Can You Lay Outdoor Tiles Over Concrete?
If your concrete patio or driveway looks tired, it might be time for a patio makeover! You don’t have to be a professional landscaper – just use your project skills and some tricks of the trade.
Instead of lifting the old patio, simply cover the existing concrete patio with outdoor porcelain tiles. With no extra digging to do, and you can finish the project in half the time. Interested? Keep reading for more information!
Why Would You Want To Put Tiles Over Concrete?
There are two main reasons you might want to use your cement paving as a base for porcelain tile.
First, it’s a lot easier. You don’t have to buy cement underlay from the tile store and dig up your slab to get started. Second, a cement slab gives you a solid foundation for an outdoor use patio.
Unlike outdoor tiling that has an underlay, cement paving is embedded in the ground.
This is good news if you want to install a brand new patio on top – your foundation layer is already established!
Which Tiles Are Best For Laying On Concrete?
If you want to try your hand at this method, you’ll need a few instructions.
The first thing to get right is the materials you’ll be using. Typically, patios and driveways are made from porcelain tile, ceramic tile, stone tile, or composite materials. Of course, there are pros and cons to each – especially if you’re laying them on proper foundations.
If you’re laying tile on old slabs, the best material to use is porcelain. Porcelain is typically applied on a cement underlay anyway, but this underlay is no different from the old cement slab you already have – in some ways, your slab is better!
Will A Concrete Base Affect Drainage?
Cement is one of the better materials to use as a foundation for installing tile.
Cement is a porous material that soaks up water. It also allows water to seep back into the ground. And it is quite resilient when water freezes.
This is why you don’t want to use a cement slab for your main patio or driveway; it absorbs water and makes it slippery to walk on. But, as a foundation, it works well. Cement foundations are ideal for porcelain tile because they create a strong bond with the earth.
In short, your existing cement patio won’t affect drainage anymore than a brand new cement underlay. Still, since your cement paving is already there, it should provide sufficient drainage for your porcelain tile.
Laying Outdoor Tiles On A Concrete Slab: Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Clean and prepare the concrete
First, clean the surface of the old slab with a pressure washer, a damp sponge and an industrial cleaning brush; this takes off any dirt and grime and prepares the surface for bonding the grout joints. For heavily soiled areas, a specialist cleaner may be used to help remove dirt and grime.
Step 2: Measure and dry-lay
Before you put down your tile on the crack isolation membrane, it’s a good idea to do a dry surface run first. Layout the tile to see how it looks and make sure you have enough available – account for breakages.
Step 3: Lay your tiles
To put down your tile, mix the thin-set mortar and use a trowel to spread the mortar onto the cement. Next, position the tile carefully using a spacer to keep the joints even all the way.
Step 4: Grout
Remove the spacers and clean out excess mortar with a utility knife or a trowel. Mix and apply grout in the spaces. When you’ve finished, wash the tile to remove any excess grout for presentable, clean joints.
Step 5: Seal
The grout in the outdoor cement needs to be sealed – but not right away. Let the grout cure for two weeks, then apply a water-resistant grout seal for the perfect tile installation.
FAQs
What is the best base for outdoor porcelain tile?
This tile is usually laid on top of a cement underlay, so cement foundations are an ideal alternative – especially if you have them already.
Can I lay new tiles over existing patio slabs?
If the base is cement, then you can, and it’s recommended. If the base is tile, you might have to excavate it first and put down some cement underlay and isolation membranes.
Why is a solid bed important for patio tiles?
You want your tile installation project to be even and avoid subsidence, so a solid foundation is necessary. Luckily, an existing cement bed of any kind works well.
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