The new tile size on the block is 20mm outdoor tiles. Here’s why 20mm deep is the way forward (or any direction) for your outdoor space.
Whether you want to create a beautiful outdoor path, or a perfect patio, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor tiles. Create a seamless look from indoors to outdoors with matching interior and exterior tiles, use wood effect tiles as an alternative to decking, or create a quintessentially English cottage style with quarry tiles. The sky’s the limit, as long as your tiles are frost-resistant and anti-slip.
20mm outdoor tiles
There’s nothing worse than having to compromise style over sturdiness (or vice versa) when it comes to choosing floor tiles. Thankfully, our new range of 20mm outdoor tiles solves that problem, offering the winning combination of gorgeous designs and gargantuan durability.
Duplostone Ivory Porcelain Paving Tiles
Benefits of 20mm outdoor tiles
Super strength
Typical outdoor tiles can be relatively thin, with depths of around 9-12mm. A 20mm thickness greatly increases the strength of the tile, making them hardwearing and resistant to loads, stresses and thermal shock.
Durability
20mm will take a lot of abuse, from the great British weather to heavy feet and vehicles. As they’re frost resistant, they’re ideal for chilly temperatures, and being resilient to mould, moss and stains means they’re easily cleaned.
Anti-slip surface
Gardens and outdoor areas can be prone to lots of water, from rain, paddling pools and water fights in the summer. A hefty R rating on 20mm tiles (ours are all R11) gives a grippier surface underfoot to help prevent and slips and trips.
A bespoke look
If you’re looking for something a little different to standard patio slabs, decking, cement or stone, 20mm tiles will pave the way for a more unique look. You’ll also be spoilt for choice with a range of colours and finishes to match your house or garden wall brick work in order to create a glorious garden path or a fantastic feature settings around an ornamental pond with just a few tiles.
Versatile installation
2cm deep tiles provide more versatility, as you can lay them pretty much anywhere, with a choice of methods. Use traditional adhesive, or go adhesive-free to make maintenance, removal or repositioning much easier. Keep reading to find out more about installing 20mm tiles.
Indoors to outdoors
As 20mm tiles are also suitable for internal flooring, you can continue the look from indoors to outdoors by laying the same tiles from a kitchen, hallway, corridor or conservatory out to a patio, garden or balcony – or just smarten up your garage floor!
Lake Grigio Outside Flooring Tiles
What are 20mm outdoor tiles suitable for?
Residential use
Balconies, driveways, garage floors, gardens, hard landscaping, indoor floors, paths, patios, raised pavings, swimming pool surrounds and walkways.
Commercial use
Any heavy traffic areas, car parks, pavements, shopping centres and urban areas.
Carleen Sand Outdoor Porcelain Slab
How to lay 20mm outdoor tiles
Another beauty of 20mm tiles is the choice of installation options, with four methods to choose from.
Raised flooring with supports
This practical solution offers numerous advantages. The raised installation allows room for pipes and systems underneath, which can be easily inspected, as well as offering high heat insulation and effective water drainage. The tiles can also be installed quickly and used straight away. You can use this method on existing floors and new surfaces.
Installation on gravel or soil
Installing 20mm tiles on gravel or soil is a quick and easy method, and avoids the need for using adhesives or grout. Other advantages include more efficient water drainage, the option to remove the tile altogether, and you can walk on the surface immediately after laying.
Dry installation on grass
If you’d like to create a pathway or feature area in your garden, position the tiles on a layer of gravel to add stability and create a more level surface. We recommended leaving enough space between the tiles for grass to grow through.
Installation with adhesives
High traffic or heavy load area? Adhesive is the best solution, but make sure your floor is perfectly level first!
Duplocem Grey Outside Tiles
How NOT to install 20mm outdoor tiles
Avoid laying your tiles on semi-dry sand and cement mix, as they tend to come loose over time, especially in main walkways, such as around a washing line, etc.
Essen Sand Porcelain Paving Tiles
We hope we’ve inspired you to go large with 20mm outdoor tiles. Shop the range here.
If you need any help in choosing 20mm outdoor tiles, give our team a call on 01792 773 015 or 0800 8766 866, or email [email protected]
