Change your outdoor space with interlocking patio tiles. Our guide covers easy installation, designs, and maintenance tips for a beautiful, long-lasting patio.
Interlocking patio tiles [1] are an innovative product designed to be used for both specific temporary applications, but that have the durability to transfer outdoors. This provides a solid and stunning base for patios and walkways. Each tile has edges that lock in to the next one, like puzzle pieces.
At Lapis Patios, we’ve been installing these incredible outdoor floors for households in Charlotte, NC and Lake Wylie, SC for over a decade. We’ve seen how they can transform a dull backyard into an incredible outdoor living space. This allows them to be very easy to install, quite sturdy, and also very customizable.
If you are looking for an easy and pretty way to enhance your yard, we have got ya! Read on to find out more about interlocking patio tiles and it’s uses!
Key Takeaways
- Easy to Install: Interlocking tiles are designed for easy do-it-yourself installation. You snap them together and create a new patio in less than a day.
- Very Strong: You can install Wear Deck flooring anywhere you would like the look of real wood without cracking and splitting concerns from snow, ice, or heavy use. The lock makes them able to expand and contract as temperatures heat up and cool down.
- Plenty of Design Choices: From materials to colors to styles, you are in the driver’s seat. You can even be fancy and make cool patterns like herringbone or basket weave to match your house.
What Are Interlocking Patio Tiles?
You have found the answer for how to fix a perfected floor covering with our interlocking patio tiles!panels! Each tile is a single piece with unique edges that interlock with other tiles. It’s like constructing with big, flat LEGOs for your yard.
The pieces fit to create a solid, level floor that sits above the ground. This clever design distributes weight, so that the floor will not rock, it can be laid over concrete, plywood or even compact dirt.
It’s the locking mechanism that makes it all function. The majority of the tiles I have tabs on 1 side and loops on the other. You basically put them in a row and press down.
You’ll feel a “click” when they snap together. This is a good strong bond that helps the tiles from shifting. And that they don’t use grout makes it easy to pull up a tile and replace it if one becomes damaged.
We’ve worked with all kinds of tile. Many homeowners find them to be the ideal type of outdoor flooring for patios because each material has some good things going for it in the realm of your outdoor flooring.
These are some materials that interlocking patio tiles are commonly made of:
- Concrete: This is an amazingly strong choice and a classic one.
- Porcelain:This provides a clean, contemporary appearance and is easy to maintain.
- Rubber: It’s soft and safe, ideal for play areas.
- Wood Composite: Achieve the appearance of wood with less upkeep.
- Plastic: A lightweight option that is also budget-friendly and has excellent drainage.
ProTip: Consider your weather when choosing material for the patio and how you’ll use it. Matting rubber or composite mats are good for wet areas, and fancy-pantsy porcelain looks sharp on a covered porch.
The Top 5 Key Benefits of Interlocking Patio Tiles
“People absolutely love the locks, they’re just so strong and effortless,” based on our experience with interlocking tiles. They provide a lot of great benefits which also makes us happy to carry them for any outdoor space.
Its durability is up there with the best of them. These tiles are built to withstand outdoor life, from heavy patio chairs to a lot of people walking on them. It’s “because of the way they lock together to form one solid surface.” This diffuses the weight and prevents individual tiles from breaking.
These outdoor tiles are also fabulous in any weather. Rain can drain through gaps in the tiles. That means no giant puddles to dodge and less slipping. It’s also good for your yard because it allows rainwater to return to the ground, making them one of several excellent eco-friendly patio flooring ideas available today.
Additionally, the locking mechanism means that the entire patio can expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. This is to prevent the cracks which can occur with solid concrete patios.
Outdoors is very important to safety. Many interlocking deck tiles have a pebbled or bumpy surface to provide traction even when the tiles are wet. This makes them suitable for placement around pools or on paths.
And lastly, they’re incredibly easy to install and maintain. You don’t need glue, so putting them in is a neat and easy task. And if a tile gets a bad stain or cracks, you can slide that single tile out and replace it. You don’t need to redesign the entire patio. This will save you time and money throughout the years.
Simplified Installation Guide
One of the best things about interlocking patio tiles is that installation isn’t a long-term commitment. Although at Lapis Patios we are always prepared to do an excellent job for you, it’s good to be informed. It’s a bit like piecing together a giant puzzle.
You connect each of it, one by one, to complete a beautiful, smooth floor. There are three primary parts to the process.
1. Preparing the Base
Good patios start with good bases. Your tile base must be level and secure so the tiles don’t shift. If you are tiling over a concrete patio, graft the same thin-set from the foundation and stucco the mesh to it. If you’re laying them over grass, there are a few additional steps.
We excavate the area, lay down and compact a bed of gravel and sand. This is a sturdy foundation that has good drainage. We also ensure the base has a slight pitch away from your home so rain can drain off.
2. Laying the Tiles
Once the base is set, now comes the fun part. We typically begin in a corner and work our way back, toward the house. You put the first tile down.
You do the same with the next tile, but you align its locking edges to the first. Simply press down firmly and the tiles click together. You do this enough times that soon you have more tiles, and more rows, than the whole area.
3. Securing the Joints
With all the tiles in their place, the final step is to lock them tight. This is achieved by sweeping special sand, it’s called polymeric sand, all over the tiles.
The sand gets up in between the tiles. This keeps them in place and prevents weeds from growing through. A little water makes the sand hard. Voila, your new patio is done and ready to use.
Design and Aesthetic Options
Interlocking patio tiles allow you to be creative with your outdoor space. Not just for walking on, they’re a way to express your personal style. There are so many different shapes, colors and materials to choose from that you can create a bespoke look that matches your home.
We discover that people are frequently delighted by the abundance of options. You can choose tiles that mimic natural stone, warm wood or classic bricks. They can be subdued, like dark gray, or bright and postmodern. This enables you to create a space that feels like part of your home.
These are a few of the most popular designs you can create with interlocking tiles:
- Herringbone: A timeless V-shape that is always attractive. [2]
- Basket Weave: Produces an attractive, woven pattern.
- Geometric: For bold, modern looks in different colors.
These tiles work well with other parts of your backyard to create a finished look. Consider a smooth patio that transitions to a stone-style path winding through a garden. The tiles are building block-like so it’s simple to organize separate zones in your yard.
These common yard fixtures would be perfect for your new patio:
- Fire Pits: Create a comfortable circle of tiles around your fire pit.
- Garden Paths: Create beautiful paths in your garden with tiles.
- Pool Decks: Lay non-skid tiles around your pool.
Putting together your dream patio is like painting a masterpiece, and the tiles are your paints. You can customize styles to create various sections.
Wood-style tiles might work best for a seating area while stout concrete tiles are better for near the grill. The possibilities are nearly limitless and we can help you create a space that works for you!
Maintenance and Longevity Tips
One of the many pros about interlocking patio tiles is, beyond how fast the installation can be completed with these patio decking tiles and even if you have plenty to join together, are not only easy to maintain.
From our years of experience, we’ve learned that a little bit of care will keep your outdoor floor looking new for ages. Take a few simple measures to turn your patio into an appealing place where you like to spend your time.
The key is to clean regularly. We recommend you keep your tiles swept to remove any dirt and leaves. For a slightly more thorough cleaning, simply rinse the patio down using a garden hose. If you have stubborn patches, use water and a brush. Avoid using heavy chemicals that can damage the tiles.
Through the years, the sand between the tiles may get washed away. joints between tiles should be inspected each year. If you wind up with gaps, sweep more sand into them. Then spray a bit of water to help the sand settle. That small job maintains the entire patio solid.
When installed properly and taken care of, your interlocking tiles can last you 20 years or so. The sturdy materials and clever locking design result in a floor that you can count on lasting for years.
And, if one tile somehow breaks, you can simply replace that one tile. That’s a big plus over concrete.
ProTip: Maintaining your tiles in good conditions can help them last for more than 20 years! It’s really just a question of sweeping and checking the sand from time to time.”
How to Select the Best Interlocking Patio Tiles
The most enjoyable part is choosing the top-quality interlocking tiles for your backyard. But with its long, mysterious list of options, it can also feel overwhelming. Since we are outdoor experts, people in the Charlotte and Lake Wylie areas ask us how to make these decisions all the time.
Put simply, we recommend considering three factors: the strength of the material, color/style preferences and whether you need a non-slip surface. Considering these elements is key to choosing the best outdoor flooring for patios that will suit your home for years to come.
After all, the material you select will have an impact on the look of your patio as well as its longevity. Imagine what you want to do on your patio. Will there be lots of parties and running around, or will it be a quiet place to read? Good materials are good for various things.
Here is some guidance for how to select a material:
- Choose concrete tiles if … you want a super-durable surface that can handle heavy use.
- Choose porcelain tiles when… you love the upscale look but not the price of marble.
- Opt for wood composite tiles when… you want the look of wood but less of the maintenance.
Next consider color and style. Your patio ought to be in keeping with your home. We recommend choosing a color you like with the outside of your house. For instance, a dark gray tile might work well with a light house. The style of the tile is also a consideration, whether it resembles stone, wood or brick.
Finally, consider safety, particularly if your patio is close to a pool or in a location that experiences heavy rainfall. For wet areas, an anti-slip surface is particularly important.
Here are some suggestions for making safe decisions:
- Most appropriate for: When safety is paramount, like in a kids’ play area.
- Opt for textured tiles when… you are looking for a not-so-subtle blend of style and safety in any space.
Consider these things, and you’ll be able to choose the best interlocking tiles so that you have a beautiful and functional outdoor space.
Multifunctional with Outdoors Its Versatile To Use In Any Outdoor Space
The beauty of interlocking outdoor tiles is that you can use them in countless ways. They are not just for patios. Strong, safe and stylish, they are a great option for outdoor flooring. We take them at Lapis Patios and we turn all sorts of different parts of a yard into an attractive and useful living space.
Here are some of the most creative ways to use these pliant tiles:
- Patios – this is the number one use. They can cover an old concrete patio or cruddy patch of grass overlooking the pool to create a perfect space for parties and chill-laxing.
- Decks: Resurrect an old wooden deck to its former glory by covering it with interlocking deck tiles. You can put them directly on top of the old wood.
- Walkways: Create lovely and safe walkways for your garden or yard. They provide a stable path to walk.
- Pool Areas: Rubber and plastic tiles are not only green, but they’re good for use around swimming poor. Their excellent drainage also keeps puddles from developing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put interlocking tiles directly on my bumpy grass lawn?
While it might seem like an easy shortcut, you should not place interlocking patio tiles directly onto an uneven lawn. For your outdoor patio to be level, safe, and long-lasting, the ground underneath needs to be prepared first. This important step involves leveling the dirt and putting down a solid base of sand and gravel. This ensures your new outdoor flooring is stable and the deck tiles lock together perfectly without wobbling.
What should I do if I spill something like juice or barbecue sauce on my new tiles?
Most modern outdoor tiles are designed to be water resistant and stand up well to spills. If an accident happens, it is best to clean it up as soon as you can using some mild soap and water. For many types of patio tiles, this is all you need. The great thing about an interlocking deck is that if you ever get a really tough stain that won’t come out, you can simply unlock and replace that single tile.
How do interlocking deck tiles feel when you walk on them with bare feet?
The comfort of your outdoor flooring really depends on the material you choose. Rubber deck tiles, for instance, are very soft and bouncy, which is perfect for kids to play on. Wood composite outdoor tiles feel smooth and natural, and they won’t give you splinters. Even many hard plastic patio tiles are designed with a comfortable texture, making your outdoor patio a pleasant place to walk around barefoot.
Can I create custom patterns by mixing different colors of tiles?
Yes, absolutely! Mixing different colors is one of the most fun parts of designing your outdoor patio. You can easily create a beautiful, unique look that matches your style. For example, using dark gray patio tiles to make a border around lighter-colored tiles is a very popular design. You can also make stripes or checkerboard patterns with your outdoor tiles, giving your interlocking deck a truly custom feel.
If I sell my house and move, can I take my interlocking patio with me?
This is one of the special benefits of this type of outdoor flooring. Because the interlocking deck tiles are not glued or cemented down, you can unlock and pull them up. You can then stack your patio tiles and take them with you to your new home. This makes your investment in a beautiful outdoor patio a portable one that can move with your family, saving you money in the future.
Stepping Out In Style : Welcome to Your Dream Patio
See for yourself how interlocking patio tiles can transform any outdoor living space. These are strong, stylish and easy to use. Based on how easily they snap together, and the ease with which they handle water and weather, these tiles might make a good base to your dream yard.
The sheer volume of materials, colors and patterns means you can create a special space to show off your style, all while making your home more valuable.
It’s time to dream up your new outdoor space. Imagine drinking your morning coffee on a new patio or throwing a barbeque for friends.
If you have interlocking tiles, this is easier than you might expect. We think all people deserve a yard they’re proud of. We love helping to make those dreams reality with our quality work and awesome service.
Ready to turn your back yard into a lavish outdoor escape? Get free consultation today and have a team of experts work on your next project, all with unique and best quality professionalism. Contact Lapis Patios now.
References
- https://www.consumerreports.org/home-improvement/snap-together-patio-tiles/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herringbone_pattern