Built for the weather
A patio takes more abuse than any floor inside the house. Water soaks into anything porous, freezes, expands, and pops tile loose. Summer sun heats the surface and makes it move. Leaves and pollen hold moisture against the grout. Outdoor tile fails for predictable reasons, so we build against each one:
- Exterior-rated tile. Porcelain absorbs almost no water, so it doesn’t crack in a freeze.
- Frost-rated setting materials. Standard indoor thinset isn’t made for freeze–thaw.
- Uncoupling membranes between the concrete and the tile, so the slab can move with the seasons without cracking the surface.
- Slope to drain. Water should run off the patio and away from the house, never pool against the door.
Porches, patios, and outdoor kitchens
Covered porches, open patios, pool decks, and outdoor kitchens all fall under this service. The porch and outdoor kitchen in these photos use large gray porcelain that looks like stone and handles weather far better.
Edges and steps
Where a patio drops to a step or the lawn, the edge is on display and takes the wear. We finish step edges with bullnose or matching trim profiles, so the edge is rounded, durable, and looks planned.
What to expect
We look at the slab at the site visit: its condition, its slope, and where the water goes. The written estimate covers any repairs the concrete needs before tile. Outdoor work depends on the weather, and we’ll schedule around temperatures that are too cold or too wet for the materials to cure properly.
