When choosing a tile you need to be certain that it will be up to the task at hand. That means ensuring that it is designed for the right purpose and that you have chosen a reputable manufacture and tiles company. A good starting point is to look at the array of products on offer by International MTC.
These are high-quality tiles. But, taking a look at the tiles on offer will also help you to understand the styles available and the difference between outside and inside tiles.
Statuario Lastra
This stunning indoor tile is designed to replicate marble and add a touch of elegance to any space. It is durable, highly polished, and designed to go on your walls, in any room of the house.
The Plaza
This is another classic Italian-style tile that belongs inside your home. It can be used in the bathroom or any other room of your house. Each tile has a seemingly endless collection of small chips that allow the tile to be seen as a myriad of different colors, depending on the angle you are stood at. It is a fascinating indoor wall tile that is worth considering.
Los Angeles
The Los Angeles is an outdoor wood tile. This gives you a stunning look for any floor, it is offered in a wide variety of shades, including walnut, white, and almond. Although this can handle being outside, it is also an effective inside choice, making it one of the few options that can be used inside or outside.
Inside Tiles
Inside tiles are generally made with porcelain or ceramic. These tiles have a glossy finish which is very good at repelling water. This is important when you have tiles in the bathroom or kitchen and you want to be able to clean them easily. At the same time, you don’t want the water going through the tile and into your walls. That will cause an impressive amount of damage and a large repair bill.
While indoor floor tiles tend to be thicker and less polished than wall tiles, they do have the same basic characteristics and neither of these tiles should be used outside on the floor.
It is possible to use them on the walls outside. But, they may not last very long.
Outside Tiles
Outside tiles are much stronger than inside tiles. They have to put up with a lot more traffic than inside tiles. For example, outside tiles will have foot traffic, kid’s toys, such as scooters, and possibly even heavier stuff like wheelbarrows and cars.
Alongside this, an outside tile needs to be more porous. It is dangerous to have them repel water as this means the water will sit on their surface, potentially making the surface slippery and increasing the likelihood of people falling over.
As well as safety risks, the outside tile needs to allow water through to prevent the ground from drying out underneath the tile. If this happens the tiles can move and cause problems.
Alongside this, if outside tiles have the hard polished finish that inside tiles do, they will not stand up to the elements. The hot and cold of normal weather systems will quickly cause the tile to crack, leaving you with a repair bill.
Final Thoughts
It is never advisable to use indoor tiles outside your home, they will cause you issues and end up being more expensive in the long run. But, you can use outside tiles inside your home, if you wish. They will only be suitable for the floors due to the weight of the tiles. But, it can create a pleasant effect.
