How to Lay Tile Outside

Tile helps extend comfortable living space into the great outdoors.

Tiling over concrete patios is becoming more and more popular. One of the reasons for this trend is that people want to extend their living space into the great outdoors. Tile of many types looks just as good outside as it does inside. Certain tile types work better in some climates than in others though. Porcelain tiles work well in climates that receive snow and freezing temperatures. Slate and dense paver stones work well in warm climates that do not have freezing temperatures. Choosing the correct materials is critical to the longevity of the installation.

Things You'll Need

• Tile or paver stones
• Pressure washer
• Pressure washing solution
• Level
• Self-leveling compound
• Grinder
• Cup wheel
• Shop vac
• Tile
• Spacers
• Wet tile saw
• Flexible thinset (FlexBond)
• Drill
• Mixing paddle
• Grout
• Grout float
• Grout sealer

Instructions

1. Choose a tile that will be appropriate for your climate. Cold climates require dense tiles. Porcelain will withstand snow and freezing temperatures. Warm climates can use any tile type, including ceramic and quarried stone tiles (marble, granite, slate, travertine, and Saltillo).

2. Clean the concrete surface so it is free from dirt, oil, grease, efflorescence and other contaminants. Use a degreasing pressure washer solution to clean the concrete surface. Allow the surface to dry thoroughly.

3. Place a level on the concrete to see if the surface is level. If it is not, fill low areas in with a self-leveling compound and grind high areas down with a grinder and a cup wheel. Remove the concrete dust with a shop vac.

4. Lay the tile out on the concrete surface using tile spacers. This will allow you to pre-cut all the tiles that need trimming before mixing any thinset. You can either trim equal amounts of tile off of the first and last piece of tile, or you can remove the whole amount off the last tile. Place all the cut tiles in places that will be hidden from view. Cut all tile with a wet tile saw.

5. Remove all the tiles from the concrete surface in reverse installation order and stack them in piles at the edge of the concrete surface. The tile on top of each stack should be the first tiles to be installed. Mix a bag of flexible thinset, like FlexBond, to the consistency of peanut butter with a drill and mixing paddle. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes after mixing.

6. Spread thinset directly onto the concrete surface with a notched trowel that is sized appropriately for the size of the tile (see Tips). Begin in an area that is the farthest away from high traffic areas and entrance and exit points. Lay tile into the wet thinset immediately. Use spacers to space the tile and make the grout line uniform. Allow the thinset to dry for 24 hours before walking on the tile.

7. Mix a bag of sanded grout to the consistency of peanut butter and let it rest for 10 minutes. Spread the grout with a grout float. Force the grout into the grout lines so the grout lines are completely filled to avoid any holes or crevices that may cave in later. Grout must cure for 72 hours before you apply sealer to the grout lines.

8. Seal the grout with a high quality sealer that will penetrate into the grout to keep water and stains out. If you are installing a natural stone tile, apply one coat of sealer to the tile before grouting. Sealer will help keep the dye in the grout from discoloring the stone. When the grout has cured, apply two more coats of sealer to the grout and the tile. When the sealer is dry, the tiled surface is ready for normal use.

Tips & Warnings

• 6 x 6 tiles: 1/4 x 1/4 x 1/4 trowel

• 12 x 12 tiles: 1/4 x 1/4 x 3/8 trowel

• 16 x 16 or larger tiles: ½ x ½ x ½ trowel

• To avoid tile breakage, install tile that is appropriate for your climate.

References

• Ron Hazelton's House Calls: How to Make a Tile Patio
• DIY Network: How to Tile a Porch