Use you imagination!

The biggest thing is having a wet saw to make your cuts. Other than that is it pretty easy on everything but your knees!!

04-05-2009, 09:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	Outdoor tile? Looking for something cheap, and something a non- professional can install for my concrete porch. I've tried painting it, but that chips pretty quick and looks worse than plain, I've tried outdoor rugs, but those get dirty too easily and just look gross. Is there some cheap type of tile or something that I could lay down and that would last longer than a few years?

04-05-2009, 09:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY	Saltilo tile or any kind of natural stone (rough hewn) would do well outdoors. If this is DIY, you need the same skills you'd need for indoor tiling. Tiling is really pretty easy to learn. You just need to have or rent the correct tools and have a go. The positive of working outdoors is that the level of finish that you are going for is not usually as perfect as indoor. As far as your paint flaking away, you likely just didn't do enough surface prep and/or you got the wrong kind of paint for the project. Outdoor paint for a floor, I'm assuming concrete, you'd want to go with an epoxy paint product. __________________ --- You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. - Albert Einstein ---

04-05-2009, 10:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
dlish Currently sour but formerly Dlishs Super Moderator Location: Australia/UAE	if you were going to use a paint, you will need to acid etch the concrete and then re-paint with an epoxy paint. if you were going to tile, i would firstly acid etch the paint off making sure none was left. then i'd waterproof the floor (if necessary), then depending on the floor gradient either put a cementitious screed down, or put your tile straight on top. as for type of tiles, definately a non slop tile. how big is the area you want to tile? __________________ An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay? - Filthy

04-05-2009, 10:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
Psycho Dad Mulletproof Location: Some nucking fut house.	There are stains for concrete as well that are quite nice IMHO. However as with paint, the prep work is important. __________________ Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

04-09-2009, 06:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Wrexify Crazy Location: Kramerica	I can't find a good link at the moment, but you can buy tiles made of recycled rubber that are cheap and super-durable. I guess it's the same kind of material you'd find on any playground or track built in the last ~5 years. You can basically just throw them down and they lock together. Definitely not as nice looking as the other suggestions, but it's cheap and easy. __________________ "Nitwit! Oddment! Blubber! Tweak!"

04-05-2009, 10:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	The last place I worked at had painted concrete, I couldn't stand it. The first time I put down tile, I had a friend with me that had done it before just to pass on little tricks and hints that weren't intuitive. It was quite helpful.

04-20-2009, 04:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	If you prepare the surface, use a good adhesive and seal the joints it should last for years. Most tile stores will help you with any questions and tips and they'll make sure you have all your supplies. They often have sale ro discontinued tiles you get get pretty cheap. You might even think about a border of something different. Use you imagination! The biggest thing is having a wet saw to make your cuts. Other than that is it pretty easy on everything but your knees!! __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.