Spring has sprung, which means it’s the perfect time to start paying more attention to your garden. If your patios or paths are due for a revamp, then garden quarry tiles might be a fantastic option to explore.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about using quarry tiles for your outdoor flooring or decor.
What are Quarry Tiles?
Despite the word “quarry” in the name, this type of tile doesn't actually come from a quarry. Similarly to bricks, quarry tiles are manufactured using a kiln-fired method.
The result of this process is a durable, non-porous tile that is harder than brick. Due to their properties, quarry tiles are fantastic to use all around your home, including your bathroom or wet room.
They are often used as an alternative to classic terracotta or natural stone tiles. You can read more about the characteristics of quarry tiles in our guide.
Where Can You Use Quarry Tiles?
Quarry tiles can be used for a variety of flooring projects. Their strength and resilience makes them perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
Many homeowners decide to install quarry tile flooring in their garden or home as it adds a unique look and makes the space feel warmer.
While we wouldn't recommend using quarry tiles in your bedroom, they would look stunning in your sunroom, hallway, bathroom or kitchen. Most popularly, however, you can see them used in the garden as patio or driveway paving.
Benefits of Using Garden Quarry Tiles
So what makes quarry tiles so attractive to use in your garden? Here are a few of the benefits of using garden quarry tiles for your hard landscaping:
Durability
The first reason this type of tile is chosen by an increasing number of homeowners is their incredible durability. Quarry tiles are long-lasting which makes them a great flooring choice for areas with heavy footfall.
Quarry tiles vary in thickness with most of them being between half to ¾ of an inch thick. This means they are slightly thicker than ceramic tiles, which further contributes to their resistance.
Versatility
Quarry tiles are made in a great range of colours to suit different styles. The most popular options are the classic red or brown quarry tiles, however, various shades of tan, grey or blue are also available.
When choosing the colour of your garden quarry tiles, it’s important to keep in mind that lighter colours will get dirty quicker and might need more regular maintenance. For an area that is used regularly like a driveway or patio, we would recommend going with a darker tile colour.
Easy Maintenance
In contrast to porcelain or ceramic tiles, quarry tiles don’t have a surface glaze. Despite this, however, they are non porous due to the high firing temperatures and mineral content. As a result, quarry tiles don’t require sealing which makes maintenance a lot easier.
Regular cleaning and aftercare is still required to get rid of debris and ensure your tiles look good all year round.
How to Install Quarry Tiles in Your Garden?
Installing quarry tiles is not much different than fitting regular ceramic, terracotta or porcelain tiles. There are a few things to bear in mind such as the rough texture of quarry tiles and their size. To apply your tiles you will need special tile adhesive, grout and suitable tools for the job.
Because of the firing process, quarry tiles often have a quite rigid base. This means that when fitting your tiles, you should apply the adhesive to the back of the tile to ensure sufficient coverage.
Another thing to keep in mind is that due to the way quarry tiles are manufactured there can be slight variations in size between different batches. If possible you should use tiles from the same batch number for your whole project.
If you’re using different colour tiles to create a pattern, you should leave a wider grout joint to accommodate for any size differences.
Shop Garden Quarry Tiles with Cawarden
Ready to transform your garden with stunning quarry tiles? Here at Cawarden, we have a great range of quarry tiles in various shapes, sizes and colours to suit every style and need.
If you wish to place an order, please get in touch with our team. Alternatively, you can also visit us in person in our reclamation yard, where you can find thousands of tiles, bricks and other building materials for your project. Our yard is located near Rugeley, Staffordshire.
