How to Build an Outdoor Patio With Tiles
Installing tile outdoors is much like installing them indoors so the conventions of planning the layout, working with thinset, cutting tiles and grouting are all consistent skills. Prior to laying outdoor tiles, ensure you choose a type that is suitable for outdoor areas and can withstand the weather of your specific area. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Chalk liner
- Framing square
- Thinset mortar
- Bucket
- Mixing paddle
- Flat trowel
- Notched trowel
- Tiles
- Plastic spacers
- Margin trowel
- Beater board
- Rubber mallet
- Latex-reinforced sanded grout
Instructions
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Begin by snapping the reference lines using a chalk liner. For a patio with an exposed outer edge, plan for whole tile along that edge and tile back toward the house so that the cuts will marry up to the house. Use a framing square to check that the lines are at a 90-degree angle.
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Dry lay the tiles with plastic spacers in an area of approximately 9 square feet to ensure that area is visually appropriate.
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Mix the thinset mortar in a bucket using a mixing paddle until it is just stiff enough to cling to a trowel held vertically for a few seconds. Apply the mortar to one section of the patio grid using a flat trowel. Then, comb it with a trowel with notches that are appropriately sized for your tile type.
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Starting with the tile at the prominent corner or edge of the patio, begin setting the tiles. Use a margin trowel to back-butter the tiles as you continue. Work from the outer edge back toward the wall of the house. Use plastic spacers and a straight-edge to ensure proper alignment and an even surface.
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Bed the tiles by placing a beater board over them and hitting with a rubber mallet.
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Repeat the process by applying an area of thinset, laying sections of tile and bedding with a beater board until the patio is covered.
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Since outdoor tile projects require such a thick bed of mortar, you will need to let it cure for a few days before walking on the tiles. Once the mortar is dry, grout the tiles using a latex-reinforced sanded grout.
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