MANOJa

Tiles are a popular flooring material both indoors and outdoors. They are easy to care for, durable and are considered appropriate for areas having high foot fall. Tiles are also very flexible design-wise, as they are available in virtually limitless combination of colours, styles, textures, shapes, and patterns.

With the constant change in trends, outdoor flooring has become even more popular and nowadays, tiles are considered to be the best option for outdoor flooring. Outdoor tiles can be used to create a seamless flow from indoors to outdoors or even to create a feature in itself.

Laying ceramic tiles outdoors can give your home a warm, inviting and appealing feel as it also blends well with the style of your home. However, before deciding on the tile patio it is important to select the right kind of tile. In outdoor areas, non-porous and stain resistant tiles are recommended to a very large extent. It is also very important that the tile has a non-slip surface for safety reasons.

The major tiles used in outdoor applications are:

Ceramic Tiles: This outdoor tile is most often used as a paving material because of its unique appearance. Available in many colors, textures, patterns and sizes, it's not surprising that ceramic tiles are a popular choice for outdoor use.

Porcelain Tiles: Flooring tiles made of porcelain are denser than ceramic tiles. This quality makes them less moisture absorbent, and a good option for outdoor use in climates with frost and cold weather. Porcelain tiles with at least a PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating of 5 are scratch- and abrasion-resistant and are a good option for outdoor use. Good quality porcelain tiles are saltwater- and chlorine-safe and are resistant to losing colour over time.

Stone Tiles: Stone tile is a popular high-end outdoor paving option. The most common outdoor stone tiles are slate, travertine and sandstone. These tiles provide a beautiful finish with rich colors that enhances your yard or garden. It is a good idea to have an outdoor ceramic tile patio sealed after installation to protect it from weather and stains.

The latest offerings available to completely transform your outdoor space are the full body glazed vitrified tiles and the natural finish tiles.

Full body glazed vitrified: This tile not only has durability of full body vitrified tiles but also comes with VC shield technology which makes them the most durable tiles. In addition to the inherent toughness, these tiles offer the best designs and textures like rustic, wooden and marble. They are considered a very good option for outdoors as they prevent wear and tear, scratches and abrasion. Duragres, the glazed vitrified tiles are available in the size of 605 × 605 mm with plethora of designs and shades; you can choose the one which fits best to your desired space. They are now available in digital prints too.

Natural Finish Tiles: The natural finish tiles are the trend to look out for this season. These tiles add instant glamour and panache to any space. Marble finishes have been a long favourite for floor cover but have recently reinvented the trend with Italian marble finishes with digital printing technology. Even wood and stone finishes have been created using this technique.

They are available in sizes 496×496mm, 600×600mm and 605×605mm and prices range from Rs 600 per square metre to Rs 1,300 per square metre and come in several options to suit all kinds of requirements.









A tiled way to keeping outdoors natural and trendy - Indian Express

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