Do Outdoor Porcelain Tiles Get Hot in Miami?

Porcelain is one of our favorite materials, which is why we so often recommend it during our tile consultations. Its durability makes it usable in areas where more delicate or porous materials would quickly show wear and tear. This makes it great for the outdoors, but if you’ve lived in Miami for long, you’ve seen how hot tile can get. Can porcelain handle that heat? We’ll answer that question below. Backyard Porcelain Tile in Miami

Does Porcelain Get Hot?

Just like stone or cement pavers, porcelain tiles can get hot if they’re in direct sunlight. That doesn’t mean the material shouldn’t be used outside. In fact, porcelain is one of the most popular materials for outdoor tiles! The issue has less to do with the material you choose than it does with the color. The darker the tile, the more it absorbs heat. This is expressed with the Solar Reflexivity Index (SRI). Because darker colors absorb heat, they have a low SRI. Light colors like cream or gray have a high SRI. They reflect more of the heat, which makes them ideal for areas that come under direct sunlight.

How to Mitigate the Heat

Plenty of home and property owners choose to use dark tile in areas that come under direct sunlight. In these situations, there are a few different methods you can use to mitigate the heat. For instance, it can be a nice touch to spray the tile with water to cool it. Alternatively, some homeowners have a patio misting system that cools the outdoor tile for them. Regardless of the solution you choose to keep your porcelain cool, just being aware is typically enough to avoid burning your feet.

Where Should You Place the Porcelain Tile?

Porcelain tile can be used in a variety of outdoor areas, including but not limited to:

Patio
Balcony
Outdoor Kitchen
Pool Deck
Walkways

You don’t have to worry about the tile getting wet, since many porcelain tiles are less slippery than other materials. One of porcelain’s biggest advantages is that it’s durable. In fact, its durability comes from the fact that it was forged in heat. It doesn’t fade in the sunlight, and it doesn’t crack when the weather gets hotter either. The biggest problem is likely to occur if a porcelain tile gets chipped. This will likely expose the clay, making it more vulnerable to high temperatures.

Should You Seal Porcelain?

Whether or not the porcelain is sealed won’t have an effect on its temperature. While usually porcelain doesn’t need to be sealed, there may occasionally be a situation where it’s wise to do so.

Looking for Porcelain Tile in Miami?

You’ve come to the right place. At D&B Tile, we’re committed to helping people sort through the many available tile options. Whether porcelain’s the right choice for you or you think you’d like to choose a different material, please don’t hesitate to reach out by calling us today. We’re always happy to help home and business owners find the tile of their dreams.

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