Here's how to find the right flooring for your terrace

Natural stone, wood, concrete slabs, ceramic tiles, gravel, clinker bricks, or WPC as a wood substitute are the extensive selections of materials for your terrace design. Here, you'll find assistance in selecting a covering that suits your garden and meets your requirements.

The various materials differ in terms of quality, durability, ecological aspects, appearance, and price. All criteria need to be considered, and then the material must also appeal to you and fit the style of your garden. In modern, formally structured green spaces, for example, large-format floor tiles made of natural stone, porcelain stoneware, or concrete are suitable. However, if your garden is designed in a country or farmhouse style, then clinker bricks or granite paving stones would be more appropriate. In naturalistic settings, seating areas with a gravel surface or irregularly shaped natural stone slabs look great. To create a harmonious overall impression, you should choose the same material for the terrace as for the garden paths and the entrance area of the house. If this is not possible, then make sure that the different types of coverings harmonise with each other. For example, a wooden veranda pairs well with gravel paths, whereas a terrace covered with large-format ceramic tiles does not visually complement a red brick path.

Through various laying patterns, you can adapt almost any material to your style. Because natural stone appears completely different: modern when it's large-format and precisely cut, or rural when it's laid as irregular stones in a gravel bed.

Consider existing conditions

The available space on your property and the orientation of the terrace also plays a crucial role in selecting the flooring material. If your terrace is covered with a pergola, you can confidently equip it with wooden planks, as there will be no rainwater causing dampness and, therefore, no slippery wood surface. If your terrace is located on the south side of the house, as is the case with many properties, the material should not be too light so that the floor does not glare in intense sunlight. You should also avoid using WPC decking for south-facing terraces, as they can heat up significantly in direct sunlight. Walking barefoot on them is very unpleasant in such conditions.

Who uses the terrace? What is it used for?

These two questions should be considered when planning your seating area. For example, if you desire a cosy lounge sofa and also want to allocate space for a dining area, then the terrace area should be sufficiently large and ideally have a clear, rectangular shape. Extra-large format tiles are a good choice because their surface is nice and even, and they result in few joints when laid. Furniture can be placed securely without wobbling. Why not build the matching garden bench or pallet furniture yourself?

If your garden is used by children and the terrace is also intended to be a play area, the flooring should be easy to maintain. For example, a gravel-covered terrace may not bring you much joy unless you also like gravel on your living room carpet, as the stones will come from the terrace into the house. Other things that you should consider when making your garden child-friendly and safe for the little ones can be found in the article about child safety in the garden.

Depending on the material, your terrace requires different maintenance and cleaning efforts. Read here how to get it ready for winter.

With the help of our overview, which highlights all the advantages and disadvantages of the most common types of coverings, you will find the material that suits you best for your terrace floor.

Terrace flooring materials and their advantages and disadvantages:

1. Natural stone

2. Concrete pavers

3. Clinker bricks

4. Porcelain stoneware

5. Gravel or crushed stone

6. Wood

7. WPC

8. Recycled materials

1. Natural stone

Natural paving made of stone complement many garden styles. They are timeless and suitable for Mediterranean designs as well as more natural-looking gardens. Granite, sandstone, limestone, or gneiss always impart an elegant and high-quality appearance.

Try to avoid using natural stone types that originate from Far Eastern countries. In India and other countries, natural stone is often mined by child labour, which is certainly not to be supported. If you still want to use stones from the Far East, make sure that the production is certified, for example, with labels such as Xertifix or Fair Stone. Instead of imported natural stones, you can choose a natural stone that comes from your region, not least to avoid long transportation routes and thus to protect the environment.

Advantages:

• There are many formats available, and you can combine different types of natural stone. Choose smaller paving stones for curved shapes or circular patios. With large slabs, you can create modern seating areas.
• Natural stones are durable and robust.

Disadvantages:

• Natural stone slabs are heavy. For large formats, you may need to entrust their installation to a specialised firm, such as a garden and landscaping company.
• A load-bearing, compacted sub-base is required to prevent the stones from sinking.
• Natural stone slabs can be slippery when wet, especially if polished or covered in moss, so you should clean them occasionally.
• Depending on the type of stone, natural stone slabs can be quite expensive. Consult with a local natural stone dealer for pricing information.

2. Concrete pavers

Concrete blocks have long overcome their former negative image. Nowadays, there are many different varieties of concrete blocks available, offering formats ranging from XXL slabs to small pavers, or even wall stones and stair steps. They no longer have the old “exposed aggregate concrete charm” but successfully mimic natural stones or other materials. You can create individual designs with concrete blocks, as they are very durable and therefore ideal for your driveway.

Advantages:

• Due to their machine production, the blocks and slabs are very uniform and can also be laid on a gravel bed. If you are skilled at crafts, you can pave your terrace yourself.
• Concrete block is generally cheaper than natural stone.
• There is a wide variety of models available. You can get concrete blocks in wood, natural stone, ceramic looks, and even a trendy rust-coloured surface.
• You can cover your terrace with eco-friendly concrete pavers. These pavers allow rainwater to drain better. This way, you save on wastewater fees and do something good for the environment.

Disadvantages:

• Concrete blocks, especially large floor tiles, are heavy.
• A stable, compacted sub-base is definitely necessary.
• The stone colours fade over time.
• Surface protection against dirt must be renewed regularly.

3. Clinker bricks

Clinker paving stones, also known as bricks or brick tiles, are made of pressed and fired clay and are perfect for rural gardens, where they are mostly used in classic red tones. For those who don't want a reddish terrace, beige tones or the very modern-looking, almost black variant are available.

You can easily combine clinker bricks with natural stone. It looks good if you lay clinker bricks in a grid pattern between large natural stone slabs. Terracotta tiles, which are also made of fired clay, are available in various formats and are perfect for a Mediterranean terrace.

Advantages:

• Clinker bricks can be laid in various patterns, creating a unique look.
• Clinker bricks are durable, colour-stable, and long-lasting.
• You can lay clinker bricks in a gravel bed. However, a stable sub-base is important.

Disadvantages:

• Clinker bricks are more expensive than concrete blocks.
• The stones can become mossy in shaded areas and then become slippery when wet. Regular cleaning is therefore advisable. This task can be made easier with tools like the compact brush from Bosch.
• A clinker brick surface has many joints where weeds can settle. You can learn how to effectively remove moss here.

4. Porcelain stoneware

In recent years, large-format porcelain stoneware tiles have become increasingly popular for garden furnishings. You can design your garden, especially the terrace, just as comfortably with these outdoor tiles as you would the interior of your house. Porcelain stoneware is a very hard and waterproof type of ceramic, making it ideal for outdoor use.

When making a purchase, make sure to choose high-quality porcelain stoneware tiles. The tiles should not have any inward curvature, as rainwater can accumulate, leading to puddles and ultimately unsightly stains. For cutting the tiles, you'll need special tools such as the multifunction tool PMF 350 CES with the appropriate attachment. If you also need to drill into tiles, read here for instructions on how to do it.

Advantages:

• Porcelain stoneware tiles are thinner than natural stone or concrete pavers, making them lighter.
• The tile or wood appearance gives your terrace a very homely character.
• Tiles fired at high temperatures are resistant to red wine, grease, and sauce stains. So, you can confidently equip your outdoor dining area with easy-to-clean porcelain stoneware tiles.
• Depending on the surface finish, from glossy to matt to textured, the tiles have corresponding slip resistance. Make sure your terrace tiles have a high slip resistance class (R); for outdoor use, at least R10 is recommended.

Disadvantages:

• Large-format porcelain stoneware tiles can be quite cumbersome and may break easily if not fully supported. Therefore, laying them is not so straightforward.
• Regular cleaning is necessary; otherwise, the tiles can quickly look dirty. Here, the Bosch Aquatak high-pressure cleaner can assist you, especially when used in combination with the convenient Aquasurf attachment.

5. Gravel or crushed stone

If you don't want to cover your terrace with slabs or paving stones but still prefer a stone material, you can cover it with gravel or crushed stone. To do this, the base must first be stabilised with a layer of gravel, and then a layer of gravel or crushed stone, approximately 5 cm thick, is installed on top. The difference between gravel and crushed stone: the surface of the gravel has been rounded by water movement. Walking barefoot on gravel is more pleasant than walking on a surface covered with crushed stone because crushed stone is a broken material. The small crushed stone pieces have been mechanically crushed and have sharp edges. However, these angular pieces interlock better than the round pebbles. On surfaces covered with crushed stone, you won't slip as much when walking, and your garden furniture will also have a stable footing on these surfaces. The smaller the stones, the more resistant both gravel and crushed stone surfaces are to foot traffic. So, choose the smallest grain size possible for your terrace. The stones should be only 8 to 16 mm in size. If the stones are smaller than 8 mm, they can get stuck between your toes when walking barefoot.

When creating gravel or crushed stone areas, make sure to leave enough green space. Gravel gardens can be frowned upon but may also be prohibited depending on the area you live in, such as in Baden-Württemberg. Nationwide regulations stipulate that undeveloped areas must be water-permeable and green to avoid harming animals, the environment, and the climate.

Advantages:

• Gravel or crushed stone is not as expensive as natural stone slabs or pavers.
• You can easily install the loose material yourself.
• You can choose the shape for your gravel or crushed stone terrace freely, as gravel or crushed stone can fill in small corners.
• There are many colour variations available.

Disadvantages:

• The installation of a honeycomb grid to stabilize the surface is recommended but requires additional effort.
• Removing wild herbs that accumulate on the surface is not easy. Weeding is necessary!
• Autumn leaves get stuck between the stones and need to be raked or blown away. However, this can be done quite well with the Universal Garden Tidy 2300 from Bosch, as you can regulate the air intake flow downwards and only suck in leaves but not stones.
• Bordering the terrace with a row of stones or a metal rail is recommended to prevent the stones from slipping into surrounding flower beds or lawn areas.

6. Wood

A seating area made of wood creates a cosy atmosphere and exudes a holiday feeling. If your garden terrain is sloping, you can create a raised wooden veranda as a terrace. You have the choice between native woods or tropical woods. Native woods such as larch, oak, Douglas fir, or robinia are suitable, some of which are made even more weather-resistant through a heat treatment and are sold as thermally modified wood. For tropical woods like ipe, bangkirai, or teak, you must ensure that they bear the FSC or PEFC certification mark, indicating that they come from sustainable sources. However, the first choice should still be native wood to support shorter transportation routes and to have the assurance of not destroying rainforest areas. Bamboo is technically not a type of wood because it grows so quickly, but it is sustainable and very durable.

Because wood is easy to work with, you can take matters into your own hands and build your own terrace! Various 18V tools from Bosch, all powered by the same battery, can assist you along with our step-by-step guide.

Advantages:

• Wood creates a cosy atmosphere.
• The surface does not heat up significantly under intense sunlight and can be walked on barefoot.
• Wooden terraces can be constructed as raised decks, making it easier to utilise slopes.

Disadvantages:

• Wood is not as durable as stone.
• Native woods such as larch, oak, or robinia should be treated annually with maintenance oil.
• The wooden planks must be installed with a substructure to prevent them from contacting the ground.
• Wood can warp due to weather conditions. Sufficiently large expansion joints must be present.
• Wooden terraces are not recommended in shady areas, as the wood surface, even if textured, becomes slippery when wet. Moreover, without sufficient sunlight, wood surfaces do not dry quickly enough.
• Wooden terraces should be regularly cleaned and maintained.

7. WPC

This artificial material is a mixture of plastic, wood, and other additives. Decking boards and click tiles are made from WPC (wood-plastic composite). When a WPC terrace has a wood-like appearance, it looks very homely but does not have the natural charm of a wooden terrace. Nowadays, there are also WPC boards or tiles that visually resemble porcelain stoneware or reclaimed wood planks and can naturally expand the design possibilities for your terrace.

Advantages:

• WPC does not require maintenance with oils.
• The material is long-lasting and splinter-free.
• There are many different colour variations available.

Disadvantages:

• WPC surfaces heat up in strong sunlight.
• The colour may change over time.
• Decking boards with hollow chamber profiles may warp. It's better to choose solid profiles.
• A WPC terrace requires a stable foundation and a substructure made of wood, WPC, aluminium, or steel.

8. Recycled materials

You've repaved your garden paths or removed old concrete slabs from your front yard. What to do with the seemingly discarded stones and slabs? Why not simply use them as terrace flooring instead of disposing of them? For example, you can simply flip the concrete slabs upside down or lay them partially right-side up and partially upside down in a checkerboard pattern. You can also complement them with other materials, such as a border made of old bricks or natural stones.

When repurposing old stones or floor tiles, you can let your imagination run wild and combine various leftover stones like a mosaic. The area just needs to be solid and stable.

Tip: Inquire at waste collection points or the local public recycling centres in your area to see if old building materials can be picked up free of charge.

Advantages:

• The old material is recycled and does not need to be disposed of.
• The acquisition is cheap or even free.
• Individual terrace designs can be created.
• Long transportation distances are avoided.

Disadvantages:

• The installation of old materials is labour-intensive, requiring skill and creativity. However, some garden and landscaping companies already offer to use existing old materials in construction.

If you want to know more about when various gardening tasks need to be done, you can consult our garden calendar, which provides the right timing for all essential activities.