Transform Your Outdoor Space with These Tiles
Transform Your Outdoor Space with These Tiles
Transform Your Outdoor Space with These Tiles
A well-designed outdoor area can become one of the most enjoyable parts of your home. Whether you are
refreshing a patio, creating an entertainment area, upgrading a walkway or adding character to an outdoor
wall, the tiles you choose can make a major difference.
Outdoor tiles are not only about appearance. They need to cope with changing weather, moisture, regular foot
traffic and everyday wear. That is why choosing tiles specifically suited to outdoor use is an important first
step.
At Pulse Tiles, you can explore dedicated outdoor, slip-resistant, porcelain, wood-look and cladding-look tile
options for different outdoor applications.
Start with Safety: Choose the Right Surface
Outdoor floors can become slippery after rain, around swimming pools or when they are being cleaned. For
these areas, a textured, matt or slip-resistant surface is generally a more practical choice than a highly
polished finish.
Pulse Tile’s outdoor collection includes anti-slip floor options such as the Braga Antislip Floor Tile, Dune
Antislip Floor Tile and Isla Antislip Floor Tile, giving homeowners choices designed with practical outdoor
flooring in mind.
Tip: Pay extra attention to slip resistance around pools, outdoor showers, entrance paths and uncovered
patios where the floor is likely to get wet.
Consider Porcelain for a Durable Outdoor Look
Porcelain is a popular option when durability is a priority. Pulse Tiles describes its porcelain range as dense
and durable, and the outdoor collection includes matt glazed porcelain options such as the Dolomiti-Pro
Cosmo Matt Glazed Porcelain 600x600mm.
Large or medium-format porcelain tiles can also help create a clean, contemporary appearance on patios and
entertainment areas.
However, never assume that every porcelain or ceramic tile can automatically be installed outdoors. Always
confirm that the specific product is recommended for your intended application, especially when the area is
exposed to rain, strong sunlight or significant temperature changes.
Use Tiles to Add Character to Outdoor Walls
Your floor is not the only surface that can transform an outdoor area.
Feature walls, braai areas, entrance walls and garden boundaries can become design elements through the
use of textured or cladding-look tiles. Pulse Tiles’ outdoor collection includes elevation tiles in a variety of
neutral and natural-looking shades, including the Colorado Graffito, Dubois and Harmony Crema ranges.
Using a textured wall tile alongside a simpler floor tile can add visual interest without making the space feel
too busy.
Think About Colour and the Overall Mood
Colour has a big influence on how an outdoor space feels. Light greys, beige and stone-inspired tones can
create a bright, relaxed atmosphere, while darker greys can bring a more dramatic, contemporary finish.
Wood-look tiles are another option for homeowners who enjoy the warmth and character of timber-inspired
surfaces while still wanting the convenience of tiles. Pulse Tiles offers a dedicated wood-look tile category
alongside marble-look, cladding-look and other styles, making it easier to coordinate your outdoor design with
the rest of your home.
Tip: Take a tile sample outdoors before making your final decision. Colours can look very different in direct
sunlight compared with how they appear under showroom or indoor lighting.
Good Installation Is Just as Important as the Tile
Even a high-quality outdoor tile can perform poorly if the installation is incorrect. Exterior tiled areas
experience rain, heat, cold and thermal expansion and contraction, which places additional demands on the
adhesive, grout and substrate.
South African tile installation specialist TAL recommends flexible, suitable adhesive and grout systems for
external installations, full adhesive coverage beneath tiles and correctly positioned movement joints. Large
format tiles may also require back-buttering to help achieve adequate adhesive contact.
For the best long-term result, make sure the surface is properly prepared, drainage is considered and the
correct products are used for the specific tile and application.
Practical Tips Before You Start Tiling
- Measure carefully and order extra tiles. Having additional tiles allows for cuts, breakages and
possible future repairs. - Plan drainage before installation. Outdoor floors should not encourage water to collect in unwanted
areas. - Think about furniture placement. Plan your tile layout around your braai, outdoor dining set, seating
and walkways. - Avoid choosing on looks alone. Consider slip resistance, maintenance and suitability for outdoor
conditions. - Use the correct adhesive and grout. Exterior installations have different demands from indoor tiled
spaces. - Keep a few spare tiles after installation. Matching the exact same tile or production batch years later
may be difficult.
Create an Outdoor Space You’ll Want to Use
The right tiles can turn an ordinary patio, walkway or entertainment area into a space that feels like a natural
extension of your home. Focus on a combination of safety, durability, correct installation and timeless
design, rather than choosing on appearance alone.
Whether you prefer modern grey porcelain, textured anti-slip flooring, warm wood-look finishes or striking
cladding-style walls, there are plenty of ways to personalise your exterior.
Explore the Pulse Tiles outdoor tile collection and compare different colours, finishes and styles to find a tile
that works for both your design and the way you use your outdoor space.