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WHAT ARE THE PORTABLE PATIO© TILES MADE FROM?
Portable Patio© tiles are made from a precision-molded polypropylene. Many folks may be familiar with this material as
it is the same stuff that is used to make molded pickup bed liners. The tiles will not rot, mildew or absorb moisture.
The color goes through the material and is not applied to the surface like paint. They are made to be used out doors
and wear like iron.
There is a rectangular cellar structure on the back of the tiles that provide wall support. The wall thickness of a tile is
about the same as a pickup bed liner – or around 1/8 inch.
The surface of the tiles are sand textured and very non-slip. There is a slight raised, stylized paw print molded into the
surface.
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WHAT IS THE SIZE OF A PORTABLE PATIO© TILE?
Each tile is nominally 2ft square and 1 inch thick. The actual installed size is about 1’-11-1/4” square (which is 3/4
inch shy of a full 2ft square).
To determine the approximate installed size of a Portable Patio©, count the number of tiles in a particular direction.
Multiply this number by 2 ft (each tile is nominally 2ft square) and then subtract 3/4-inch from the result for each tile in
that direction. The tables below present the approximate installed length for a given number tiles.
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Nominal
Length
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Nbr
Tiles
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Approximate Installed
Length
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2'
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1
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1’ – 11-1/4”
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4'
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2
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3’ – 10-1/2”
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6'
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3
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5’ – 9-3/4”
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8'
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4
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7’ - 9”
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10'
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5
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9’ – 8-1/4”
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12'
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6
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11’ – 7-1/2”
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Nominal
Length
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Nbr
Tiles
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Approximate Installed
Length
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14'
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7
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13’ – 6-3/4”
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16'
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8
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15’ – 6”
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18'
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9
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17’ – 5-1/4”
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20'
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10
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19’ – 4-1/2”
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22'
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11
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21’ – 3-3/4”
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24'
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12
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23’ – 3”
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Example: What would be the approximate installed size for an 8’ x 12’ Portable Patio©? Using the tables, above, we
see that for the 8 foot direction we will need 4 tiles. The approximate length would be 7’-9”. In the 12 foot direction, we
will need 6 tiles. The approximate length would be 11’-7-1/2”. Therefore, the approximate installed size for this
Portable Patio© would be 7’-9” by 11’-7-1/2”.
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CAN A PORTABLE PATIO© TILE BE CUT?
Yes, you can cut a Portable Patio© tile with just about any saw. There is a molded drainage channel every 6 inches and
this is a logical place to make the cut if it works out that way. Cutting a tile along the drainage channel results in a very
unnoticeable edge. However, some project may not work out that way so go ahead and make your cuts as the project
requires.
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DO I HAVE TO PREPARE THE GROUND BEFORE INSTALLING A PORTABLE PATIO©?
You can put a Portable Patio© directly on the ground. However, you should rake the area smooth to remove any
mounds and fill in any holes that may be present. If the area has long grass, we suggest mowing short before
installing your Portable Patio©. Because a Portable Patio© tile is solid (no light goes through), any grass under the
tiles will eventually die.
If your ground is particularly heavy and holds moisture, then you might consider putting down a thin layer (3” to 4”) of fine
gravel or pea stone before installing your Portable Patio©. The stone will form a very stable subsurface and provide
good drainage under the tiles.
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CAN I PUT FURNITURE ON A PORTABLE PATIO©?
Certainly! The tiles are very strong and can support a lot of weight. We have driven an 18,000 lb trailer over the tiles
(long story) with out ill effect.
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CAN I LEAVE A PORTABLE PATIO© OUTSIDE DURING THE WINTER?
Yes, the tiles are made to be let outside year around.
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CAN I USE THE PORTABLE PATIO© FOR A RAISED DECK?
Probably not. The Portable Patio© tiles are not a structural element. This means the tiles are not made to span a
distance (such as between floor joists) without underlying support across the full area of the tiles.
If you are resurfacing your deck, the tiles can by used as long as you leave the existing surface before installing the
Portable Patio© tiles.
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