The Best Surfaces For Outdoor Flooring

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Need to upgrade your outdoor flooring?

If you’re looking for durable, long-lasting outdoor flooring that balance function with aesthetics — you’ve come to the right place. Find out which surface is best for you with our comprehensive guide.

X-Bond Microcement

What is it?

Microcement is a cement and polymer-based coating which is thinly applied as a seamless, continuous floor coating.

We’ve been installing X-Bond for decades in residential and commercial environments where a concrete aesthetic is desired — but too difficult to achieve with real concrete. If you want to know more about the finishes and capabilities of X-Bond, read our microcement fact sheet.

Microcement is a versatile overlay for all external flooring applications, as well as pools and pool surrounds.

When to use it?

  • You love the concrete look, but need a floor that’s resistant to temperature changes. Unlike concrete, microcement won’t contract or expand in extreme cold or heat!

  • You’re resurfacing damaged or old substrates; X-Bond can be applied directly on top of cracked concrete, tiles, stone, wood and more without needing to remove the existing materials. There’s no need for demolition in your next backyard renovation — you can remodel without removal to save costs and time.

  • You want an easy-to-clean outdoor floor with no joints or grout lines.

  • You want a beautiful surface that also has a high slip rating. The X-Bond Blade finish is highly textured surface for safety in areas that get wet often, like swimming pools or uncovered pathways.

  • You need a floor surface that’s lightweight yet strong; X-Bond is only 2-3mm thick but can withstand heavy traffic and pressure. This is perfect for areas like balconies or rooftop terraces.

  • You want the same surface for your outdoor flooring and inside your pools.

Permeable paving

What it is:

A porous flooring solution, permeable paving allows water to filter through it into the ground below. Our permeable surface of choice is the Seamless Overlays Terradec Permeable Paving collection.

This particular system features tiny natural stones hand-installed as one a seamless coating. It’s able to be applied over an existing surface of concrete or crushed rock, which makes it a popular choice in both renovations and new builds.

Permeable flooring is suitable for a range of applications including: footpaths, garden paths, carparks, garages, driveways, tree surrounds, bicycle trails, terraces, balconies, swimming pool decks and surrounds.

When to use it:

Choose this durable, textured floor finish if:

  • Your outdoor flooring needs to meet regulatory requirements regarding stormwater management and environmental protection.

  • You need to prevent erosion in areas with loose soil that are prone to heavy rain — including lawns, gardens and outdoor living spaces.

  • You want to minimise stormwater runoff by allowing it to infiltrate into the ground, preventing flooding after heavy rain.

  • You’re searching for materials that are good for the environment; by allowing water to penetrate the ground, permeable paving helps recharge groundwater levels.

  • You want your floors to withstand heavy traffic and fluctuating weather conditions including frost and high UV levels.

Quartz Carpet

What is it?

Quartz Carpet™ has been produced in Belgium for over 20 years by renowned inventors of high-quality, coloured quartz. This stone covering is hand-trowelled over existing substrates with an application process involving little mess.

It’s a highly resilient surface perfect for high-traffic areas and vehicles. Available in permeable and non-permeable variations, it can be installed indoors too — a key difference to Terradec stone flooring.

When to use it

  • You want a highly durable, vehicle-friendly surface that’s easy to install and maintain.

  • You’re resurfacing damaged or old substrates; like microcement, Quartz carpet is an overlay and can be installed over a wide range of existing surfaces. This can save you the inconvenience of demolition in your next backyard renovation.

  • You want a wide range of colorways to choose from for a unique solution to practical outdoor flooring.

  • You want the option of a permeable or non-permeable finish. When installed internally, spaces between the quartz stones will be filled to ensure the floor is moppable. For outdoor flooring, the spaces are unfilled so that the final surface is water-permeable and UV stable.