Tiles Built for Outdoor Conditions

Balconies are nothing like your bedroom or living room. They sit exposed, catching direct rain one month, baking in the sun the next. What works inside will not always survive outside.

• Porcelain is the go-to for most open balconies. It is dense, absorbs almost no water, and handles temperature swings without cracking.
• Glazed Vitrified (GVT) works well for home balconies. Stain-resistant, durable, and available in plenty of designs.
• Full Body tiles have colour running all the way through. If they chip or scratch, it does not show. Good for balconies that see heavy furniture or lots of movement.
• Double Charge tiles have an extra-hard surface layer. They last for years in commercial settings where people come and go constantly.
• Anti-skid tiles have built-in texture. If your balcony is open to rain or you wash it often, these keep things safe.
• Ceramic is lighter and more affordable. It works fine for walls or for covered balconies that stay mostly dry.

Start With the Type of Balcony

The right tile depends first on where it will be used: a home balcony, an apartment block, or a commercial terrace. After that, you choose size, surface and look.

Home Balconies

For flats and bungalows, balconies are often morning-tea spots, reading corners, or plant zones. Floors should feel comfortable under bare feet but still be safe in the rain.

Most home balconies work well with 400×400, 500×500, 600x600, 600×1200 or 200×1000 mm tiles in 7.5 to 9.5 mm thickness. Matte, textured or sugar surfaces give good grip while keeping cleaning simple. Porcelain, glazed vitrified and anti-skid tiles are common choices for open or semi-open floors.

Walls and rail-side faces can use 300×450, 300×600 or 600×1200 mm tiles in glossy, semi-polished or satin finishes. Stone, marble, wood, floral, Moroccan or plain looks let you match your balcony to your living room style without making maintenance difficult.

Apartment Balconies and Common Sit-Outs

Balconies attached to living rooms, bedroom sit-outs and small shared spaces see steady, daily movement. Here, tiles need slightly more strength.

Floor tiles in 400×400, 500×500, 600×600 or 600×1200 mm sizes with 8.0 to 11.0 mm thickness work well. Matte, textured or anti-skid surfaces are safer near the parapet and drain. Porcelain, glazed vitrified, double charge and full body tiles handle frequent use and cleaning.

Walls can use 300×600 or 600×1200 mm tiles in glossy, satin or semi high-glossy finishes around seating, planters and railings. Stone, cement, marble, modern plain or decorative panels on one feature wall can change the mood of the space without changing the whole building facade.

Commercial Balconies and Terraces

Cafes, co-working spaces, hotel balconies and office terraces host people throughout the day. Tiles here must handle heavier loads and more frequent cleaning.

Floors usually use 600×600, 600×1200, 800×1200 mm tiles in 9.0 to 12.0 mm thickness, with 15 to 16 mm used in very busy zones as per structural advice. Full body, colour body, double charge and anti-skid porcelain are common choices. Matte, matte carving, textured or GHR matte surfaces reduce slip risk when there is rain, spillage or frequent mopping.

Wall and facade zones can use 300×600, 600×1200, 800×1600 or 1200×1800 mm slabs in glossy, high-glossy, satin or decor finishes to frame the view, carry branding or highlight seating areas, while the floor stays practical.

Sizes That Suit Balcony Layouts

Balconies come as narrow strips, corner ledges, and wide terraces. Choosing the right size keeps cuts low and the floor pattern neat.

On TilesFinders, you will find balcony-ready sizes from compact 300×450 mm to large 800×2400 mm and 1200×1800 mm slabs.

• If you have smaller spaces, then you can choose from 400×400, 500×500 or 600×600 mm tile sizes.
• For an apartment with mid- to large-sized balconies and terraces, you can achieve a cleaner look with 600×600, 600×1200, or 800×1200 mm tiles, as there are fewer joints and the floor feels more open.
• Premium decks and hotel-style balconies often use 800×1600, 800×2400, 1200×1800 or 1200×2400 mm slabs for a more continuous look.
• For a deck-like feel, 200×1000, 200×1200 mm plank tiles give the warmth of wood without the upkeep.

Choosing the Right Surface for Outdoor Use

Balcony floors see water from rain, mopping and clothes drying. The surface needs to balance safety, comfort and cleaning.

• Matte tiles are a reliable option for most balconies, offering grip without harsh texture and hiding dust and minor stains.
• Textured and anti-skid surfaces, including raindrop–type designs, are better near edges, steps and drains where water collects.
• Sugar, matte carving and polished sugar finishes add a gentle sheen without becoming too slippery, and work well for premium residential balconies.
• Satin and semi-polished tiles feel smooth underfoot and suit covered balconies that stay mostly dry.
• Glossy, high-glossy, super high-glossy, glossy carving and fully polished surfaces are best reserved for walls, parapet cladding and dry, indoor-facing sections rather than open balcony floors.

Colours That Work in Balconies

Outdoor light shows every mark. Colour choice can make everyday use easier.

• Beige, ivory, sandune, light grey and white keep balconies bright and airy. These shades pair well with plants and light furniture, though very light tones may show marks faster on open floors.
• Medium grey, brown, terracotta and wenge give a warm, grounded feel and hide shoe marks and minor stains better, which helps in high-use areas.
• For a relaxed or resort style, shades like AQ green, green, blue, turquoise and pink work well on floors or walls.
• Deeper colours such as black, dark grey, multi, golden, red, yellow or purple are often best in borders, steps, skirting or on a single feature wall so the space looks interesting without feeling heavy.

Picking the Right Thickness

Balcony tiles must balance strength, weight and levels with indoor flooring and drains.

Common balcony thickness ranges from 7.00 mm to 12.00 mm, with some slabs at 15 to 16 mm where the structure allows and heavy use demands it.

As a simple guide:

• 7.0 to 8.5 mm works well for renovation and tiling over existing floors on lighter-use home balconies.
• 9.0 to 12.0 mm range suits new construction, apartment sit-outs and most terraces.
• 15.0 to 16.0 mm tiles may be needed for very busy commercial terraces, or as advised by the contractor or engineer.

Always check door clearances, railing base details and slopes before deciding, so water flows correctly, and doors open smoothly.

A Starting Combination That Works

For many home and apartment balconies, a simple, safe starting point is: a matte or textured porcelain or glazed vitrified floor tile in 600×600 or 600×1200 mm, with a stone or wood look in beige, grey or terracotta. Walls can then use 300×600 or 600×1200 mm glossy or satin tiles in a matching neutral, a soft green, or blue. One side wall or seating area can carry a small Moroccan decoror geometric patch as a feature.

For commercial balconies and terraces, a practical base is: double charge, full body or anti-skid porcelain tiles on the floor in 600×1200 or 800×1200 mm and above, using cement, stone or marble looks. Walls and parapets can use 600×1200 mm or larger marble, stone or modern slabs in satin, glossy or high-glossy finishes to frame the view and highlight seating.

You can then refine size, colour, surface and look on TilesFinders to match your exact balcony layout and usage.

Transform Your Balcony With the Right Tiles

From cozy morning tea spots to practical drying areas, find tiles perfect for your balcony lifestyle.