Are you ready to make over your garden space but not sure how to begin? The obvious starting point is flooring, and outdoor porcelain tiles are a practical and design-worthy solution. Many recognize porcelain tiles for their ability to withstand most weather conditions and their simple installation and low maintenance, making them the go-to for outdoor needs.
With multiple design options in stone, wood or slate effect, you’ll be able to find the right design for you. Beyond style, tiling experts will agree that there are other aspects to consider, like finish and anti-slip rating as well as installation and maintenance. Here is a quick look at our picks for the nine best outdoor porcelain tiles — sorted by style effect — with other factors listed in the spec reviews below.
A Quick Look for Style
The style you choose is crucial, so here are some great options.
Best Outdoor Porcelain Tiles with a Wood Grain Effect
- Sherwood Grey Wood Effect
- Sherwood Light-Grey Wood Effect
- Trax Grey Mist Wood Effect
Best Outdoor Porcelain Tiles with a Slate/Concrete Effect
- Lakeside Blue Grey Slate Effect
- Planate Gunmetal Grey Concrete Effect
Best Outdoor Porcelain Tiles with a Stone Effect
- Botanique Brunia Stone Effect
- Leinz Grey Stone Effect
- Medici Plus Natural Stone Effect
- Materia Perla Stone Effect
Individual Product Review
The following sections discuss the types of slabs you could buy for your garden.
If you’re looking for nature-inspired flooring, these Sherwood Grey tiles have a realistic wood-grain finish, adding a textured design to the home garden space. These tiles come in a matte finish and can add additional chic living space outdoors.
- Size: 295 x 1195 x 20mm
- Tiles Per SQm: 2.84
- Weight: 15.60 KG
- Anti-Slip Grade: R11/ 35 Degrees
- Underfloor Heating Compatible: Yes
This model has the same wood-grain and matte finish as the one above, but the colour is a slightly cool and lighter grey. A flooring with this tile would complement a contrasting dark-coloured furniture scheme in your outdoor garden living space.
- Size: 295 x 1195 x 20mm
- Tiles Per SQm: 2.84
- Weight: 15.60 KG
- Anti-Slip Grade: R11/ 35 Degrees
- Underfloor Heating Compatible: Yes
These slabs are slightly thinner than other porcelain tiles but still have the durability and anti-slip treatment expected. They feature a softer and simple grey stone effect for outdoor patio flooring. Without the need for concrete underneath, these tiles would also make for a functional stone-like pathway throughout the garden.
- Size: 797 x 797 x 18mm
- Tiles Per SQm: 1.57
- Weight: 25.00 KG
- Anti-Slip Grade: R11/ 12 Degree
- Underfloor Heating Compatible: Yes
With natural slate effects in varied colours and a matt finish, Lakeside blue grey slabs add character, depth, and style to your garden patio space. If you like a minimalist design, these tiles could be perfect for you.
- Size: 595 x 595 x 20mm
- Tiles Per SQm: 2.82
- Weight: 15.38 KG
- Anti-Slip Grade: R11/ 12 Degrees
- Underfloor Heating Compatible: Yes
Easier to maintain and more enduring than other non-porcelain tiles, the Planate tiles feature an urban concrete effect without you worrying about the consequences of winter moisture causing cracks or breakage. With a matte finish and R11 anti-slip rating, this is a safe way to remake your garden flooring.
- Size: 600 x 600 x 20mm
- Tiles Per SQm: 2.78
- Weight: 14.00 KG
- Anti-Slip Grade: R11/ 12 Degrees
- Underfloor Heating Compatible: Yes
Inspired by the beauty and popularity of Belgian Bluestone, these matte-finish tiles are perfect for a fashionable patio space. Cut with rectified edges, Botanique Brunia tiles fit perfectly to provide a uniform floor.
- Size: 600 x 600 x 20mm
- Tiles Per SQm: 2.78
- Weight: 14.55 KG
- Anti-Slip Grade: R11/ 35 Degrees
- Underfloor Heating Compatible: Yes
The natural stone look of these Leinz tiles will remain throughout the many seasons as neither dirt nor sun will fade the colours. You can find these paving slabs in a grey neutral colour and with unique patterned elements. Using a patterned tile allows you to create a distinctly designed floor in your garden space.
- Size: 595 x 595 x 20mm
- Tiles Per SQm: 2.82
- Weight: 13.75 KG
- Anti-Slip Grade: R11/ 35 Degrees
- Underfloor Heating Compatible: Yes
With veins of natural beiges and greys, these tiles offer a luxurious, real stone effect, providing a welcoming environment through all seasons. With a matte finish and anti-slip grade of R1, you can be sure of their safety in a wet environment.
- Size: 595 x 595 x 20mm
- Tiles Per SQm: 2.82
- Weight: 13.75 KG
- Anti-Slip Grade: R11/ 12 Degrees
- Underfloor Heating Compatible: Yes
A light-toned stone effect with a matte finish brings a sense of calm and peace to this low-maintenance tile flooring. Tiling with this clean and simple design allows for a bold and colourful decor palette throughout your garden space.
- Size: 600 x 600 x 20mm
- Tiles Per SQm: 2.78
- Weight: 16.50 KG
- Anti-Slip Grade: R11/ 35 Degrees
- Underfloor Heating Compatible: Yes
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you have a list of tiles to consider, don’t be afraid to order sample slabs of various brands to find the best one for your garden.
Other factors for you to consider before purchasing:
- Style: Porcelain allows for multiple design choices with slate/concrete, wood-grain or stone effects. Contemplate which texture goes best with your aesthetic and compare various tiles. With different thicknesses of porcelain tiles available, you can also find matching indoor and outdoor tiles, allowing your aesthetic to flow between the two.
- Finish: Porcelain tiles come in matte or glossy finish. We recommend the former for all of your outdoor needs to make your flooring as safe as possible.
- Temperature control: You’ll want to consider whether the tiles will get direct sunlight or not. Although porcelain will not get as hot as concrete, the lighter the colour of the tile, the less hot it will get. In addition, if you want to use your outdoor patio space during the colder months, you can install underfloor heating with most porcelain tiles.
- Shapes: Slabs are usually sold in a square, rectangle or modular shape. Because of its density, porcelain is slightly harder to cut into irregular shapes but not impossible if you have a few special tools on hand.
- Pricing: Most pricing is based on per square metre. Slabs are sold in different sizes so be sure to check both aspects of size and pricing before purchasing.
Benefits of Using Porcelain
As we mentioned, outdoor porcelain tiles are the go-to options for gardens and outdoor patios. There are many qualities that porcelain tiles have that other materials can’t match in quality or convenience.
- Durability: Because of the way porcelain tiles are made, with fine, densely packed clay baked at extreme temperatures, these tiles are less prone to chipping and breaking. Outdoor porcelain tiles are some of the most durable ones on the market.
- Scratch-resistant: Porcelain is also scratch-resistant, making it a more practical pick for outdoor foot traffic than tiles made of materials such as ceramic.
- Easy to clean: Whereas tiles of granite and cement are porous and harder to keep clean, porcelain tiles are easier to clean, needing only a regular pressure wash.
- Moisture-resist: People have used thinner porcelain tiles indoors for years, particularly in lavatories, so we know how moisture-resistant they are. With the 20mm tiles made specifically for outdoor use, you can be sure these tiles will not absorb the rains or be damaged by frost.
- Anti-slip rating: Outdoor porcelain slabs have some of the best anti-slip tiles, most with a rating of at least R11, making them safe even during the wet seasons.
- Installation: You can lay porcelain tiles on top of a concrete foundation, but one of the benefits of porcelain is that it is not necessary to do so. Outdoor porcelain tiles often are laid on grass, adhesive, sand, or gravel beds. Not needing a concrete foundation makes for an easier installation and allows usage for pathways, gardens and outdoor patios.
- Sealing: In addition, porcelain tiles do not always need sealing, although the grouting will need sealing on a uniform floor.
Outdoor porcelain tiles are currently popular with many varieties of quality and price. Be sure to consider all of the pros and cons before you make a final decision.
A Lasting Investment
Making over your garden can be a fun and creative experience. Starting with a strong foundation of outdoor porcelain tiles lays the groundwork for the rest of your design aesthetic. Porcelain tiles may cost slightly more than other flooring options, but their durability, weather resistance and low maintenance make them a smart investment that will last for years.