The Best Outdoor Flooring For Gravel Yards

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

When you want to expand your outdoor living space without adding grass, there are quite a few landscaping materials to choose from. Brick, concrete, and tile are all popular choices as firm materials, but loose gravel is also an option. Although loose material won't last quite as long as brick or tile, a gravel area could add to a home's value while being cheaper to install than concrete. To make the loose gravel more comfortable and sturdy, you can place firmer flooring materials over the slightly shifting gravel yard.

If you set outdoor furniture directly on a gravel yard, chair and table legs can sink into the material. Rocks can damage metal furniture with chips and scratches. Another thing to consider before installing pea gravel is that it's not all that comfortable under bare feet, or for people who might be using a walker, cane, or wheelchair.

Interlocking outdoor tiles are extremely easy to install over gravel, allowing you to perform a cost-effective DIY project. Maybe you want to create a sidewalk or path in the gravel yard to reach landscaping plants or utility boxes. When you want a firmer surface, durable polypropylene plastic tiles represent a smart outdoor flooring option for going over a slightly uneven surface. If you want a little more flexibility when it comes to interlocking tile materials, consider PVC plastic or rubber. Another advantage with all these tiles is you don't need glue to assemble them, allowing you to disassemble them easily whenever needed.

Firm polypropylene plastic tiles create a sturdy and durable flooring to go over a gravel yard, creating a surface to support furniture or foot traffic. However, use them carefully as they can be brittle and may snap under significant weight. Skillmaid Interlocking Tiles measure 12-by-12 inches, making them easy to handle. The interlocking edge is hidden after completing installation, and they're built to withstand any kind of weather.

PVC plastic tiles have some flexibility, allowing them to conform to the slight surface changes in a gravel yard. PVC tiles work well outdoors, as they're durable and resistant to all kinds of weather. Interlocking Patio Outdoor Tiles measure 12-by-12 inches and have perforations in the material allowing rain to drain through to the gravel below. PVC plastic tiles often contain a slight texture on the surface enhancing their slip-resistant properties even when they're wet.

Rubber tiles are a good choice for flooring over a gravel yard because they're extremely durable and can withstand any weather. They're slip-resistant when wet, offering a naturally grippy surface. The Playsafer Rubber Interlocking Tiles measure 16-by-16 inches and have grooves in the surface resembling a layout of rectangular bricks. Rubber tiles have a little bit of flexibility, meaning they're comfortable to walk on, yet also are impact resistant and firm enough to support outdoor furniture.