The backyard is basically Dad’s kingdom so there’s no better place to start if you’re looking for a creative gift idea for Father’s Day!
Outdoor dining is hands-down one of the best summer activities, especially if it involves a pitcher of cold beer, and where better to enjoy dinner than on a brand new patio built with Dad!
Three Questions Before Getting Started
Before you start browsing through various design options, there are 3 questions you should answer first to ensure you get the tile that’s well suited for your needs.
1. Where Do I Want to Install? It seems like a simple question, but this is definitely the first one to answer! Certain tile options may be better to use on exterior walls whereas others work better on outdoor floors. Knowing where your tiles will be used helps to confidently choose the type of tile that has the traits you need.
2. Do I Need Frost Resistance? If you live in an area that tends to freeze and thaw, you need a dense outdoor tile that can withstand extreme changes in temperature. Frost resistance is determined by the water absorption rate or porosity of a tile. When a very porous tile is exposed to rain, it will absorb moisture which will expand upon freezing, potentially causing the tile to crack. For that reason, the tile industry recommends no more than 5% porosity for tile to have a frost-resistant body.
3. Do I Need Extra Grip? Although this is not a concern when installing tile on a wall, it’s extremely important when choosing a floor tile for outdoors. Since moisture and water can lead to slippery surfaces, you need tiles with grip, especially if your application area is close to water features or swimming pools. I hope this helped put together some ideas and thoughts before your big project with Dad this year for Father’s Day!
