Outdoor Tiles The Tile Home Guide. Outdoor tiles are available in what may seem like a never ending variety of materials. Each type is truly different and may only work in certain spaces and for specific uses. From DIY instructions for home improvement projects to design inspiration for your home, eHow offers all the essential howto info you need. Artificial Grass Installation is a multi step process use our Synthetic Grass and Fake Turf Guide for installing artificial grass DIY Installing lowvoltage outdoor lighting is a bigimpact DIY project. And since its low voltage, its safe to use and install, even for beginners. So how do you decide which ones to choose Well, this guide will give you the info and tips you need on all of the top tile materials, along with much more, to help you get started. Tile for outdoor use typically needs to be strong enough to be able to withstand the elements. This can often mean extreme heat, rain, snow, or all of these. However, this will depend on where you use them. We all also have different spaces, preferences, needs, and budgets. The experts at DIYNetwork. com show how to install carpet in easytofollow, stepbystep instructions. Carpet enhances the beauty of a room and helps with insulation. While many consumers want something that is both attractive and functional others may simply desire an option that is inexpensive and gets the job done. Before you decide on any materials you may want to ask yourself a few important questions. While you may not know all of the answers yet, even just keeping them in mind will put you on the fast track to finding the best outdoor tiles for your project. They also may just give you some useful ideas. How And Where Are Your Tiles Going To Be UsedThis is probably the most important of all the questions and answering it correctly will help you to save time and money. Some tile materials are super tough and can handle a ton of abuse while others are much more fragile and prone to being scratched, damaged, or breaking. And while certain options are better for use on the wall others will work better on the floor. Knowing how and where your tiles will be used will help you to confidently choose a material and type of tile that has the traits you need. Does The Area Need Extra Grip While this not a concern when adding tile on the wall its extremely important when choosing outdoor floor tile. Moisture and water can lead to slippery surfaces and a fall on hard tile can be very painful and even dangerous. If the space you will be tiling comes into contact with a lot of water or moisture you will most likely want to add non slip outdoor tiles. Weather can cause wet surfaces but so can installing your tiles in areas that are known to flood or where they are close to water features, swimming pools, and ponds. Stairs in particular are an area where you should definitely consider using a tile material that has grip regardless of whether or not they will be getting wet. Do You Need A Flat Space Having outdoor flooring that is flat is sometimes very important. For example certain types of patio furniture will need a flat surface to rest comfortably on. Many natural stones in particular come in textures that are not level. If you dont need a flat surface they could be an excellent choice that also looks very rustic. What Is The Style Of Your Space The style of your home, space, or garden can have a big impact on your tile choice. Identifying the style you are working with and choosing tiles that match it can go a long way towards getting great looking and cohesive results. Thinking about what style you need to match or that you would like to create will automatically help you to narrow down your list of possible outdoor tile materials very quickly since not every material will be able to work. What Color Is Your House, And Do You Want To Match Or Contrast It Looking at the color of your home can help you to choose a tile color. Both matching and contrasting colors can look amazing. If the tiles you are looking at dont match or contrast you may want to eliminate them from your list of choices. Dont forget that neutral colors such as brown, black, and grey are well known for being able to work with just about all color schemes. How Much Light Does The Area GetMost people dont realize that using dark tiles in an area with poor or dim lighting can really take away from the appearance of their tiles, even ones that look spectacular before being installed. The end result is all too often a space that looks dull and gloomy. A simple rule to follow when picking a color is Choose lighter colored outdoor tiles for areas with low light, and darker tiles for areas with a lot of light. Types of Outdoor Tiles Now that you know the right questions to ask, here are the top types you will want to check out. Be sure to take your time, read up, and choose carefully. Plastic Interlocking Outdoor Tiles. With a grip that helps to prevent slips and falls, plastic interlocking outdoor tiles are always one of the most popular options. Because they interlock there is no need to pay a professional to install them for you. And you dont need any skills whatsoever to do the job on your own. Just set them down on any flat or even semi flat surface, interlock them, and youre done. You can place them right over your existing concrete patio or deck for a fast and functional upgrade. And like all interlocking options they can be removed quickly, taken with you if you move, or used somewhere else on your property. Individual tiles can also be replaced without a hassle if there is any damage. They are typically made from extremely durable materials such as Polypropylene. This allows them to withstand all types of weather conditions from freezing to extreme heat and also a lot of abuse. Some but not all, are even strong enough to be used as garage tiles that can handle having vehicles parked on top of them. Plastic interlocking outdoor tiles are designed specifically for providing you with the most grip possible. Unlike many other options they are perforated to let water drain through the body of the tile instead of sitting on top so that no matter how wet they get you will still have a textured grip to help prevent accidents. This also makes them very easy to keep clean with the use of a hose. For anyone who is looking for a non slip outdoor tile to place around areas that could be very dangerous when wet such as swimming pools, on balconies, or steps these can help to make them as safe as possible. Deck Tiles Another interlocking option that you can install without any skill are outdoor deck tiles. Many of these will actually snap together. When placed over a flat area they create a brand new flooring surface that looks like real decking but costs much less and wont require you to use any tools, nails or screws. They are often installed right on top of older decks to give them a fresh look. Many people also like to place them over concrete slabs, patios, balconies, or even on the lawn if it is flat, to give the appearance of an expensive looking deck surface. And when used around the pool they can add a luxurious look and feel to your space especially when they are made from authentic wood. The spaces between the slats in the tiles allow for drainage to help keep the surface of the tile dry. You can find wooden outdoor deck tiles in many handsome and sturdy wood varieties. Many of these are naturally resistant to insects, heat, and moisture which make them very well suited for use outside. When shopping, you will see choices like cherry, teak, oak, eucalyptus, acacia, and ipe, along with a handful of others. Each type has its own unique look and advantages. Different varieties of wood may require different care though. There are other material choices too. Composite tiles for example, are made from a mixture of recycled plastics and sometimes real wood as well. They are often more durable and can be made with a texture for extra grip. Some are even manufactured to look like real wood which make them an ideal choice for consumers who prefer the look of outdoor wood tiles but want something that is a little tougher. Nowadays there are also tiles made from materials like stone and even artificial turf. Outdoor Rubber Tiles. In certain situations a softer tile material is the best solution. Rubber tiles will give you a flooring surface that has grip but that also is soft enough to prevent injuries if you do happen to fall which is of course extra important for children and the elderly. Adding them to childrens play areas will help keep kids safe. There is even a special type known as rubber playground tiles that are designed to protect children when falling from higher heights such as a swing set. Rubber options can be also be used as outdoor patio tiles over concrete slabs and decks. And they can be crucial for keeping people safe around swimming pools and on balconies. Wet areas are not a problem since water can drain right through them and installation is a breeze because they are interlocking and wont need any adhesive. How to Install Wall to Wall Carpet Yourself how tos. Glue the Seams Together. Where the carpet edges join, youll need to create a seam. The seamed edges of both carpet segments must be straight. Check the edges dont assume that a factory edge is straight. Place a piece of seaming tape under the seam, adhesive side up. Heat the seaming iron to the temperature recommended by the tape manufacturer, and rest it directly on the tape for 1. Then slowly slide the iron along the tape, and press the seam into the melted glue behind the iron. After the pieces are joined, place heavy objects on the seam to hold it in place as the glue dries. Seams should run parallel to the rooms main light source. And make sure the pile of both pieces leans in the same direction.