When planning your perfect terrace, you should start literally from the basics, i.e. terrace tiles. Choosing them is not an easy task. We offer many designs, formats, thicknesses, as well as the functions of individual materials. When choosing tiles for a terrace, you should not only rely on aesthetic issues, parameters such as their hardness, anti-slip or frost resistance are also important. We hope the following information will help you make an informed decision.
Thickness, hardness and size of concrete slabs
Terrace slabs are an element of the terrace surface finish with a much smaller volume than paving stones. In general, their thickness varies from 2 to 6 cm, and most of our products are characterized by a minimum of 40 mm, which guarantees their high durability. Concrete slabs are distinguished by a competitive price, high durability and original design. Let us remind you that the harder the boards are, the lower their abrasion and the risk of mechanical damage, e.g. as a result of moving garden furniture or sudden fall of heavy objects. So this parameter is not without significance.
Terrace concrete slabs are available in many sizes, which allows for great freedom in arranging the space. The most popular format is 40×40, although products in the dimensions 60×40, 60×60, 80×40 are also available. Large terrace tiles are a bit more difficult to arrange due to the need to match them to the size of the plot and other elements of garden architecture, such as terrace roofing. However, it is worth a try when a successful implementation can make a really impressive impression. Remember that the size and type of terrace tiles most often affects the thickness of the grout used. The larger their size, the thinner the grout is, e.g. with 40 x 40 cm tiles, the grout is usually about 3-4 mm, and with large-format terrace tiles about 2 mm. Concrete slabs can be laid in a traditional way, on a properly prepared substructure or on special bases, using the ventilated terrace technology. It is worth entrusting this task to professionals, because inadequate waterproofing or lack of professionalism during installation can cause detachment of the boards or damage to the surface layer.
Anti-slip and frost-resistant
As we have already pointed out, aesthetics, although extremely important and pleasing to the eye, is not the only criterion that should be taken into account when building a terrace. First of all, you should analyze what weather conditions the terrace tiles will be most often exposed to. So let’s first consider whether the terrace will be roofed, partially covered or whether we plan to leave it in the open. The degree of exposure of the terrace to moisture and precipitation will be important in terms of choosing the anti-slip index, which is marked with the R symbol on the product packaging and determines the risk of potential slipping and falling. The higher the number next to the letter R in the designation, the better the anti-slip properties of the material. For the terrace, we should choose tiles marked with the symbol R10 or higher. In addition, to reduce the risk of falling, it is worth using a material with a rough structure. Concrete slabs often exhibit satisfactory slip resistance, provided that their top surface has not been sanded and/or polished to obtain a very smooth surface.
Terrace tiles in countries such as Poland are exposed to various weather conditions. From intense sunlight in hot summers, through rain, to snow and ice. Due to external factors that occur during winter, manufacturers also specify the frost resistance of the material. Interestingly, this feature describes not only the sensitivity of concrete slabs to freezing temperatures, but also to the influence of sun, rain or snow. It is worth taking an interest in 3D class products. It determines the loss of mass from the tested surface after 28 freeze/thaw cycles and is expressed in kg/m2. The mean value of weight loss after the test is ≤ 1.0 kg/m2, with no single result exceeding > 1.5 kg/m2. Frost-resistant terrace tiles should also be characterized by the lowest possible porosity. On the other hand, the absorbability parameter should not be less than 6%, and ideally it should be around 3%. Ignoring this property when selecting tiles can result in cracking, detachment and damage.
Concrete slabs for special tasks
Concrete slabs for the terrace are extremely practical and visually attractive, but a side effect of concreting large areas can be an increase in temperature around the house. That is why manufacturers of paving materials are constantly looking for solutions that will reduce this effect, providing the household members with even more comfort. The absorption of solar radiation will be significantly lower when the surface is hardened with concrete slabs with a high SRI coefficient. These include Dasag products – Indigo Prato (designs 7430, 7431) and Promenada Prato (model 7431). Their absorption of heat emitted by the Sun has been significantly reduced, so the use of these solutions each time reduces the heating of the space around the building, reducing the costs of cooling it and the pleasure of use.
Due to the commitment of the Dasag brand to the idea of sustainable development in construction, the company has also introduced innovative Aria ecological boards to its offer, which contribute to the active reduction of air pollution and minimization of smog.
The top layer of the Aria noble concrete slab contains nanocrystalline titanium dioxide TiO2, thanks to which ecological building materials are subjected to the process of photocatalysis, eliminating dangerous nitrogen oxides NOx. The purification process is initiated by UV radiation, which means that only the sun’s rays are necessary for the product to work in favor of clean air. In addition, the ecological Aria concrete slab has the ability to self-clean from organic dirt. Its maintenance and care will therefore not cause any problems.
Choosing the perfect terrace slab is therefore not as easy as it might seem. However, it is worth investing in proven materials and innovative solutions to enjoy not only the stunning visual effect, but also to feel safe and comfortable on your terrace. After all, we build it for years, not just for summer.