Flooring Choices for a Porch Near a Pool

Q: I am redoing my porch area. I have a pool and it is the main thoroughfare from the pool to the house and will constantly be getting wet. I want to put down ceramic tile but my wife thinks it will take too long to install. She wants to put down linoleum but I think it will be too slippery when the kids run in wet. I know in the long run tile is better and more durable. I use to install flooring so laying it is not a problem but I have worked with flooring for a living in 15 years and don’t know much about the different types that are out now. Please let me know what you think would be best and if there are any new types of flooring out now that would be fitting for this location. Thanks for any help you may be able to provide me.
Mark Waldron
Sumter SC
A: As far as choosing a floor that is less likely to having slipping issues when wet, flooring choices like ceramic tile and slate are good choices. However, if this is outdoor, I would lean more toward stone than ceramic. I had a quick chat with Tad A., iFLOOR.com’s Director of Installation, about his opinion on this subject and he mentioned that he had concerns with ceramic breaking in an outdoor environment. Tad suggested looking into a concrete option or stone. You can also look into vinyl tile, especially those that are textured similar to the Forum and Regal plank from Congoleum for wet areas, but again if this is outdoor lean toward stone or concrete options. I would avoid using wood products like laminate, cork and hardwood floors because the amount of water is a huge risk and will most likely cause you to encounter warping.
Although you will need to take a bit more time to install stone or tile, I would mention to your wife that taking the extra time to ensure it is done right and is the best solution for your project is worth far more than putting in the “easier and faster” choices which will (most likely) have to be replaced because it can not handle the amount of moisture.
Update: Tammi from our sales department gave me a couple of great links for some stamped concrete. She also mentioned “I have a friend that has it in his downstairs/wine cellar and it looks really high end.”
http://www.kemiko.com/
http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/decorative/
You’ll notice that some of the patterns look just like stone tiles and various other patterns and paint work to achieve many great looks out of concrete!