That's a smart move—I learned the hard way after installing some gorgeous tiles that turned into a skating rink whenever it rained. Ended up having to put down rugs everywhere, which kinda defeated the purpose of choosing nice flooring in the first place. Curious though, did you find any particular material that felt both comfy underfoot and stayed grippy when wet? I've been eyeing natural stone lately, but still on the fence about maintenance...
"Curious though, did you find any particular material that felt both comfy underfoot and stayed grippy when wet?"
Been there with the slippery tiles—nothing like an unexpected ice skating session to make you rethink your choices, haha. I switched to natural stone a few years back, and honestly, I've been pretty happy with it. Went with a textured sandstone—it's eco-friendly, looks nice and earthy, and has decent grip even when wet. Maintenance-wise, it’s not as bad as some people say; just needs a good sealing every couple years to keep stains from setting in. But hey, that's pretty much standard for most outdoor materials anyway.
One thing I'd suggest from experience: pick something with a bit of texture or roughness. Smooth polished stones look amazing, but they're just as slick as tiles once wet. I’ve also seen friends use composite decking made from recycled materials—it holds up great in wet weather, has decent grip, and is comfy underfoot. Worth looking into if you prefer something lower maintenance.
Either way, steer clear of overly polished surfaces...unless you’re secretly training for Olympic figure skating. 😉
I went with composite decking myself, and honestly, it's been a lifesaver. Had natural stone before, looked great but got tired of resealing it every couple years. Composite feels nice underfoot, stays grippy even after heavy rain, and cleanup is just a quick hose-down. Only downside is it can get a bit warm in direct sun, but nothing unbearable...and definitely beats slipping around like Bambi on ice after every drizzle.
How's the composite holding up with furniture? I've been tempted by composite myself, but wasn't sure if heavier patio furniture would leave dents or marks over time. Currently have brick pavers—look amazing with the historic vibe of my place—but yeah, maintenance is no joke. Ever try walking barefoot on sun-baked brick? Talk about a dance routine...
I've worked with composite decks on a few outdoor projects, and honestly, they've held up surprisingly well to furniture—even the hefty stuff. Had one client who insisted on these massive iron chairs (I swear they weighed a ton), and I was a little nervous at first, picturing permanent dents or marks. But after two summers of BBQs and lounging sessions, we moved things around and... nothing. Not even a slight indentation.
Your brick paver comment made me laugh though—reminded me of a patio I did last year for a historic home downtown. Looked gorgeous, but yeah, stepping out barefoot midday felt like walking across hot coals. Composite definitely wins in the barefoot-friendly department.
Still, I get the appeal of brick for that classic charm—it's hard to beat aesthetically. But if you're looking to cut down on maintenance without sacrificing too much style, composite is honestly a solid choice.
