What type of flooring is best for outdoor use? The answer is that it depends. Your taste, safety, and budget should be your main priority. Do you prefer beauty with higher maintenance or a simple look without hassle? 

Here are 5 outdoor flooring ideas with their pros and cons for you to consider.

Outdoor Flooring Ideas

Classic Wooden Decking

Wooden decking is many people’s first choice because of its classic beauty. It is a versatile option that fits many home decor and looks natural in any setting. Its timeless charm helps lift a property’s value, too. However, classic wooden decking has its pros and cons. An ideal outdoor flooring needs to be weather-resistant, durable, and affordable. Unfortunately, not all wood can have all three.

The best wood to use would be hardwood decking. Hardwood decking comprises slow-growing, durable trees like Oak, Cherry, and Teak. These lumber are tough, staying durable even with turbulent weather. However, hardwood decking is much more expensive than options like treated wood.

Treated wood decking is usually made with treated softwood like pine. Treated Pine is resistant to mould and water, making it durable. It is also much cheaper than hardwood decking, which made them people’s go-to for outdoor flooring. But, this decking needs constant maintenance that will cost you extra in the long run.

Wooden Decking Pros

• Classic beauty and well-liked
• Weather-resistant
• Slip-resistant with the right coating
• Tough and long-lasting

Wooden Decking Cons

• Requires constant maintenance
• Hefty price

Composite Decking Tiles

If you like wooden decking but are on a budget or hate cleaning, composite decking tiles are the perfect outdoor flooring. Composite decking tiles look similar to wooden decking but without the hefty price and the constant maintenance. But, make sure to find a good composite decking company so your tiles don’t look too plasticky/fake.

Made from wood fibres and recycled plastic, these tiles are environmentally friendly, durable, and weather resistant. They maintain the beauty of wood and the durability of plastic. Hence, you won’t need to maintain them as much as wooden decking. Just a hosing every once in a while will keep your deck looking beautiful. 

Unlike wooden decking, installing composite decking tiles is much easier. You won’t even need a professional to do it. Composite decking tiles can be attached like a puzzle and fit into any flat surface. Unfortunately, composite decking tiles don’t work well on uneven surfaces.

Composite Decking Tiles Pros

• Look as good as wooden decking
• Low-maintenance
• Affordable
• Durable
• Easy to install

Composite Decking Tiles Cons

• Don’t work as well on an uneven surface
• It is not as desirable as wooden decking, property value-wise

Stone Pavers

Stone pavers are a great choice if you’re looking for natural beauty and low maintenance. Stones naturally look beautiful, making your outdoor area more appealing. It is tough, rarely cracks, and weather-resistant. With a good pressure washer to preserve the stone’s integrity, stone pavers will last long and beautiful.

Versatility is the stone pavers’ best feature. They are available in various shapes, sizes, and textures, fitting any aesthetic and taste. You can also find colourful stone pavers if you want a unique view. The stone’s tough nature means it can adapt to any climate, traffic, and conditions while maintaining its beauty.

However, stone pavers will cost you a lot upfront, especially compared to the previous options. If you have more on your budget, you can certainly consider pavers. But, if you don’t, you can still install stone tiles, which look like natural stone but are priced like composite tiles.

Stone Pavers Pros

• Durable
• Versatile
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Adaptable to any climate or traffic

Stone Pavers Cons

• More expensive upfront
• Can grow weeds in between pavers

Porcelain Tiles

If you prefer a more contemporary look, porcelain tiles are an excellent outdoor flooring choice. They have smooth, non-porous surfaces that are resistant to stains, scratches, and fading. Other than that, they are mould and water-resistant, too.

Porcelain is fired at more than 600 degrees Celsius, so they are extremely durable in any weather. They won’t absorb heat even on the hottest of days. If you step into porcelain, you will always feel the cool surface. That’s why they are perfect for outdoor flooring. 

Ideal for high-traffic areas like patios and decks, porcelain is available in a wide range of colours and patterns, they can be easily customised to complement any outdoor space.

Porcelain Tiles Pros

• Weather, mould, and stain resistant
• Won’t absorb heat
• Easy to customise
• Great for high-traffic areas

Porcelain Tiles Cons

• More expensive
• Require professional installation services = extra cost

Rubber Pavers

Rubber pavers are not as popular as the other four but they are just as durable. Made of soft rubber, these pavers cushion your steps with their shock-absorbent nature. This feature made them the safest option for outdoor play areas, especially if you have children or pets.

They are eco-friendly, too. Rubber pavers are made of 100% recycled materials, using old tyres for excellent flooring. Rubber is naturally adaptable, so it can adapt to any weather, changing shape and contract to accommodate heat or cold. 

Rubber Pavers Pros

• Durable
• Low maintenance
• Soft and cushiony = safe

Rubber Pavers Cons

• More expensive to install

• Doesn’t look as natural as wood or composite decking

Choose your outdoor flooring based on your needs, taste and budget. Whether you prefer the low-maintenance convenience of composite decking tiles, the timeless beauty of wooden decking, the beauty of stone pavers, the versatility of porcelain tiles, or the soft surface of rubber pavers, there's always an outdoor flooring option to suit your requirements. Also, make sure that whatever company you choose can give you the best price and service.