How to Buy Ceramic Tiles for Outdoors

Buying Outdoor Ceramic Tile

• 1

  Measure the area (length and width) you plan to install ceramic tile on, then add 15 percent in case you make mistakes. If you need exactly 160 square feet to tile your outdoor patio, buy at least 184 square feet so you'll have extra in case you drop any or make inaccurate cuts.

• 2

  Shop for ceramic tiles that are labeled either vitrified, meaning the water absorption is low, between 0.5 and 3 percent, or impervious, meaning the water absorption rate drops to 0.0 to 0.5 percent. These two categories also mean the ceramic tile is frost-proof and won't crack after sudden drops in temperature. Outdoor ceramic tile also needs a PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute rating abrasion test) of Class 3, 4 or 5, with Class 4 and 5 being the most durable.

• 3

  Purchase outdoor ceramic tile that is dense, preferably 1/2 inch thick to prevent cracking under impact and foot traffic, and outdoor ceramic tile that has a nonslip surface (an invisible coating of grit on the tile's surface to provide traction) so that if the tile gets wet, people are less likely to slip and fall.