The days of excavating rusted folding chairs from the garage after a long winter, and calling that outdoor entertaining, are long gone. Outdoor entertainment areas today encompass space for entertaining with the odd secluded spot for being on your own, lots of comfortable seating, attractive flooring, often a built-in braai, full kitchen areas with work surfaces — and of course showers!

Sun, sand and shower

Whether you are rinsing the sand from between your toes after a long day at the beach or washing away the day's stress under the stars, showering outdoors can be a therapeutic experience that connects you with nature. From a simple faucet to an elaborate spa creation, outdoor showers have become an essential feature.

Cooling down outside is the hottest thing in home design. Tile Africa has the following suggestions when planning your outdoor shower:

Examine the conditions

Natural elements can take their toll on an outdoor shower, so look for fixtures that will stand up to salt, sand, and sun.

Use mildew and rot resistant materials and carefully seal the area where the shower joins house walls.

Tiles provide the perfect backing for an outdoor shower — they are long lasting, weather resistant and easy to clean. Try some new look mosaics in natural materials or frosted glass, or create your own design using the wide variety of mosaics available. Don't forget to waterproof under tiles to shower rose height.

Evaluate the function

Is your outdoor shower for bathing sandy kids or for fully fledged relaxation? If all you want is a quick rinse, you can get away with the barest of plumbing, but if you want to bring the conveniences of the indoors out, consider upgrading your hot water system if guests linger under the spray.

Design the drain

When you build over sandy soil, you may need only an opening in the flooring, but soils that drain slowly will require more elaborate systems, such as a French drain, which directs water underground or into the main waste line. Soap and shampoo residue can clog drainage systems, in addition to threatening the natural vegetation, so use eco-friendly products.

Remember the plumbing

If you're constructing a new home, run plumbing in the wall that the outdoor shower shares with the house. But if you have to retrofit a shower, consider hiding exposed pipes behind a wall built for this purpose.

With all these products, installation is an important consideration. It is critical that the correct methods and materials are used in order to ensure a successful end result.

Outdoor areas

Tiles are ideal for outdoor entertaining areas, particularly those made from natural materials like stone, marble, slate or granite. The look is organic elegance, with added benefits of excellent durability and little maintenance being required.

How to care for your outdoor tiles:

  • It is vital that stone tiles are properly sealed when installed and periodically thereafter.

  • Use a broom with a bristle that matches your surface, a soft broom for smooth finishes and medium soft for textured surfaces.

  • Clean the floor with warm water only. Use a mop and wring it out well before applying to the floor.

  • Allow the floor to dry completely before walking on it or replacing throw rugs or area carpets.

  • Clean spills on slate floors immediately. Work from the outside of the spill to the inside, keeping the spill from spreading to the grout and the edges of the flooring. Soak up the excess with paper towels or cleaning rags. Mop the area with warm water.

  • If grout becomes stained, use a product such as Grout Renu from Tile and Floorcare, and then use a grout sealant to help prevent further staining.

When adding a new outdoor entertainment area to your current living space, or changing the space you have, consider how the space will be used. Do you want a formal or informal area? Will it be primarily for private use or do you plan to entertain? Will you be adding or remodeling your pool area at any time? Will children be using the area and is it safe?

The answers to these questions will guide your design choices during the construction or renovation of your outdoor space. Don't forget to outfit your outdoors according to your lifestyle and the time you have available for maintenance.

This information is from Tile Africa