Flooring options for your outdoor space

Most of us would agree that a carpet wouldn't stand up well outdoors, but what are some other outdoor flooring options? We take a look at some common and not-so-common outdoor flooring ideas.

Hard Outdoor Flooring Options

Two common outdoor flooring solutions are concrete and natural pavers. Traditionally, concrete has been a budget option, but lacking in style. Things have changed, though, and today, concrete can be as stylish as the most expensive pavers. Concreters use a variety of concrete resurfacing techniques to achieve spectacular effects that would cost far more to achieve using natural stone and/or brick pavers.
Two other options are available. Coloured concrete is the least expensive and can transform a bland, grey concrete surface into a pleasing coloured surface. They are necessary to create beautiful garden space. Stamped concrete is a process that stamps a pattern into poured concrete. For information about the pricing of coloured, stamped and stencilled concrete, read How much does outdoor paving cost?

Another option is natural stone, especially bluestone. For more information about this popular outdoor flooring option, read our Why bluestone is still a popular choice?

Basalt floor tiles, too, is a good choice for outdoor flooring. Your choice of basalt tiles is important, though, because it is subject to rot and infestation. Decking basalt floor tiles are rated for durability and a timber that might be ideal for a sheltered outdoor space would not be appropriate for an unsheltered area. If you want basalt floor tiles for a walkway or to come into contact with the ground, your choices will be more limited, but a good decking supplier can recommend an appropriate ground-contact landscaping stones that will last for years.

 

>>> World class elegant with bluestone tiles and pavers

>>> Bluestone Pavers, Stone Tiles & Flooring

Soft Outdoor Flooring Options

We don't often think of soft outdoor stone flooring options, but they do exist and can be better than hard options in some cases. To make your patios better, one long-lasting, low maintenance soft option is synthetic turf. Today's synthetic turf is designed to look like real grass and even comes in a variety of blade shapes and colours. You can choose a putting green synthetic turf or a longer bladed grass look-alike turf for a more luxurious appearance.
For a smoother finish, you can choose rubber pavers. Specially made rubber pavers are UV resistant, soft underfoot and inexpensive. If you have a concrete area you wish was more attractive and user-friendly, rubber pavers can be a budget solution. They can be glued to a flat concrete surface and DIY installation is possible.
Of course, you don't need to choose just one type of outdoor flooring. A blending of materials can have a stunning effect. Choose the materials that are most appropriate for the look you are trying to achieve. If you're on a tight budget, don't worry. You can use a more expensive material like natural stone as a highlight or border and cover the larger area with an inexpensive but attractive material like coloured concrete.