When you choose tiling to cover the floor of your patio, terrace, outdoor entertainment room or poolside deck and walkway, you will gain major visual enhancements and other benefits. There are many factors to take into account since it is a type of flooring that must be able to withstand both high and low temperatures as well as other extreme weather conditions. In addition, although the technical aspects are fundamental, we also have to find a floor that visually pleases us, since on the terrace or in the garden we will spend some of the best moments during the summer season.
Exterior floors must have certain inbuilt characteristics. In addition to resisting high temperatures and other inclement weather, they must meet other requirements, such as the fact that the floor is anti-slip, as these are areas where water and the way we walk can cause falls due to slipping. Another essential issue to consider is maintenance, the cost and effort of which can vary greatly depending on the type of material used. It is also important to think carefully about the colour of the floor, as light colours reflect too much light and dirt is very noticeable, while dark colours absorb heat and overheat.
Different types of exterior flooring
Selecting the best flooring for patios, gardens, and other outdoor areas you might come across in your work is crucial to finish off your design so it looks coherent. Also, you can make or break the overall feel of your design by choosing one material, colour and/or pattern over the other – so make sure to carefully address every detail. There are plenty of options to choose from, each more suitable for a different type of facility, a different target and different styles and moods.
Stamped concrete flooring
Stamped concrete flooring, also known as patterned concrete or imprinted concrete, uses rubber stamps designed from “real stone” molds to imprint the concrete to resemble natural brick, slate, cobblestone, tile, and even wood planks. It can be applied as an overlay that goes over your existing concrete slab or can be imprinted into freshly-poured concrete before it hardens. Stamping is a decorative treatment for new concrete surfaces. Stamped concrete has mid-range compressive strength, usually between 3000 to 4000 psi, and lasts decades if well maintained. There are three procedures used in stamped concrete that separate it from other concrete procedures; the addition of a base colour, the addition of an accent colour, and stamping a pattern into the concrete. These three procedures provide stamped concrete with a colour and shape similar to the natural building material. The application of this type of flooring includes Sit-outs, Drive-ways, Pool-decks, Pergolas, Patios, Spa-areas, Path-ways etc.
Permeable resin flooring
The permeable gravel flooring is used in parking lots, sidewalks, low-traffic areas, and driveways. This type of flooring is suitable for different conditions that include hot climates, high-speed traffic areas, and less-travelled areas. The maintenance requirements of the permeable gravel floor are quite different. It is prone to clogging if the water in the reservoir isn’t drained out properly. Permeable gravel floor is a special resin bound aggregate surface for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Permeable gravel floors are decorative and functional, seamless and slightly flexible. The formulated floor surface allows water to drain through to the base, eliminating water ponding and allowing water to drain. The surfacing may be applied to compacted soil or over permeable concrete. Permeable gravel floor provides an attractive porous surface which is strong enough for foot and light vehicle traffic.
Modern resin gravel comes with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS. It is designed to reduce the potential impact of new and existing developments with respect to surface water drainage discharges. The idea behind SuDS is to try to replicate natural systems that use cost effective solutions with low environmental impact to drain away dirty and surface water run-off through collection, storage, and cleaning before allowing it to be released slowly back into the environment, such as into water courses
Sports court flooring
Court flooring is a great addition to the backyard, sports arena or gymnasium, providing the perfect surface for practice and pickup games. Court sport flooring is designed to provide a safe, level surface for playing and practising outdoors. Constructed of hard plastic, hardwood or vinyl, our court flooring is more shock-absorbent than concrete and provides excellent support for the sport of your choice. Some are designed for multisport use, while others are special court sports flooring kits for outdoor basketball courts, pickleball courts, and more.
Composite deck flooring
It is a man-made material composed of thermoplastic resins, wood flour (a super-fine sawdust), and wood fibre. It is similar to many of the best types of vinyl flooring, but it includes wood by-products as well as plastics. It’s hard and nonporous, meaning it resists rot and the elements. It may also be less expensive than traditional wood. Just like some of the best-engineered wood flooring, many types of composite decking come in a click-together flooring configuration making for a quick and easy installation. Composite wood decking gives you the best of both worlds. With modern technology, you can achieve a gorgeous, realistic wood look without the challenges of traditional wood. Composite decks, like vinyl floors, bring you realistic wood looks without any of the hassles.
Outdoor carpet flooring
These carpets are often very short, low pile carpets similar to what you see in an office. Even low pile carpet is naturally soft and comforting, and there are more options available that what you might expect. Many outdoor carpets are available in carpet tiles, which lets designers mix and match colours to create fun, unique designs. You also get outdoor rugs which allow you to change the décor quickly. The outdoor carpet is a versatile decorative feature that can brighten an open-air living space with a splash of colour or eye-catching pattern while providing a comfortable surface for padding around in bare feet.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that the best outdoor flooring needs to suit your needs, so keep comfort in mind along with any plans for your property in the future. Watch out for the flooring types while you are installing new floors and rehabilitating them.