3 Types of Flooring to Use for a Screened Porch

Having a screened porch can provide you with a great, relaxing area in your home. When building your screened porch, you will want to make sure that you choose the proper flooring for the job. Here are a few of many different flooring options to consider.

1. Indoor Outdoor Carpet

One of the most popular types of flooring for a screened porch is indoor outdoor carpet. Indoor outdoor carpet is soft and absorbs noise. It is very short and compact, and it is available in a variety of styles and patterns. When you select a carpet for the porch, you should make sure that it is meant for both indoor and outdoor use. Carpets that are good for outdoor use are made to resist UV rays and are better able to handle moisture. If you put a regular piece of carpet out there, it will fade quickly and possibly develop mold and mildew. 

2. Porcelain Tile

Using porcelain tile is another popular option for a screened porch. With porcelain tile, you can create a beautiful, customized look for the floor. It comes in a variety of colors, styles and sizes. When selecting a tile for outdoor use, you need to make sure that the tile is porcelain instead of normal ceramic. Porcelain tile is more dense than normal ceramic tile and therefore will not absorb as much moisture. If you were to select ceramic tile, it could absorb water and then break into pieces when it freezes. With porcelain tile, you can avoid this problem and keep your floor looking good. 

When installing the tile on top of a wood porch, you will want to make sure that you use concrete board beneath the tile. If you install the tile directly onto the wood sub floor, it will not be strong enough to fully support the tile and it will crack.

3. Wooden Deck Tiles

Another product that has rapidly grown in popularity is wooden deck tiles. Wooden deck tiles are little slats of wood that are held together by a plastic track. The track helps hold the wood up off of the ground and allows moisture to drain through. Wooden deck tiles are specially treated to be very durable and to resist moisture and UV rays. They do not scratch or dent easily and can provide you with a beautiful wood look for your screened porch floor.

Installing wooden deck tiles is extremely easy as well. The track below the wood has a locking mechanism that allows you to hook it into the next tile. Therefore, the only tool that you will need is a saw to cut the tile to fit the dimensions of the porch.