How to properly lay tiles on a porch with your own hands: materials and technology

A concrete porch needs a beautiful and durable cladding for many reasons. A material such as concrete does not look very beautiful in itself; moreover, without proper protection, it quickly begins to deteriorate from exposure to humidity and temperature changes. To prevent premature abrasion of concrete and the appearance of cracks, various cladding methods are used, the most common among them is tiling. There are different types of materials, and it is important to know how to properly install tiles on your porch.

Main types of tiles and features of their installation

Tiles are chosen for many reasons. This finish looks great and lasts a very long time; you can choose a material that is suitable in terms of strength, price and color; the porch will become a harmonious addition to the design of the entire house.

The choice of building materials for cladding today has expanded significantly; several new ones have been added to the usual options. Among the main solutions for finishing the porch are the following:

Porcelain tiles. This is a tile that is made from clay with various mineral additives, the composition is exposed to very high temperatures. As a result, the surface gains a very high density: such tiles can even exceed real granite in strength, and they will last for decades. Porcelain tile cladding can often be seen on the steps of shops, banks and other public places where dozens of people come every day.
Clinker tiles. This is a building material made from several types of clay that have undergone multi-stage pre-treatment. When firing, very high temperatures are used, as a result of which the mass acquires very high strength and density.

This is a durable, but quite expensive cladding that is perfect for the porch of a luxury home. This material can have any color; high decorative qualities are one of the main advantages.

Paving slabs are the most affordable solution. It’s not difficult to buy; you can select the material by color or then simply paint the finished tiled carpet. Paving slabs are easy to cut and lay; cement-sand mortar will be a very profitable option for a practical and cheap finish.

Disadvantages of different types of tiles

When deciding how to tile a porch, it is important to know about the disadvantages that each type of coating has. Porcelain tiles, like honed natural stone, can be too slippery, which can lead to nasty falls in winter.

It will be necessary to cover the space with rubber mats, which reduce the decorative qualities of the porch. You can immediately purchase tiles with a rough surface, this will significantly reduce the risk.

Clinker is a durable, but expensive option; not everyone can afford to purchase such tiles. It is also better to choose rough varieties to make the surface non-slip. Cheap paving slabs have their drawbacks - they are not the most durable coating.

Since the concrete will gradually deteriorate from moisture, after a few years the coating will have to be renewed. In addition, the top layer will be damaged when ice chips, and over time the tile will become unsightly.

The home owner will have to choose the optimal solution: you can buy durable and expensive tiles that will last for decades, or you can get by with minimal expenses, but the coating will soon have to be changed.

In any case, the concrete base must be smooth and dense, without cracks or other defects.

It is better to carry out cladding work as soon as possible after construction, since after the first winter the concrete base may become damaged, especially if it was not covered with a canopy.

What should the finish be like?

To make the right choice of how to decorate the porch of a house, it is necessary to take into account a number of circumstances. First of all, the porch is an outdoor structure; it is constantly exposed to aggressive environments; in addition, it experiences complex mechanical loads, because the soles of shoes with particles of sand and soil are not soft socks.

Finishing the porch of a wooden house with stone and concrete

Based on these operating conditions, it is quite obvious that the finishing for the porch should not be slippery, absorb moisture, and vice versa, it should be resistant to acids, alkalis, rot, tolerate temperature fluctuations well, not support the development of fungi and microorganisms, and be invulnerable to rodents . For finishing, properties such as fire resistance, resistance to abrasion, sun fading and impact are important. Also, the finish should be easy to care for: easy to wash, and if you have to clean something, there should be no scratches on the lining.

But besides the practical side, it is necessary that the finishing fits into the overall exterior, does not stand out from the overall design of the building’s cladding, and harmoniously combines with the landscape of the site and the surface of the paths.

Finishing the porch with paving slabs; the cladding can be selected by color; for finishing the edges, special elements made of paving stones with rounded edges are produced

Preparatory work before laying tiles

How to tile a porch? First of all, you need to decide on the design. The easiest way to choose cladding for a standard rectangular porch: you can choose standard square tiles, calculating the surface area: these are the top platform, treads, risers and sides of the porch, which also need finishing. You can choose a plain material or select tiles by color to lay out a decorative composition.

It is more difficult to calculate the pattern and location of the material for a semicircular porch. A large number of tiles will have to be cut, and everything needs to be calculated so that there are no too small pieces. If the tile area is less than 70% of the original one, such an element will peel off very quickly, leaving an unsightly hole in the coating.

When preparing for work, the concrete surface must be sanded, dust and other contaminants are removed from it, cracks and irregularities are eliminated using putty and grout.

If you intend to create a complex, interesting pattern, you must first lay the tiled carpet over the surface without glue, adjusting the elements to each other and cutting off the required amount of tiles.

After this, the pattern is transferred one element at a time onto a flat surface near the porch, so that when laying it, simply take one element at a time and transfer it to the adhesive composition.

To prepare the surface of the porch, a cement-sand screed is laid on it with a slope of several millimeters.

It is needed to ensure that water does not accumulate on the steps and the upper platform and ice does not form.

The preparatory layer must dry completely. Sometimes, for maximum strength of the base, it is reinforced with a metal mesh chain-link - this is an additional expense, but it will allow you to save on repairing the finished coating in the future.

Where to buy overhead treads and risers for finishing external concrete stairs?

The LOBAS company produces overhead treads and risers from concrete and supplies finished products not only within the region, but also to the most remote regions of Russia and even to the CIS countries. All products are manufactured in accordance with current GOST and SP standards and undergo quality control in independent laboratories.

You can select the product you are interested in from the catalog of overhead steps on our official website.

Overhead concrete treads and risers have the following performance characteristics:

increased strength and wear resistance;
low abrasion coefficient;
fire resistance;
frost resistance of at least 300 cycles;
low hygroscopicity;
increased resistance to chemically aggressive environments, rot and mold;
long service life;
environmental friendliness
low operating costs.

By purchasing overhead steps and risers from us, you receive high-quality products that meet all the stated characteristics. We also produce products according to individual parameters: geometry, color, size, texture. LOBAS company managers are always ready to answer all your questions regarding the creation of overhead steps and risers at any production stage: from drawings to shipment of finished products. Free phone number to contact employees. We will be happy to help you choose the best option for cladding the steps of the porch, taking into account the individuality of the order and your preferences.

The use of reinforced concrete overhead steps and risers as a covering material for an outdoor staircase is the most rational means for comfortable movement along the porch and creating a protective environment and an aesthetically attractive appearance among other materials. Possessing all the appropriate performance characteristics, an enviable variety of colors and textures and low cost, concrete products will protect the stairs from adverse climatic influences and will add a certain charm to the decorative composition of the house and the surrounding area.

The process of laying tiles on the porch

How to lay tiles on a porch with your own hands? To attach clinker and porcelain tiles, you will need to purchase a special adhesive composition: tile adhesive is offered in hardware stores in the form of a dry mixture.

It can be prepared for use manually by adding the required amount of water and stirring thoroughly, or you can use a construction mixer. The amount of glue is calculated based on the area of the porch and the consumption of the dry mixture. Information about it will be indicated on the packaging.

It is important to ensure that the layer of glue is distributed evenly over the surface; the thickness of the layer should not exceed 1 cm. The work is carried out using a notched trowel, a wooden sledge hammer and a spatula for grouting joints. In addition, you will need to purchase dividing beacons - plastic crosses that are placed in the seams so that they are equal in thickness.

How to lay tiles on a porch? The work is carried out as follows:

The cladding begins to be laid from top to bottom - first work is carried out on the upper platform, then on the steps. A thin layer of tile adhesive is applied to the surface, after which the tile is applied to it and pressed tightly. It is important to check each row with a level so that the slope is uniform and the row turns out even.
The cladding is laid on the steps, after which the adhesive is applied to the surface of the riser using a tile overhang. This allows you to carefully fill the voids and get an even layer. The tiles are laid on the risers, and then on the sides of the porch.
When the tiled carpet is completely ready, it needs to be given a day to dry, after which you can proceed to grouting the joints. If you are using regular plain tiles, the grout can be chosen to match, and if you choose interesting multi-color solutions, it can have a contrasting shade.

Knowing how to tile a porch, you can build the most interesting compositions. These geometric patterns of tiles of different colors can also be experimented with shapes and various interesting combinations of shades. The glossy finish of the porch will have a very pleasant appearance, and the porcelain tiles will not lose their beautiful appearance for a long time.

To protect the coating from gradual erosion by rain and from snow ice, it is recommended to install a canopy, the overhangs of which will protrude beyond the boundaries of the porch. It can be supported by poles or wall brackets; polycarbonate, corrugated sheet or other materials can be used for its manufacture. It is advisable to install the canopy as soon as possible after completing the tile laying work.

Distribution of the adhesive composition along the porch step

It is necessary to lay tiles on steps correctly. Otherwise, the service life of this finishing material will be much shorter than the future. Apply a thin layer of glue to the tiles and porch steps. For this work, highly professional tilers recommend using a toothed trowel.

Main! Before performing this type of work, it is recommended to wash the surface of the flight of stairs with a sponge soaked in water. This way you will achieve the necessary adhesion of the material.

Do not miss the moment of preparing the tile adhesive composition. In this case, the most important thing is to strictly follow all the manufacturer’s advice, described step by step on the packaging of this material.

Clear distribution of the adhesive composition on the surface of the rough base Laying floor tiles on the stairs is done by applying the adhesive composition to the parts with an ordinary spatula. In this case, the final touch is to hold the material on top with a jagged staple. Sometimes this work is called “combing” the tiles.

Main! To avoid premature setting of the adhesive on the surface, it is recommended that ceramic tiles

for the stairs it was partially laid down - they coated the step with glue and immediately laid the tiles.

If the surface is leveled in advance with a concrete screed, then tiling the concrete floor stairs will be done perfectly. To control the evenness of the slab material, it is better to regularly use a level gauge.

Types of tiles by surface features

Tile is one of the most aesthetically pleasing building materials. A pleasant shine is combined with durability, in addition, you can choose the most interesting decorative options. Even if you choose a single-color surface, it can differ significantly in appearance:

Polished tiles. Polished material has a pleasant glossy shine; this is one of the most common solutions. Polished natural stone or porcelain tile looks very beautiful, and over time it will not lose its decorative qualities.
Sawn tiles made from various materials have a rough surface: this is a little less beautiful, but safer, since it will not slip. There is one more disadvantage: dirt will be more noticeable on a rough surface, so it is advisable to periodically wash the porch with a hose.
Sanded tiles. This is a matte material that can be used not only for the porch, but also for paths. This will allow you to create a single architectural ensemble so that both the porch and the area look harmonious.
You can also choose tiles with a heat-treated surface. Special processing gives it a slight roughness, which does not spoil its decorative qualities, but increases its anti-slip properties.

The texture of the tile can copy natural stone, brick and other materials; you can choose finishes with interesting color schemes. Even inexpensive material can be turned into an interesting home decoration that will attract the attention of guests. Tiles are the basis for creativity, and an individual design will highlight the uniqueness of the house.

A wide selection opens up enormous opportunities for builders and allows them to create very beautiful tile compositions. If you want to create a complex pattern with a large number of non-standard shaped elements, it is better to order such a mosaic from professionals.

For a non-expert, it will be difficult to achieve uniform spacing between the tiles, and the pattern will not turn out as expected.

Knowing how to install tiles on your porch can greatly increase its longevity.

The tile does not absorb moisture, does not collapse when temperatures fluctuate, and can be laid in just a few days.

A protected concrete base will not begin to crumble and crack for many years, so it will be very reliable and durable. A monolithic concrete porch will become a solid decoration of any home.

Yulia Semenenko

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