The Outdoor Use of Tile

Mosaics

• Mosaics are formed from small pieces of tile laid into a bed of tile mastic and joined together by lines of grout. You can form a spiral mosaic in the middle of a concrete walkway or a concrete countertop for an outdoor barbecue. You can set small pieces of tile to form a mosaic in a garden or driveway retaining wall. There are also lawn ornaments made from mosaic tiles such as birdbaths and sundials.

Pools

• Use bright, textured tiles to line the bottom of your swimming pool. The colors give the pool some decorative accents while the texture keeps swimmers from slipping on the pool bottom. Line the pool deck with matching or contrasting tiles to continue your decorative theme from underwater up to the deck. Line the outer edge and the bottom of a koi pool with brightly colored tiles or tiles of one light color to accent the koi's colors.

Outdoor Hearths and Fire Pits

• Decorate an outdoor hearth or fire pit with a splash of brightly colored Mexican tile. Accent an outdoor kiva with white and cobalt blue Mexican tiles. Extend the tiles from the floor hearth up into the firebox on the fireplace or kiva. Form mosaic lines that radiate into the perimeter of a fire pit. Line the top of the fire pit with tiles matching the radiating mosaics.

Patios and Paths

• Use glass tiles to wall off a patio for privacy while still allowing light into the patio sitting area. Place alternating tiles of smooth, varnished and lacquered wood and beveled glass tiles down onto the patio floor for an elegant and restful patio surface. Outdoor patio furnishings will glide over the patio as you move them into different groupings for a variety of social activities. Create a path to your house, pool or garage by laying down evenly spaced concrete tiles.