Outdoor patios are trending in popularity as a home feature, especially for property owners who enjoy entertaining during the fair-weather months. But there’s a lot to consider when adding one to your property.
Aside from the more obvious considerations like appliances, seating and features, one thing you don’t want to overlook is the flooring. In this post, we’ll cover why ceramic tile is one of the preferred flooring options for an outdoor kitchen. Read on to learn more:
Ceramic Tiles 101: What You Need to Know
Ceramic tiles are made of clay and kiln-fired, and the final product tends to be a durable, elegant tile that’s used on both floors and walls. Though not as dense or as durable as certain other types of tile, ceramic makes up for this when it comes to design flexibility and the number of colors, sizes and finishes it’s available in.
There are various types of ceramic tile that property owners can select from based on the look they’re trying to achieve. Glazed ceramic tiles are coated with a protective finish and often have a glossy, more polished look. Ceramic floor tiles also come in matte finishes. Ceramic wall tiles are also popular, commonly used as kitchen backsplashes or even in shower stalls.
Another nice thing about ceramic is that it comes in a variety of different sizes. Some of the more common ceramic tile sizes include 12 x 24 inches and 24 x 24 inches. Tiles as large as 12 x 48 inches are also available.
Key Benefits of Ceramic Tiles
There are a number of key advantages to using ceramic tiles for your next outdoor project compared to other hard flooring styles. These benefits include:
- Price: One of the biggest advantages of ceramic tile is its affordability. Ceramic tiles cost between $2 and $20 per square foot, while other types of tile tend to cost much more. The larger the outdoor space, the greater the savings potential over other hard floor options. The bottom line is that ceramic is a very budget-friendly option.
- Ease of installation: Though ceramic isn’t as dense of a material as other hard floor options, this is a benefit when it comes to installation. Some tiles require specialized equipment to cut and install. Ceramic typically doesn’t. This makes it easier to install, whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional to do it for you. Either way, it helps make for a more affordable flooring option.
- Variety of colors, styles and sizes: We touched on this earlier in the post, but arguably the biggest advantage of ceramic tile is the wide range of colors, styles, finishes and sizes it’s available in. It makes it easy for property owners to zero in on the look and feel that they want for their outdoor kitchen with so many options at their disposal and other features and amenities to consider. Learn more about other amenities and features for your outdoor kitchen by contacting Builders Cabinet.
- Water-resistance: A necessity for any room in the home that comes into regular contact with water (not to mention any space outside of the home, such as an outdoor kitchen), ceramic is a water-resistant material. In other words, ceramic will not be damaged as a result of coming into contact with water. Ceramic may have some water absorption, but it will not damage.
- Ease of maintenance: Ceramic is also incredibly easy to clean and maintain. It’s resistant to bacteria, spills are easily wiped up and usually warm water is all that’s required to clean.
Why Ceramic Tiles Are Ideal for Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor patios? Outdoor kitchens? Some other type of outdoor space?
Ceramic tiles should be on the short list of your floor material options, largely for the reasons that we listed above. They’re water resistant, which is crucial for an outdoor area that’s bound to come into contact with rain. They’re durable and easy to maintain. They’re available in a variety of sizes, colors, patterns and styles to complement other planned features and appliances of the outdoor kitchen. And they’re affordable to boot, which can help keep any project on budget.
When it comes to flooring for your outdoor kitchen, ceramic is one of the many options property owners can select from. And because of its wide range of benefits, it’s also one of the best options for outdoor kitchens and outdoor patios.
