The non-slip outdoor flooring are of paramount importance on terraces, gardens, patios and other outdoor areas everywhere. The reason is very simple: they are exposed to rain and moisture and therefore carry a risk of slipping and injury to users.
But what are non-slip floors, what advantages do they offer and how are they installed? All these questions and many others will be answered in this ParaTuReforma blog article. Information that will be very useful if you need to install them in any outdoor space in your home.
Non-slip outdoor flooring
Outdoor anti-slip floors are very easy to distinguish from those used indoors. This is mainly due to the fact that they have a rougher surface than usual, which can be obtained directly when manufacturing the piece or by performing a subsequent treatment by means of laser or specific chemical products.
This is particularly noticeable in outdoor ceramic tile floors. In those made with natural stone, it is not usually necessary. The reason? Slate, marble or granite, among others, are materials with a high level of porosity. Therefore, they are able to absorb water and maintain adherence when barefoot or wearing shoes.
Advantages of anti-slip flooring for outdoor use
Having clarified the previous point, it is time to explain what are the main advantages of non-slip outdoor flooring. As you can see, they are many and varied.
Quick and easy installation
The process of installing a quality floor with anti-slip properties is no different from that of any other type of flooring. Briefly, we can say that it is divided into the following stages:
Removal of the previous pavement. This requires the use of hammers, chisels or any other tool that may be useful. Debris must always be taken to waste treatment points authorized by the municipality in question.
- Mortar application. Here we recommend the use of a self-leveling mortar, as this is the best way to ensure a level and smooth surface. The setting time of this building material is between 24 and 48 hours, although the exact time will be reflected in the instructions for use.
- Placement of parts. Once the mortar is dry, you can start laying the non-slip tiles using a specific glue. You can place guides between the different tiles so that the result is perfect.
- Grout application. When the pavement is laid, this element is applied over the joints to conceal them and prevent leaks. You can use a simple damp cloth to remove the excess.
In case you do not have the knowledge or the necessary tools to lay the tiles, the best thing to do is to use a professional mason. Do not consider it an expense, but an investment that will result in a higher quality finish.
Safety: less risk of falls
This is undoubtedly the main advantage offered by outdoor anti-slip flooring. To give you an idea of its importance or, failing that, the installation of artificial or natural grass, we can tell you that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 37.3 million cases per year of falls require medical attention due to slips.
In the case of the elderly, the consequences of these domestic accidents can be very serious. Younger people are not exempt from suffering a concussion or a fracture.
As we said before, these tiles have a rough surface to the touch, which allows them to maintain a larger contact surface with the footwear. Therefore, the grip offered is much greater and the risk of a fall is reduced to a minimum. Even if the surface is completely soaked or there has been a frost during the night.
Durability
Durability is an inherent quality of porcelain stoneware floor tiles. In fact, it does not matter whether they are used indoors or outdoors. This type of tile is able to remain intact despite heat, cold and humidity. In fact, they are extremely resistant to the action of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, frost and rain.
This is due to several characteristics of the material. The first is that it is non-porous, so moisture cannot penetrate into its interior. But it is also a poor thermal conductor, so it does not expand or contract at ambient temperatures. As if that were not enough, its aesthetic finish can be easily and conveniently protected.
Resistance
Another outstanding aspect of non-slip outdoor flooring is its resistance to impact. In fact, it is an almost unbreakable material once installed, so you won’t have to worry about dropping something and having to replace a tile. This is another aspect that results in greater durability.
Easy cleaning and maintenance
As we have also said before, non-slip porcelain stoneware floors for outdoors are non-porous. This not only means that they do not absorb rainwater or, for example, water overflowing from the pool, but they also do not stain.
Therefore, the cleaning of this type of flooring is particularly easy and convenient. In many cases, it is not even necessary to apply specific products that cannot be found in most supermarkets. Something that does not happen with natural stone or other types of materials.
At this point, we believe that all the advantages offered by non-slip outdoor flooring for terraces, patios and gardens are sufficiently clear. Therefore, now you only have to enter our catalog and choose the one that best suits your needs and your aesthetic tastes. ParaTuReforma’ s customer service can help you find it if you want. What are you waiting for to get in touch with him?
