There are few things quite as satisfying as renovating and redecorating. Dreaming up that new interior design, settling on a new colour scheme, or simply getting around to the job you’ve had on the backburners since you moved in.
When it comes to building steps outside – to a front porch, doorsteps, in the garden or at the end of a driveway – one of the most effective, long-lasting and attractive styles you can choose is tiles. Outdoor tiles for steps come in many different shapes and sizes, and depending on the material offer different advantages.
In this guide for homeowners in Ireland, we take a quick but educated look at the best materials available for outdoor or garden steps, as well as some of the key considerations you can make when deciding whether or not tiled steps are right for you. We finish with an easy-to-follow installation guide for fitting outdoor tiles for steps in Ireland.
Best Exterior Tiles for Doorsteps Materials
Doorsteps, garden steps, patio steps, you name it. Wherever you’re considering tiling steps in your outdoor space, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at the three most popular material options for modern tiles for steps outside.
Natural stone
A timeless classic, natural stone paving slabs are some of the most popular patio, driveway and garden path materials here at Tile Merchant, and for good reason.
Pros
The aesthetic appeal of natural stone – be it sandstone or our new Egyptian limestone from the Red Sea – is evident at a glance; appealing to something deeply primal. Natural stone tiles for outdoor steps are also strong, durable, easy to install and one of the more affordable tile materials. Thanks to the natural grain of stone, these tiles also have an innate anti-slip quality – fundamental when choosing tiles for steps, to ensure your and your family’s safety.
Cons
The single noteworthy downside to natural stone paving slabs for your outdoor steps is that for them to last you’ll need to re-seal them on an annual basis. Cleaning tiles for outdoor steps is fairly simple, but natural stone must be properly sealed or else mildew can grow, and water can gradually wear the stone down. A sealant also helps against UV rays, which tend to diminish the vibrancy of your natural stone tiles’ colour over time.
Stylish granite slabs adding a touch of sophistication to your outdoor project in Dublin.
Granite
Granite is another good option for outdoor stairs, owing in large part to its natural weather resistance.
Pros
An extremely tough, durable material, our granite outdoor tiles are sourced from the same quarry we’ve been working with for decades. Naturally weather-resistant, granite makes a good choice for raising steps in your garden because it is also non-slip.
Cons
As with other natural stones, granite must be sealed and treated in order to function effectively as entrance doorstep tiles, etc. They require annual resealing and semi-regular spot checks to make sure they are in good shape. Moreover, granite paving slabs tend toward the darker end of the tonal scale, so may not complement the aesthetic of every garden or home exterior.
Outdoor Porcelain
The crème de la crème of outdoor tiles for steps materials, porcelain is our go-to recommendation for anyone planning to, or even just playing with the idea of tiling stairs outside.
Pros
All of our 20mm-thick outdoor porcelain tiles are naturally non-slip, frost-resistant and UV-resistant. This means that not only will they never crack nor fade, they are also super porous, staying grippy even when Ireland’s weather is at its worst.
Porcelain is a fantastic blank canvas, too, and can be worked to resemble a number of different materials (such as our limestone-, sandstone- and concrete-effect outdoor porcelain).
The combinations of colours, textures, shapes and finishes (gloss or matte) in our range of outside porcelain tiles is extensive as well, ensuring our Irish customers can always find something to compliment their existing home and garden décor.
Cons
Owing to the longevity of porcelain (if properly installed, your porcelain tile steps should last you decades), as well as its uniquely weather-resistant properties, it is one of the more expensive materials to use.
Continue reading on Tile Merchant blog "Outdoor Tiles for Steps: An Irish Guide to Choosing and Installing the Right Materials"
