The No-Nonsense DIY Guide: How To Tile A Garden

Table of contents

• Should you do it yourself?
• How much does it cost to tile your garden?
• How to install outdoor tiles over concrete
• Installing outdoor tiles

Giving your garden a makeover isn’t just about the planting. There’s a good deal of hardscaping involved in the process, too. 

One of these jobs may well be creating a beautiful tiled area for outdoor dining or neat pathways that guide you through the landscape.

If your garden design includes one or all of these elements, tackling some of the hardscaping jobs (like outdoor tiling) yourself can be a great way to get stuck into your project while also saving you money.

If you’ve never done anything like this before, it may feel like an unachievable task. But before you draft in a professional tiler, we urge you to read our no-nonsense guide on how to tile a garden first.

From the crucial preparation stages to the nuances of how to lay outdoor tile onto a concrete surface, we have you covered.

Should you do it yourself?

Before we dig into how to tile a garden, you need to have a long, hard think about whether doing it yourself is the right decision for you. 

There’s no denying that laying outdoor tiles yourself can be a great cost-saving exercise, not to mention the sense of achievement and admiration you get every time you see your handiwork. But what you may not have planned for is how much time it can take you to do it, particularly if you’re laying outdoor tiles for the first time.  

Inexperience may not just eat into your time; it can also mean you make mistakes or run into issues that you’re not sure how to resolve. Add in the cost of forking out to buy or hire tiling tools and equipment you may only use once, and this task can soon eat into your cost-saving margins – it may even end up costing you more.

The best DIYers go into projects with a full understanding of the potential delays and mishaps they may face along the way. That way, you can weigh up if tiling a garden space is the right job for you, or whether you’re better spending a bit of money on getting a professional to do the work.

How much does it cost to tile your garden? 

As with all home improvements, it’s advisable to have a good idea of the costs involved before you start the project. 

Naturally, when you’re tiling your garden the cost will vary. For instance, if you’re only tiling a small area like pathways, it’ll cost far less than installing a full patio (which according to Checkatrade can cost anything from £900 onwards ).

When working out the cost of your tiling project, measure up the area in question by multiplying the length by width to get a square metre calculation. You’ll then be able to work out how many tiles (and how much adhesive and grout) you’ll need to cover the area. As with any tiling job, buy 10-15% extra to cover tile breakages and cuts.

Next, you need to figure out what preparation you’ll need for the job. For instance, if it’s a new patio area, will you need to install a concrete base for the tiles to sit on? Similarly, if you’re tiling onto old concrete or paving stones, will you need to do any repairs before you can lay your tiles? These preparatory tasks can be where the costs add up, so factor them in from the start. 

Finally, if you do need to employ tradespeople (be that builders for the construction elements or a tiler), establish their fees up front, confirming whether they charge a day rate, cost per square metre or a job rate.

How to install outdoor tiles over concrete

Laying outdoor tiles differs to laying paving stones. Paving stones tend to be laid into a sand bed first, then levelled out and sealed with either more sand, gravel or a hard mortar. This is because some slabs vary in thickness, so you can use the supple sand base to help achieve a flat, level finish. 

When laying outdoor tiles, they have the benefit of uniform thickness. Outdoor tiles need to be laid onto a flat, smooth surface like a concrete or screed base. For that reason, this guide will tell you how to install outdoor tiles over concrete (or screed).

Let start with your outdoor tiling checklist:

• Outdoor tiles (opt for weatherproof materials like porcelain or a hard, natural stone like slate or granite)
• Tile adhesive and grout (most can be used outdoors, but check the manufacturer instructions first)
• Scrubbing brush
• Heavy-duty cleaning solution
• Concrete primer and large paint brush
• Trowel with deep notches
• Grout float
• Electric drill and mixing nozzle 
• Electric or manual tile cutter and electric grinder with diamond cutting disks
• 2 mixing buckets
• Multiple sponges and cloths
• Spirit level
• Measuring tape
• Plastic tile spacers

Installing outdoor tiles

Step 1: Prepare the surface

First, check the concrete’s stability, making sure to fill in and repair any cracks or holes that could impact its longevity. 

Next, sweep up loose dirt and debris, then use the scrubbing brush and a heavy-duty cleaning solution mixed with water to scour the entire area and get rid of any stubborn dirt. 

Allow the concrete to dry, then apply the priming solution using the paintbrush. This will provide a stronger bond between the concrete and tile adhesive, ensuring tiles stay in place for longer. 

Step 2: Do a dry run

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. The same can be said for your outdoor tiling project. Whether it’s a pathway or a patio, do a dry run to figure out exactly how you want to lay your outdoor tiles before fixing them down permanently.

Start by finding the centre of the area. For patios, measure the length and width, then mark the point in the middle where they cross over. This will be your starting point from which you’ll work outwards. 

For pathways, it can be a little trickier (which is why the dry run is so important, especially if your path isn’t straight). Start by finding the middle of the width, marking this out along the full length of the path. Then, measure how long the path is and calculate how many full tiles can fit into it. You can then lay full tiles in your desired pattern, ensuring you leave a gap at each end to accommodate your required end cut.

With your pattern decided, you can also save yourself some time by pre-cutting ends and edges so they can be laid straight away.

Step 3: Install your outdoor tiles

You’re now ready to start installing your outdoor tiles over the concrete. 

Prepare your tile adhesive in a bucket using the electric drill with the mixing nozzle to get an even, lump-free paste. 

Using the straight edge of the trowel, smooth the adhesive onto the concrete at your starting point (roughly 1 square metre at a time so it doesn’t dry out), then use the notched edge to create grooves that help with adhesion. 

Finally, press your tile down into the adhesive to fully adhere it to the substrate and use a spirit level to check it’s completely flat. Continue to lay them in rows, working your way out to each edge, while making sure you have an accessible exit. To keep the gaps between tiles even and consistent, use tile spacers and continually check the floor level.

Step 4: Seal the patio tiles

Once the adhesive has fully dried (we’d suggest leaving it 24 hours with exterior tiling in case the elements have slowed down the drying process), you can begin to seal the joints. 

Remove the tile spacers, then use a grout float to push the grout solution into the gaps between each tile. A firm, diagonal motion should make sure it goes all the way into the void and doesn’t leave any air bubbles. 

Use a slightly damp sponge to wipe away excess grout as you go, running it gently over the grout lines to give them a smooth finish without pulling the grout out.

Step 5: Clean the patio

Allow the grout to dry, then use a clean, damp sponge or cloth to wipe away the cloudy grout residue. Repeat this process until all the grout residue has gone. From there, give them a mop with a normal cleaning solution – job done!

We hope that this guide stands you in good stead if you fancy having a crack at your own garden tiling project. 
Be sure to check out our diverse range of durable, practical outdoor tiles to help you bring your visions to life. We even have some stylish garden design ideas to fuel your imagination, as well as practical tips on how to choose the best outdoor tiles for your garden project.