The portico of a house is always a special area. It serves many purposes- a space where you entertain guests on a pleasant day, one where you read or think about nothing in particular, and your private space, away from the noise and atmosphere of the interior of your home.
Decorating this space is of utmost importance, as it not only showcases your taste but is also exposed to sunlight and rain, more than the rest of your house. In this respect, the tiles that you use matter a lot. They have to be non-slippery, should not fade easily, and should be easy to clean and maintain.
Portico tiles come in various patterns, with various color combinations to suit your style. Although there are many options in the market, it is important that you choose your tiles based on the climatic conditions in your place of stay, as the portico is exposed to sun and rain more often than not. Houses built in areas that enjoy more rainfall than others should be built to withstand the damage caused by moisture- fungus and chipping of tiles.
So, choosing tiles for your portico, based only on price and the overall look may not bode too well in the long run. In damp or humid conditions, you run the risk of moss, slippery tiles, and water absorption. These factors have to be taken into consideration when choosing your portico tiles. Similarly, in drier conditions, tiles that have larger grouts could prove difficult to clean because fine sand particles could easily accumulate.
Refer to this before you decide the right tile for your portico:
Is it water-resistant?
Do the colorsfade easily?
Is it resistant to bacteria and fungi?
Does it react easily with detergents and other cleaning products?
What materials do I need for cleaning?
What is the thickness of the tile?
Is it slip-resistant?
Is it stain-resistant?
Does the tile come in different sizes?
Choose the tiles that check most of these boxes. To help you narrow down your search, here are some of the best choices for tiles you can use in your portico.
1. Vitrified tiles
The most preferred type for the portico, vitrified tiles come in different sizes, and their hardness varies depending on their use. If used for the portico, the thickness of the tile should be between 5-10 mm. Vitrified tiles have long been the go-to option for many types of flooring, including for the portico. The main reasons are that they are non-slippery and easy to clean.
They are also water-resistant, making these tiles a viable option for a space that is open to the elements and could get slippery because of rainwater. This water resistance also means that the tiles are resistant to bacteria and fungi, making it a germ-free, safe space even for toddlers.
In addition to being water-resistant, these tiles are also stain-resistant. Resistant to scratches, stains, and harsh sunlight. Another reason to choose vitrified tiles is that any spills will not affect the flooring, keeping your space looking as good as new with minimum effort.
2. Porcelain tiles
Many parts of India experience monsoons for more than three months, making your portico susceptible to wear and tear even if it is a slightly open space. These tiles, with their highly polished surfaces, are easy to maintain. They are highly water-resistant and not porous. Owing to their polish, these tiles are also stain-resistant and can be cleaned with a damp cloth or some water and detergent.
These tiles come in different finishes- matte and gloss and can be customized based on the prevalent climatic conditions of the place that your house is situated.
3. Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles have been preferred by many homeowners, owing to their versatility and color options. Ceramic tiles are the sought-after options for bathroom, kitchen, and portico flooring. Highly resistant to water and fungi, these tiles are the choice of many new homeowners for their various finishes.
The wood finish is a favorite because of the rustic feel it affords, without any of the hassles of maintaining natural wooden flooring. While wooden flooring is not water-resistant and has a tendency to absorb water and get heavy, ceramic tiles with a wooden finish can be cleaned easily with a mop or a damp cloth and are not slippery or absorbent. They are also stain-resistant, unlike natural wood.
These tiles come with long-lasting polish that is not affected by detergents or other cleaning products. The tiles come in varying sizes, colors, and shapes so that you can design your portico in the style of your choice. Cleaning the grouts is also easy owing to the packing material that is used, making these a viable option for the portico.
4. Stone tiles
Popular for their strength and durability in areas of heavy footfall, these tiles are also very easy to clean. They can be cleaned with water and detergent, or any other cleaning agent that is available in the market. These tiles are different from natural stone in this regard. Natural stone or natural stone tiles can easily be affected by the acids present in cleaning tiles.
However, the stone tiles that are currently available in the market have been processed to look like stone, giving it the aesthetic appeal of stone, but none of the complications that come with natural stone tiles.
5. Terracotta tiles
The red hue of terracotta flooring has provided the feel of home for generations of Indians. Used for roofing, interior flooring and in the portico, these tiles are best known for their durability and low cost. These tiles, in a modern avatar, are still widely preferred for their easy maintenance and for being germ-free. The underlying earthy tones ensure that the tiles are easy to clean with water and simple detergent, or a damp cloth or mop.
The ancient method of making clay or terracotta tiles has been altered in order to make these tiles less porous. This helps the tiles to be more water-resistant and thus easier to maintain and clean. Another advantage is that weeds and plants do not sprout quickly, making them safer for use.