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Exterior cladding is a popular way to add character, warmth, and style to your home. It can also play a role in protecting your house from weather damage. Read on for all the details about tiles, types of tiles, and exterior cladding options available to you.

When choosing tiles for your home’s exterior walls, make sure to look for high-quality ones with low porosity. Tiles with low porosity will resist fading, even with the most intense sunlight. Porous tiles are more likely to crack and fall off the wall. If you choose tiles with low porosity, you can seal them to prevent damage and to crack.

Choosing Tiles for Your Home’s Exterior Walls

Though tile is generally used inside, it’s a better option outside. Exterior tiles are made to stand up to harsh weather conditions. They are acid-resistant and resistant to dirt, acid rain, and other harmful pollutants. 

Choose wisely when selecting tile for exterior walls. However, don’t make the mistake of choosing the wrong type. You’ll regret it if you decide on inappropriate material for your home’s exterior walls.

Tiles for Your Home's Exterior Walls
Source: Henry & Co. /unsplash

There are many benefits of choosing to tile for your home’s exterior walls. This natural material is durable and requires minimal maintenance. Since it’s made from natural stones or clay, tiling is a durable option that requires little upkeep. Once you have decided on the design, you need to consider the project’s overall cost. 

Consider your budget and the size of the space you want to cover.

It’s Time to Think About Your Home’s Exterior Wall Tiles

Home's Exterior Wall Tiles
Source: Ricardo Gomez Angel /unsplash

When you’re ready to start your exterior wall tile project, there are a few things you need to know about the different types of tiles and their benefits. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Types of exterior wall tiles: There are a few different types of exterior wall tiles that you can choose from, including ceramic, porcelain, vinyl, stone, and composite tiles. Each has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s essential to decide which one is best for your project.
  • Ceramic tiles: They are known for their durability and resistance to fading and staining. They also have high thermal conductivity, which means they heat up quickly in the summertime. However, they don’t usually hold up well against water damage or weathering.
  • Porcelain tiles: Porcelain tiles are another durable type of tile often used on exterior walls because of their shine and colour-retention ability. They can be challenging to install because they require a high level of precision when laying them down, but they have a very low coefficient of thermal expansion, which means they don’t contract or expand much when heated or cooled.

Investing in exterior wall tiles is a wise decision

When you are looking to update your exterior walls, there are a few things to keep in mind.

  • First, think about the climate where you live. If your area is prone to harsh weather conditions, like rain and snow, then it might be worth investing in tiles that are resistant to those elements. 
  • Second, think about the theme of your home. If you have a modern or contemporary design, for example, then opting for tiles with a sleek and stylish look might be the best decision for you. 
  • Finally, think about your budget. While some tiles can be expensive, others are much less so. So do your research and decide what will look best on your home and fit your budget.

Exterior Wall Tiles: How Durable Do You Need Them to Be?

When you’re looking for exterior wall tiles, durability is vital. You want tiles that will last through the harshest weather conditions without flaking or crumbling. 

Here’s what you need to know about exterior wall tiles and their durability.

Exterior Wall Tiles
Source: Scott Webb /unsplash

Tiles for exterior walls are made of various materials, including ceramic, porcelain, metal, and plastic. Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks.

  • Ceramic tiles are the most durable option for exterior walls. They’re resistant to water damage, wear well in harsh weather conditions, and look beautiful over time. However, they can be pricey and challenging to install. 
  • Porcelain tiles are a good compromise between cost and durability. They’re less expensive than ceramic tiles but strong enough to withstand harsh weather conditions.
  • Metal tiles are the least durable option for exterior walls. They can rust easily and are not as resistant to water damage as other tile types. 
  • Plastic tiles are the least expensive option for exterior walls but have the lowest durability rating of all the possibilities. They may not survive prolonged exposure to weather conditions or be as attractive over time as other tile types.

Is Tile For Exterior Walls: Is It Weather Resistant?

Tile for exterior walls can be used in various weather conditions, but it is essential to ensure the tile is correctly installed and sealed to prevent water seepage. When choosing tile for exterior walls, be sure to consider the climate where your home is located. 

For example, if you live in a humid area, tiles designed to resist water damage may not be sufficient.

When installing tile on exterior walls, be sure to use an approved sealant like silicone or acrylic sealant. This will help protect the tile from dirt and moisture and prolong your tile’s life.

In Today’s Homes, Are Exterior Wall Tiles Appropriate?

Exterior wall tiles have been used for centuries to add beauty and privacy to homes. While there are many types of exterior wall tile, this article will focus on the most common type: ceramic.

When deciding whether or not exterior wall tiles are suitable for your home, it’s essential to consider a few things. 

  • First, what kind of look are you going for? Do you want a traditional look with brick or stone-like colours? Or would you prefer something more modern and sleek? 
  • Second, is privacy important to you? Exterior wall tiles can be a great way to add privacy to your home without installing a fence or wall. 
  • And finally, do you live in an area prone to water damage? Ceramic exterior wall tiles can be tricky and weatherproof, which is great if you live where the ground regularly floods.

Exterior Wall Tiles options to choose from

When it comes to exterior wall tiles, there are a variety of options available. You can choose from ceramic, porcelain, travertine, slate, and many other options.

To help you choose the right tile for your exterior wall, we’ve put together this guide. 

Quarry 

Quarry

Up until quite recently, quarry tiles used for external walls were obtained from actual quarries located in the surrounding area. Clay that has not been sifted and is very solid is all they are made of at this point. 

Tiles made from quarry rock are an excellent choice for the outer walls of a building in almost all climates. The only exception is in environments with year-round low

temperatures. since quarry rock is known to lose heat quickly. On the other hand, they are an excellent choice for a patio. Despite being able to withstand water, they become very hazardous when wet. 

On the other hand, quarry outdoor wall tiles are known for their exceptional resistance to stains. They are not always the ideal choice when dealing with youngsters.

Ceramic 

Ceramic

Ceramic exterior wall tiles can withstand most environmental factors, including stains and scratches. They are resistant to water and a wide variety of bacteria, which makes them uncommon to find in their unglazed state. Ceramic is a well-liked material for use throughout the inside of a house, particularly for surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom countertops. 

Despite this, it does not rule out the possibility of using ceramic on the outside of a building as a facade material. Ceramic floor tiles are an excellent alternative for outdoor wall tiles since they are more affordable than other options. In addition, ceramic outdoor wall tiles need little upkeep and are easy to replace if they begin to show signs of wear.

Granite

Granite

Granite is one of the most challenging and durable stones available, making it an excellent choice for the construction of external wall tiles. The standard for tiles used on exterior walls is glazed and polished granite. Because of the outside wall tiles’ high strength, they have a longer lifespan and are thus better able to withstand the effects of harsh weather. 

A few limitations should be considered while using granite tiles on an outside wall. Outdoor wall tiles like these, which are porous, must be treated or laminated regularly to prevent them from being damaged. 

Granite cladding for external walls comes at a very high cost. If you want to renovate a large section of your house, you should steer clear of choosing a granite exterior tile design unless you already have the money for it or are willing to spend more than you had planned.

Soapstone

Soapstone

They are so impervious to moisture and stains that soapstone tiles are well suited for use on exterior walls. It is not affected by the sun’s heat or other severe climatic conditions. 

Because of their silky, smooth surface, soapstone wall tiles are an excellent choice for interior design. When it comes to stacking tiles around your pool or patio, soapstone exterior wall tiles are the best choice you have available. There are several reasons for this.

Travertine

Travertine

There are quarries for the kind of limestone known as travertine in Turkey and China, in addition to other locations across the world. The mine from which travertine is mined may affect the water resistance of the tile, which in turn influences the quality of the tile as a whole. 

Because of how tough it is, it will last a very long time. Travertine’s naturally rough surface makes it an excellent material for outdoor tile design. However, it is feasible to have it reworked in some way. It is also an incredible bargain for tiles for use on exterior walls.

Natural stone

Natural stone

The design of Indian exterior tiles often incorporates natural stone. They may be found in several forms, such as an imitation stone that is thinner than the real thing or abstract formations made out of authentic stone. For the design of outdoor wall tiles, you may work with any kind of natural stone.

Cement-based material

When cement is used to make wall tiles for the outside of a building, the walls look old and weathered. Making use of a selection of cement exterior wall tiles in various colours makes the home seem wonderful on the inside and outside.

Wall Before Putting Up Exterior Wall Tiles
Source: DLKR /unsplash

How Do You Prepare A Wall Before Putting Up Exterior Wall Tiles?

Exterior cladding is a great way to update your home’s exterior and add a touch of luxury. But before you start installing tiles, there are a few things you need to know. Here are the basics:

1. Choose the right material. You don’t want your wall to look cheap or tacky, so select a sturdy material that will last years. You can choose traditional cladding materials like stucco or brick or opt for more contemporary options like glass or metal panels.

2. Prep the surface. Before you start installing tiles, you need to prepare the surface. This includes cleaning any existing stains or dirt, sanding down any rough edges, and then priming and painting if necessary.

3. Get the correct tile size. When choosing tiles for an exterior wall, it’s important to remember that they need to be large enough to stick out from the wall but not so large that they take up too much space. Try going with larger tiles instead of smaller ones—this will give your wall a more dramatic appearance.

4. Get creative with your design. Once you have chosen your tiles and prepared the surface, it reflects your creative side!

Final point

Keep these specifics regarding tiles, tile varieties, and external cladding alternatives close to hand for easy access whenever you need them. Because you never know when you may want their assistance!