Ceramic tiles for indoor and outdoor use?
Everything about ceramic tiles
Another name for ceramic tiles is the collective term ceramics. Ceramics is a material made from clay or loam. The raw material is fired at a high temperature, making it extremely hard. Many ceramic materials are used in construction, including ceramic tiles. The material can be compared to a coffee cup, which is also made from ceramic material. Floor and wall tiles in the bathroom or kitchen are therefore also ceramic. Because it is more or less a collective term, you need to pay close attention to ensure you are buying the right quality.
What are ceramic tiles?
Ceramic tiles are available for indoor and outdoor use. They also come in various thicknesses, ranging from 10 mm to 50 mm. There are several differences between these two products. Indoor tiles should never be used outdoors because they are not resistant to weather conditions and because it is extremely unsafe. The reverse is possible, however. Read on to find out why this is the case and what the differences are exactly.
Ceramic tiles and their properties
- Ceramic tiles have a closed surface. This makes them very easy to clean. It is no coincidence that every bathroom or toilet has ceramic floor tiles and wall tiles.
- Ceramic is also very durable because it is hard. However, it is less resistant to high-pressure (point) loads. For example, a jar of peanut butter falling on a tile could cause a piece to break off.
- Ceramic tiles can be made in any desired design and size. This applies to both indoor and outdoor use.
- The surface can also be treated. For example, it can be made very smooth or textured. This is also the biggest difference between tiles for indoor and outdoor use. Ceramic tiles for outdoor use must always have a high degree of slip resistance! Otherwise, they are very dangerous.
The difference between indoor and outdoor tiles
Difference in hardness and slip resistance
There is always a difference in hardness depending on the quality and supplier. Tiles for outdoor use are usually double-fired. This makes the tiles harder, but also denser in structure and therefore less permeable to moisture. As a result, these tiles are always more expensive than those for indoor use. Extra hardness can also be achieved by pressing the clay under extremely high pressure before firing. This is precisely where the difference in quality between the various brands lies. However, this cannot be seen with the naked eye.
For indoor use, tiles are often coated with a layer of glaze, which has a protective function. However, these tiles shine and are slippery when wet. Therefore, they are never suitable for outdoor flooring! In this case, the base layer may be of lower quality. The glaze layer protects the tile. Ceramic tiles for outdoor use are therefore usually “gress porcellanato”. This is 100% porcelain clay that is fired under high pressure and at high temperatures.
Our range of ceramic garden tiles have very good slip resistance, making them suitable for outdoor use. Can you also lay these tiles indoors? Yes, you certainly can. But you should bear in mind that cleaning (mopping) is a little more difficult than with ceramic indoor tiles.
Ceramic tiles for outdoor use are thicker
Because tiles used outdoors have to withstand more wear and tear and heavier loads, they are thicker. Inside the home, ceramic tiles are laid on a concrete floor. This means that the tile itself does not have to absorb much impact. Outdoors, you are dealing with a weaker substructure. Therefore, the tile must be able to absorb more impact. The minimum thickness for outdoor use is 2 cm, increasing to as much as 5 cm. If you would like to know what is involved in laying a ceramic outdoor floor, please see the installation instructions below.
Processing combination concrete and ceramic tiles
Compared to traditional 2 cm ceramic tiles, GeoCeramica® is easy to install. The tiles can be laid directly in a sand bed, making them more suitable for all kinds of substrates. They also feature built-in spacers, which make it easy to position the tiles correctly. This saves time and installation costs. Watch the instructional video below.
MBI specialises in ceramic tiles.
What tiles can you find in our range?
MBI supplies a wide range of ceramic tiles for outdoor use. Naturally, these are at least 2 cm thick. GeoCeramica® is revolutionary. It is a concrete tile with a 1 cm ceramic top layer. The concrete base can vary from 3 to 7 cm. This makes the product multifunctional. The individual tiles are also available for indoor use. What's more, GeoCeramica® comes in no fewer than 150+ different colours to choose from. New is the 100×100 cm format, GeoCeramica® MAXXIMA, for an impressive garden.
Advice for purchasing outdoor tiles
Want to buy ceramic tiles?
Visit one of our authorised dealers!
Ceramic tiles come in many different qualities, and the thickness you choose depends on the local situation. If you live in an area prone to subsidence, we recommend choosing GeoCeramica® rather than solid ceramic tiles. Your authorised dealer will be familiar with the situation and can give you the best advice.
Contact us
MBI offers a very wide choice for the design of indoor and outdoor spaces. Leave your details and we will contact you a.s.a.p..
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