outdoor Tiling

External Tiling Made Simple

Whether you’re planning to tile a patio, swimming pool surrounds, or an outdoor entertainment area, external tiling presents unique challenges; from ensuring adequate drainage, and frost resistance to selecting materials that can withstand the British weather. Here you’ll find trusted products, and practical guidance to help you achieve a lasting, professional finish on your external tiling project.

  • Product categories

  • Wall Substrate

  • Floor Substrate

  • Tile Type

  • Project Type

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    • CLF-03 Flexible Large Format and Natural Stone Adhesive

      Flexible pourable thickbed tile adhesive for use with natural stone & porcelain floor tiles.

      Grout after 3 hours
      Flexible
      For large format and natural stone floor tiles
      Interior and Exterior
      Pourable
      Suitable with underfloor heating
      Find out more Where to Buy

    • GX-500 Flexible Grout

      A flexible wall and floor grout available in eight colours with matching silicones. For use with ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and mosaic tiles.

      For porcelain, natural stone and ceramic tiles
      Up to 15mm joints
      8 colours with matching silicones
      Reduced efflorescence
      Suitable for external use and wet areas
      Suitable for underfloor heating
      24 hour setting time
      Find out more Where to Buy

    outdoor tiling FAQs

    Explore our Project FAQs to find quick answers to common questions about outdoor tiling, including product selection, application guidelines, and best practices for achieving optimal results.

    Q: Which tile adhesive is best for my external tiling project?

    When tiling outdoors, selecting the right adhesive is vital for long-lasting results. Here’s how to choose between Dunlop Adhesive’s external tiling solutions:

    CLF-03 Flexible Large Format and Natural Stone Adhesive

    Ideal when you need:

    • To accommodate varying substrate levels (3-25mm depth capability)
    • Full support for heavy, large format porcelain tiles
    • A free-flowing consistency for maximum coverage
    • To eliminate voids beneath large tiles
    • Quick project completion on patios and terraces

    CF-03 Flexible Fast Set Tile Adhesive

    Perfect choice when:

    • Working on both vertical features and horizontal surfaces
    • Building external steps or retaining walls
    • Creating decorative external wall features
    • You need to grout the same day (3-hour set time)
    • Working with standard-sized tiles
    • Precision placement is required

    CF-24 Flexible Tile Adhesive

    Best solution for:

    • Complex external layouts where tiles need adjustment
    • Tiling in warmer weather conditions
    • Projects where multiple people are laying tiles
    • Situations requiring extended working time
    • Detailed pattern work around features
    • Less experienced DIYers needing more adjustment time

    For Special External Situations:

    • Need enhanced flexibility for freeze-thaw conditions? Add Dunlop Flexible Additive to your chosen adhesive
    • Creating falls or filling depressions? CLF-03 is ideal due to its variable depth capacity

    All Dunlop external adhesives offer excellent frost resistance and durability. Always ensure your substrate has proper drainage with falls between 1:35 and 1:80 away from buildings.

    Still not sure? Contact our Technical Helpline on 01782 591120 for expert advice tailored to your specific external project.

    Q: What preparation do I need for a patio base?

    Your base needs to be:

    • Covered with a waterproof membrane (DPM)
    • Finished with concrete or screed with falls between 1:35 and 1:80 away from buildings
    • Allowed to cure fully (6 weeks for concrete, 21 days for screed – 7 days covered, 14 days air drying)
    • Clean, sound and free from laitance, dust, dirt or anything that could affect adhesion

    Q: What type of adhesive should be used for external porcelain floor tiling?

    Use a flexible, high-performance cement-based adhesive suitable for external applications. Dunlop CLF-03 Large Format & Natural Stone Adhesive is an ideal choice for a number of reasons:

    • Is pourable for easy application
    • Can be applied up to 25mm thick if needed
    • Is specifically designed for external use and porcelain tiles
    • Has excellent water and frost resistance
    • Sets in approximately 3 hours

    Q: How do I apply the Dunlop CLF-03 adhesive?

    Follow these steps:

    • Mix with clean water (4.0-4.2 litres per 20kg bag)
    • Allow to stand 1-2 minutes then remix
    • Pour and spread with a suitable large format solid bed trowel
    • Work in areas up to 1m² at a time
    • Back-butter all tiles to ensure full coverage
    • Press tiles firmly into place using a sliding action
    • Check adhesive coverage regularly by lifting tiles
    • Maintain minimum 3mm joints between tiles

    Q: Do I need movement joints?

    Yes, you must include:

    • Expansion joints every 2.5 to 3m (closer spacing for dark tiles)
    • Perimeter movement joints where tiling meets restraining surfaces
    • All movement joints should be carried through the full depth of the installation

    Q: What grout should I use?

    Use Dunlop GX-500 Flexible Grout mixed with Dunlop Flexible Additive (1:2 with water) because:

    • It’s water and frost-resistant
    • Has reduced efflorescence
    • It provides a smooth, hard-wearing finish
    • Can be used in joints up to 15mm wide
    • Comes in 8 different colours to complement your tile choice

    Q: How long before the area can be used?

    Allow:

    • 3 hours before grouting
    • 24 hours before light foot traffic
    • Protect from adverse weather conditions for at least 24 hours after completion
    • For swimming pools, wait at least 3 weeks after grouting before filling

    Q: What are the key things to remember?

    • Always check the ambient temperature is between 5°C and 25°C during application
    • Protect work from rain, direct sunlight and frost during application
    • Ensure adequate drainage and correct falls are in place
    • Use appropriate movement joints
    • Achieve 100% adhesive coverage
    • Follow recommended mixing and curing times

    Q: How do I cut porcelain tiles for external tiling?

    Porcelain tiles are dense and require specialized cutting tools:

    • Use a diamond blade wet saw for precise and clean cuts.
    • A tile cutter may work for straight cuts on thinner tiles.
    • Smooth cut edges with a diamond file or sanding pad if necessary.

    Q: How do I prevent tiles from becoming slippery when wet?

    Choose tiles with:

    • A high slip-resistance rating (R11 or higher for external use).
    • A textured or structured surface.
    • Anti-slip treatments if additional grip is needed.

    how to tile externally guide

    How To Guide

    Download this handy how-to guide for external floor tiling, offering a simple step-by-step overview covering:

    • Base preparation
    • Surface Preparation
    • Mixing and applying the adhesive
    • Fixing and finishing the tiles

    Top tip

    “The secret to long-lasting outdoor floor tiling isn’t just about choosing the best adhesives – it’s about what happens before you open the bag. Always create a mock layout of your tiles on the dry surface first, taking into account drainage drops and movement joints. This simple step will help you anticipate potential problems and visualise the finished project. These extra minutes of preparation can save hours of rework later and ensure that your exterior tiling will stand the test of time.”

     

    Lewis Lupton – Dunlop Adhesives Training Manager

    Dunlop and the Flying D device are trademarks of Sumitomo Rubber Group and are used under license by Building Adhesives Ltd.

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