Option for tiles outdoors

The heady days of summer provide us with an opportunity to spend more time outside the home to unwind from the fast pace of modern living. Turn your outdoor sanctuary into an attractive spot where you can entertain and celebrate with friends and family in pure alfresco bliss.

 

Whether you are after ample space to entertain a big family or planning a secluded spot for quiet reflection and alone-time, attractive flooring and cladding can help you convert the area into an extension of the home.

Tiles are the ideal material to create a leisure spot that is practical, beautiful and welcoming. The most suitable tiles to use outdoors are natural, terracotta and porcelain tiles, but not polished porcelain tiles if the area is going to become wet.

Stone is quarried from the ground and cut into pieces to form natural stone tiles. They include sandstone, slate, granite, and natural marble such as travertine all of which are perfect to transform an outdoor area. "The look is organic elegance, with the added benefits of excellent durability and little maintenance being required," says Kate van Niekerk, marketing manager for Tile Africa.

Slate is an extremely versatile and a beautiful natural material, with variable layers of colour and texture. It is a wonderful flooring option as it is porous and absorbs water, making it less slippery. With striking variations of colour and pattern, slate tiles will transform a plain floor or wall into a design statement.

Sandstone cladding creates eye-catching textured walls, whilst sandstone tiles give a natural matt-finish to floors. Offering varying shades of vanilla, ivory and warm honey, sandstone adds a natural and calming feeling to any outside entertainment area.

There are several advantages to using natural tiles outside the home. They are very hard and durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Slate and sandstone tiles will last a lifetime and with good care they will provide you with a unique floor and wall area thanks to the distinctive character of each tile. Another benefit is that natural stone is classic and won’t date.

It is essential to note that natural stone tiles need to be sealed after installation. You will find a wide range of Tile and Floor Care products at your local Builders Warehouse.

For more information on Tile Africa call 0800 002 783 or visit www.tileafrica.co.za.