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How to choose your exterior tiles?

In perpetual reinvention, tiling appeals for its style that can imitate noble materials or for its unusual and original aspects. Beyond its purely aesthetic character, this coating must be chosen according to its durability and its resistance to bad weather and frost. The safety criterion should also be considered before deciding.

How to choose your exterior tiles?

The aesthetic criterion

Your decorative motivations will initially guide you in choosing your exterior tiles. Fortunately, in this area, manufacturers constantly compete in imagination to make the possibilities almost endless. Several materials can therefore be chosen, starting with full-body porcelain stoneware (ideal for covering terraces), glazed porcelain stoneware, glazed stoneware, marble, granite or even material effect tiling which wonderfully imitates natural materials. expensive and difficult to maintain like wood, natural stone or slate.

In terms of finish, again, it's up to you to choose a satin, matte or glossy finish. But for the exterior, specialists recommend concrete, cement or stone tiles that come in different types of shapes and colors.

Resistance and safety above all

Tiling paths, a terrace or a swimming pool is a significant investment. There is no question of taking the risk that your coating will deteriorate in just a few years. Hence the importance of being demanding with regard to the resistance of the material. The latter must not fear bad weather, passages or even frost. In order to help consumers target the most resistant tiles, a UPEC classification has been set up by organizations responsible for verifying and testing products, intended to measure quality, durability and fitness. use of floor coverings according to the type of space to be tiled. Ideally, it is advisable to choose tiles equal to or greater than E3 and C3.

Adhesion is another factor to seriously consider. If you don't want your floor to become a real skating rink during rainy periods, pay attention to the non-slip properties. Standards have been put in place to guide consumer choice. Thus, the best non-slip tiles are rated R11 and above.

How to choose your exterior tiles?

Other factors to consider

The ease of installation should also include your criteria before choosing your tiles, especially if you plan to carry out the work yourself. In addition, pay attention to the place on which your coating will be installed as well as certain parameters such as temperatures and the level of sunshine. There is nothing more unpleasant than walking on hot tiles on the hottest summer days. Be aware that dark colors tend to attract heat and will heat your terrace at the slightest increase in temperature. Lighter tones are therefore recommended.

Last but not least:the price. Systematically compare prices per square meter, making sure to determine the area to be tiled beforehand. Also be sure to check that the prices displayed are not exclusive of tax. In addition to the price of the material, include the cost of the materials needed for the installation as well as the labor, if necessary.