Tiling A Garden Wall: Tips, Tricks & Inspiration

If you’re looking to give your garden a makeover in time for full-blown summer, this blog could be just what you need. 

Today, we’re going to be laying out some top tips, tricks and inspiration for tiling garden walls. Yes, outdoor tiles can do more than just patios and paths – and we’re here to tell you how. 

Why tile exterior walls? 

If you’re daunted by the prospect of exterior wall tiling, there are a few practical perks that could sway your decision. 

• Protection: exposed to the elements, your home’s garden walls see their fair share of water, wind and extreme temperatures. Tiling garden walls gives them added protection and longevity
• Durability: made from porcelain or hard natural stones like granite and slate, exterior wall tiles are incredibly hard and durable. With a robust glazed surface and sealed with grout, they won’t scratch, stain or take on water – helping to keep your garden looking its best for longer
• Texture: your garden is filled with different textures and colours, and exterior wall tiles can really work to add depth and character to nature-focused spaces
• Practical: mud and dirt are inevitable features in the garden, but you can make garden maintenance hassle-free by tiling garden walls. Waterproof and wipable, keeping your garden walls clean is a doddle
• Style: whether you go for real slate or patterned outdoor tiles, you can make your garden wall tiles a striking design feature that combines fashion with function

Tips for exterior wall tiling

Okay, so you now know why tiling your exterior walls could be the way to go. 

But how do you tile outside walls?

When it comes to tiling garden walls, one option is to leave it to a professional tiler to whack them up on the wall. But if you fancy having a go at exterior wall tiling yourself, here are a few handy tips to get the job done right. 

To start with, here are the outdoor tiling tools and essentials you’ll need:

• Outdoor tiles
• Tile adhesive
• Tile grout
• Electric tile cutter
• Notched trowel
• Grout float
• Tile spacers
• Wooden battens & nails
• Pencil
• Spirit level
• Measuring tape
• Primer
• Mixing buckets
• Clean cloths and sponges

Installing garden wall tiles: step-by-step

With the right tiling essentials to hand, it’s time to start tiling your garden wall, following these simple steps. 

1. Prepare the surface by removing any bumps and screws, then clean the surface with a bristled brush and water to get rid of dirt and debris. Allow to dry.

2. To give your adhesive the best bond, apply a layer of primer to the surface and allow it to dry.

3. Measure the wall’s height and length to work out how many tiles you will need (height x length = total square metre). Then find the centre of the baseline and draw a vertical line from here to the top as your starting point. 

4. Using a spirit level on the horizontal line, mark out the true level to make sure your tiles are laid straight. Nail a wooden batten along this line as a guide and support for the first row of tiles.  

5. Calculate how many tile cuts you’ll need for the edges by doing a dry lay of your design on the ground. We’d recommend doing your tile cuts before you start laying tiles to save time and avoid your adhesive drying out.

6. Mix your adhesive and apply a thin layer up to 1 square metre at a time, and use the notched edge of the trowel to create a grooved surface at your starting line. Lay your first tile with the edge following your vertical line. Press it firmly into the adhesive and use your spirit level to make sure it’s laid evenly.

7. Working from the centre to the edges, lay the rest of the tiles row by row. Use tile spacers between each tile joint for uniform spacing and keep a close check that the rows are level.

8. Allow the adhesive to set (check the manufacturer’s instructions), then remove tile spacers.

9. Apply tile grout between the tile joints using a grout float to press the solution all the way into the gaps for a solid seal. Wipe away any excess grout from the tile surface with a damp sponge. Also, run the sponge carefully along the tile joints to give them a smooth finish.

10. Once the grout is dry, wipe away the grout film with a clean sponge – this process may need to be repeated several times.

Ideas for tiling garden walls

Exterior wall tiling can really help to elevate your garden’s design and give your green space extra character. And if you need a little inspiration on how to tile your outside walls, we have a few tiling ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Rustic vibes: if your garden has a more rustic, country feel, cladding a wall with some stone-effect outdoor tiles will instantly up the charm stakes. Framed by a cute trellis and lots of colourful flowers, installing wall tiles outside bring texture and character in abundance.

Sleek and simple: clean, modern minimalism isn’t just for inside the home. With some dark grey, smooth outdoor wall tiles you can give outdoor areas a refined and sophisticated finish. Complete the look with a contemporary fire pit and outdoor furniture for a super stylish patio design idea.

Funky focal features: make your outdoor tiles the star of the show with tiled garden walls that aren’t afraid to use patterns and colour. Vibrant yellow, orange and red designs are a bold choice, while pale pinks, greens and blues can deliver a more soothing feel.

Tantalising textures: one of the beauties of the garden is how varied the landscape can be – your outside walls are all part of that. To give your outdoor design some added oomph, why not consider outdoor tiles with a textured finish? Whether you go for a simple matt finish or you create added texture with a cobblestone look outdoor tile, they’re guaranteed to deliver depth and interest in outdoor areas.

Giving your garden walls a little TLC doesn’t have to be limited to a lick of paint. With garden wall tiles, you can give outdoor spaces a whole new look with practicality built in.
If you’re ready to take on an exterior wall tiling project, check out our full collection of durable and stylish outdoor tiles. Or, keep reading our home interior design blog for even more inspo and tips!