Porcelain Deck Tiles Cost for 2023

Looking to improve the curb appeal and landscaping around your house? Good news! Your outdoor space can be completely transformed by adding porcelain tiles. Compared to other common outdoor materials like concrete and natural stone, porcelain tiles are extremely resilient, low-maintenance, and adaptable.

Porcelain is not the most inexpensive alternative, but many homeowners think they are worth the investment. 

Cost of Porcelain Deck Tiles

The porcelain tiles made primarily for use outside must survive intense weather. They are, therefore, thicker and stronger than the typical porcelain floor or wall tile.

Porcelain tiles typically cost between $3 to $35 per square foot to install outside. Depending on the design and your location, the entire cost varies. However, it is typically higher than the cost of installing brick pavers, concrete, or natural stone pavers.

Porcelain's key selling point is that, despite typically being more durable, it can simulate any type of flooring. Some tiles mimic flooring selections such as wood grain. Generally speaking, glazed tiles are the most expensive. However, you'll pay the most for tiles with elaborate patterns. 

Common prices are:

• Glazed - $3 to $35
• Unglazed - $3 to $15
• Polished - $5 to $35

Other Costs to Consider

The cost of the tiles isn't the only thing you need to consider. Here are other things you should factor into your budget:

Labor: Porcelain tile installation for outdoor spaces can cost between $4 and $25 per square foot of labor. Some specialists bill by the hour, typically between $30 and $120 per hour.

Permits: Most outdoor project licenses cost between $250 and $2,000 to obtain. Local rules differ between states and towns; your contractor should be able to tell you if you need one.

Demo/Prep: The price of your project may increase by $2,000 to $10,000 or more if your contractor needs to remove an old patio or level your yard in order to install outdoor porcelain tiles.

DIY vs. Hiring Professionals

If you DIY your porcelain deck tiles, you may save thousands of dollars in labor costs — but it is a difficult task. Outdoor porcelain is difficult to cut without the proper tools unless you're working with tile which is already pre-cut. For instance, a specialized drill bit is needed for drilling through porcelain tiles.

Despite their high durability, porcelain pavers are prone to breaking and cracking both before and during installation. It can be particularly complicated if you're undertaking a significant project — like creating an outdoor kitchen — that also involves gas lines or electricity. 

Hiring a local patio paver to complete the work for you will save you time and effort, but it will increase the budget for your porcelain tile project.

Where to Buy Porcelain Deck Tiles

There are plenty of places to purchase porcelain deck tiles, from Big Box retailers to local home improvement stores. 

Home Depot Porcelain Deck Tiles

An American international home improvement retail company, The Home Depot distributes appliances, tools, construction supplies, and a wide array of porcelain tile options. It is considered the largest retailer of home improvement products in the US.

Tile Direct Porcelain Deck Tiles

The go-to online source for ceramic, porcelain, stone, glass, cement, and more since 2011. Tiles Direct is able to provide customers with the highest quality products at the most competitive pricing because it has established partnerships with the most prestigious tile producers in the world. 

The design and customer service team brings the same care and knowledge that you'd expect at a brick-and-mortar store from the comfort of the internet. They have more than 50 years of combined experience in tile sales and servicing.

Marazzi Porcelain Deck Tiles

In order to provide convenient access to cutting-edge technology and fashion, Marazzi created the first Italian-owned ceramic production facility in the United States in 1982.

Marazzi is renowned across the world for its innovative ceramic surfaces and for its collaborations with leading figures in the fields of fashion, art, design, and architecture.

Interceramic Porcelain Deck Tiles

For more than 40 years, one of the biggest producers of conventional ceramic and porcelain tiles has been Interceramic. They are renowned for using eco-friendly manufacturing processes and leading the industry in producing precisely constructed tiles that offer value without compromising beauty.

Daltile

Popular for its cutting-edge, award-winning design and an unmatched selection of wall, floor, and countertops tiles. Daltile offers countless colors and sizes in materials like ceramic, porcelain, glass, and natural stone that are perfect for use indoors and in outdoor settings. They have a wide array of tile options, many with a proprietary non-slip surface.

Cost of Porcelain Alternatives

There are several different alternatives to porcelain that you can explore. 

If you want to stick in the clay tile family, you could opt for other tile options like quarry or ceramic. Labor costs range between $4 and $14 per square foot for installing clay tiles, while materials can cost between $2 and $30 per square foot. 

Natural stone tiles are a popular option for outdoor spaces. Sandstone, limestone, and travertine are less expensive possibilities; soapstone, granite, and slate are more pricey options. Labor costs range from $8 to $20 per square foot, while materials might cost anywhere between $5 and $35 per square foot.

The average cost per square foot for outdoor carpet, rubber, or plastic tiles is roughly $3. Most people install these materials themselves cutting out labor costs.

Composite decking tiles cost $4 to $8 per square foot, whereas wood decking tiles cost an average of $8 to $12 per square foot. In most areas, labor for these options will range between $4 and $15.