Your determination of the right product depends a great deal on your climate and software.
Slate
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Best for:High-end patios in any climate.
Slate is one of the better choices for natural stone in outdoor patio locations.
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Slate is a metamorphic rock formed under great heat and pressure.
It is very hard and durable, and also very resistant to water.
Typically these are the types of sedimentary stone that cleave naturally along horizontal planes.
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Granite
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Best for:High-end patios that are unlikely to suffer stains.
Its composition is usually dominated by quartz.
Granite is a high-end, premium paving material, but it has certain drawbacks when used outdoors.
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Granite tile is usually highly polished, which can make it slippery when wet.
Limestone
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Best for:Warm, dry climates.
Limestone is a sedimentary rock consisting mostly of carbon-based remnants of marine life compressed over millions of years.
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It’s not uncommon to spot minuscule fossils in limestonesometimes even in paving tiles.
Limestone has been a favorite construction material for millennia, thanks to its relative abundance and ease of fabrication.
Limestone is a softer stone than slate or granite and thus can be rather easily scratched or chipped.
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And it needs to be regularly sealed to prevent stains.
It is more appropriate for patios in dry climates and not well suited to regions with harsh winters.
Limestone is also a very popular material for paving outdoor areas with irregular slabs.
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Sandstone Tiles
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Best for:Dry climates without frost.
Sandstoneis another sedimentary rock, even softer than limestone and subject to the same limitations.
It forms from layers of sands compressed over time and has a beautiful texture.
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This is another stone best suited for patios in dry climates without winter freeze-thaw cycles.
But it is usually considerably cheaper than limestone and other natural stone tiles.
Sandstone is another one of the natural stone products available in irregular slabs for outdoor paving in sand-set installations.
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Travertine Tiles
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Best for:High-end patios in dry climates.
Travertine is a form of natural sedimentary stone with beautiful texture and color.
Considered a form of limestone, this stone is mined around natural mineral spring deposits.
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And highly polished travertine can be very slippery when wet.
The quality of travertine varies considerably, depending on where it was quarried.
Soapstone Tiles
Best for:Any climate; where water- and stain-resistance is critical.
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It has high heat resistance, making it useful in very hot climates.
It is an excellent stone to usearound swimming poolsand also performs well in wet, freezing climates.
These are not often stocked by chain tile shops.
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Quarry Tile
Best for:High-end patios in warmer climates.
These are extremely strong tiles that function very well as a paving material for patios.
In fact, this form of tile was created specifically for outdoor use in courtyards and patios.
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Quarry tiles provide a Mediterranean look that is much prized by many homeowners.
Quarry tile is not a great choice for climates where winters are dominated by freezing temperatures.
It is also somewhat notorious for being easy to stain unless regularly sealed.
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In the right climate, though, this is one of the best patio choices.
And it works very well as a flooring surface for sunporches in any climate.
Ceramic Tile
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Best for:Light-use patios in warmer climates.
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They are made from clay fired at high temperatures and glazed to create a hard surface layer.
Man-made tiles (ceramic, porcelain, quarry tiles) when used indoors are normally installed with thin-set adhesives.
They can loosen or crack rather easily should water seep beneath the tiles in cold-winter climates.
Outdoor grout usually has a high percentage of latex to improve flexibility.
Porcelain Tile
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Best for: Stylish patios in warmer climates.
double-check to check specifications to double-check your tiles are approved for outdoor installation.
This is most likely to be an issue in climates that see regular rainfall or freezing winter temperatures.
Consult a local tile retailer for advice.
Concrete Tiles
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Best for:Very durable, affordable surfaces.
Most concrete tiles for patio use are textured products that are easily stained unless they are regularly sealed.
Wood Deck Tiles
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Best for:Deck-like patios.
These are large squares of wood or composite planking attached to backing strips, usually with interlocking edges.
Interlocking Plastic Tiles
Best for:Easy-to-install, non-slip surfaces.
A relatively new form of tile is represented by plastic tiles with interlocking edges.
Simply lay them out on a flat surface and interlock the edges.
They are extremely durable and easy to remove when you oughta.
The tiles are perforated to allow water to drain through.
Rubber Tiles
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Best for:Sports courts, play areas.
Very soft rubber tiles are available for covering areas where children play.
Rubber tiles can also be a good choice around pools.
Installing rubber tiles is an extremely easy DIY project.
Carpet Tiles
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Best for:Comfortable, colorful surface for dry climates.
For something completely different, consider carpet tiles made from indoor-outdoor carpeting.
When explaining your needs, emphasize that you will be using the product outside.
From region to region, there can be a wide variation in what products are appropriate for outdoor use.
An initial consultation with a landscape contractor who builds outdoor patios can also be helpful.
Discussions with the contractor will make it clear what types of tile are most appropriate for your situation.
