Do you have a patio that you have not yet known how to take advantage of? doA porch who needs a tune up? Outdoor spaces give us a lot of life during the summer, don't let the next one come to bring them up to date! Good exterior flooring can make them not only more attractive but more functional. But what is the best outdoor flooring?
A priori the best outdoor flooring It will be the one that better resists both temperature changes and the usual inclement weather of the place where we live. However, there are many other factors that we cannot ignore when choosing one, such as maintenance requirements, budget and, of course, its aesthetics.
The needs that we have and others are different, that's why we can't choose for you. But if we can give you a list of four outdoor floors, tell you about their main characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and thus help you make the best decision. A tailor-made decision that takes into account who is going to use the space, in what way and what external conditions it must withstand.
Natural stone
Natural stone is one of the most popular and also most durable materials for paving gardens. It is a very resistant material to inclement weather and the passage of time. And it requires very little maintenance; To keep it clean, just use a soft brush and a hose.
There are many possibilities and infinite formats when it comes to paving outdoor spaces with natural stone, which facilitates its adaptability to both practical and aesthetic needs. The stones, slabs and slabs quartzite and slate, very resistant to drastic changes in temperature and humidity, are in great demand, but they are not the only possibilities.
The only but of this material is the cost and it is that the price of the material itself must be added to the price of the professional who performs the installation.
- The best: Its resistance and durability
- Worst: your cost
Ceramic floors
Ceramic is for many the best outdoor flooring for its qualities. In general, ceramic floors are strong and durable, but there are so many different materials and qualities that we can use that we believe it is necessary to make some nuances in such a statement.
Baked clay, for example, a material widely used for its texture to decorate rustic-style spaces. A resistant material but also porous, so it usually requires a protective treatment against moisture and stains to extend its useful life.
less porous is the ceramic stoneware, a very popular material for paving terraces thanks to its durability and its modern and avant-garde aesthetics. The lower its porosity, the greater its resistance to humidity, with porcelain stoneware being the best in this regard. Very little porous and almost waterproof, it does not deteriorate with sudden changes in temperature, making it one of the best options for outdoor flooring, but also one of the most expensive.
And the hydraulic mosaic? This material of great tradition currently offers all the benefits of modern ceramic materials. Weather resistant, they do not require much maintenance if they are treated properly for outdoor use. And they bring a lot of life and color to outdoor floors.
- The best: The posibilities; fits different needs and pockets.
- Worst: The porosity of certain materials in a harsh climate and the price if you go to a porcelain tile
Composite
Do you like the warmth that wood prints but do not want to work to maintain it? Composite, a material made from recycled wood, resins and polymers, which imitates the appearance and texture of wood but offers greater resistance to moisture and to the rays of the sun that is.
It also has other very interesting features. It has extraordinary durability; will not crack, chip, swell, rot, or discolor. It is non-slip, which will prevent many accidents; nothing demanding in its maintenance; and recyclable when it is time to remove it. And no, it's not the most expensive material either.
- Best: Durability, zero maintenance and non-slip surface.
- Worst. More limited possibilities.
Concrete
Concrete is one of the cheapest outdoor floors and it withstands adverse weather conditions very well. The continuous concrete floors reinforce the feeling of spaciousness of spaces thanks to the absence of joints and are the favorites for paving exteriors in an industrial and contemporary style. However, many find them cold, so they choose to use tiles, a more traditional format.
- The best: Price/durability ratio
- Worst. Not everyone likes its aesthetic
Are you surprised not to find wood on this list? The wooden floors They provide a lot of warmth to outdoor spaces, but they require rigorous maintenance to keep them in good condition, especially in those places exposed to sudden changes in temperature and constant humidity conditions. And on our list, maintenance has been one of the factors that has gained the most strength in choosing the best outdoor flooring.