How To Choose Outdoor Pavers
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Building a porch, putting in a patio or merely re-tiling a garden path? You’ll have garden pavers on the brain - and, surprisingly, there can be a lot to wrap your head around. Finding the perfect tiles for the job means understanding the qualities your outdoor environment demands. Here are a few tips for sifting through the rubble to find something that will work for you.
Think about your climate
Warm, mild, unpredictable weather? You’re suited to most tile choices. However, extreme heat, extreme cold and extreme wet begs further consideration, since many materials are not suited to these conditions and will likely lose their colour, chip or break. This information will likely be advertised on the product or you can seek advice from the hardware or a professional.
Think about durability
What kind of weight, wear and traffic will the area be enduring? You can research tile thickness and strength by checking out the PEI durability scale, which ranks household tiles as 1 and the kind of industrial-strength tile used in public spaces and businesses as 5; your outdoor tiles should hope for a 3 or 4 rating. Although the Porcelain Enamel Institute is a north American enterprise, many tile companies will advertise their wares by publishing these ratings. Tiles can of course be made sturdier with a good glaze.
Think about your routine
The size of your tile - that is, the frequency of the grout lines - will determine how slippery the outdoor surface will be. Remember that slipperiness will increase tenfold with wet weather, so consider opting for a tile which is moderately abrasive to increase traction. And how regularly do you plan on cleaning the tiles, and would you be put off by anything requiring more than a little soap and water? Sandstone pavers, for instance, make for a very good low-maintenance, easy-to-clean patio.
Think about resistance
Water-absorption can be a huge issue for homes in the colder areas of Australia. If a tile is too porous, it will easily absorb water; and when this freezes, it will result in cracks. Selecting tiles which can handle a seasonal cycle of freezing and thawing, such as porcelain, will reduce or eliminate this problem. Naturally, this will also depend on whether your pavers are covered or beneath the open sky.
Think about price
Pavers made from natural stone - such as granite, marble, slate, limestone - are strong and good-looking but also come with a significant price tag. Concrete has a reputation for being dull, but new designs are emerging every day and they provide a cheaper alternative. Porcelain is famed for its water-resistance and wood for its look, but both may prove costly in the long-run when it comes to repairs and maintenance. Clay tiles can be quite affordable and are wonderful in warmer climates, but they are weaker than other materials and vulnerable to damage.
Think about style
Finally, don’t forget the importance of aesthetics! You may want to choose a colour or shape which matches or complements the wet rooms of your home interior. Stone and wood tend to be the favoured choices when it comes to luxury landscaping, but thanks to the versatility of processed materials like concrete, you’ll find a much wider range of dimensions and even some more interesting textures.
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