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What Is the Best Arbor Flooring?

By Kyle Schurman

Created: May, 2021

Arbor flooring can give a tired garden space a significant uplift, creating a safer place to spend time, while complementing the feeling of beauty and relaxation gardeners are trying to generate.

Because it has constant exposure to the elements, arbor flooring requires certain characteristics to deliver the durability and performance required. Some of the best flooring options include:

  • Patio Outdoor Tile
  • StayLock Perforated Tile
  • Ergo Matta Perforated Outdoor Tile
  • Safety Matta Perforated Tile

What Do People Use a Garden Arbor for?

An arbor can be a freestanding structure that supports vining plants, or it may attach to a building or another structure for support. It often serves as the entryway to the garden, so any installed flooring can help to set the tone the gardener wants for the space. The arbor will provide shelter, a bit of shade, or even some privacy for those visiting the garden.

Whether the garden is at home, near a company break room patio, or in a courtyard for apartments, adding an arbor can create an impressive feel in the space.

When it comes to selecting flooring, the right materials can make a safe entry space for walking underneath the arbor and entering the garden. Some gardeners may even choose to install the same tiles under the arbor and along any paths in the garden, giving visitors clear walkways to use without damaging plants and without having to trudge through mud.

Although some people may have a temptation to use hardwood, laminate, vinyl, or carpet in the garden sitting space, depending on the model selected, these materials may not stand up to the weather. Instead, for arbor flooring that’s exposed to regular sun, rain, and other types of weather, plan for PVC plastic material.

A PVC plastic tile will be easy to install, often using an interlocking edge that allows the tiles to pop together without the need for any adhesive. To move the tiles later, just pull them apart and place them in storage or take them to the new location.

These tiles have a little bit of flexibility to them, so they can go over the top of dirt, compacted gravel, grass, or mulch that’s slightly uneven. Refinishing or reconfiguring the base material rarely needs to occur because of the flexibility of these PVC tiles.

As a final benefit, PVC tiles often have perforations that extend through the entire thickness of the tile, which allows rainwater to naturally drain away, rather than pool on the top.

What Are Some Colorful Options for Arbor Flooring?

Arbor flooring that’s colorful can create a fun and lighthearted feeling in the garden, complementing the colors of flowers or the arbor itself.

Patio Outdoor TileWith the Patio Outdoor Tile product, installers can select among colors of gray, terra cotta, or blue. Each 1-by-1-foot tile has a hidden interlocking tab and loop system on the edges that simplifies installation.

At only 1/2 inch in thickness and only 1 pound per tile, installing these tiles in a garden setting underneath an arbor is a simple DIY job.

Along with the perforations that extend through the entire thickness of these tiles, the base section has drainage channels around small support pegs that allow the water to flow away naturally.



StayLock Perforated TileFor a bit of fall height protection in the tiles for an arbor, the StayLock Perforated Tile product is a popular choice. At 9/16 inches in thickness, these PVC plastic tiles have an ASTM fall height rating of 20 inches, helping to protect those walking on the tiles from the chance of serious injury in case of a fall.

Each tile has small pegs on the underside that lift the tile away from the ground and allow water to drain away quickly. This tile is available in colors of blue, green, gray, terra cotta, and tan.



Ergo Matta Perforated Outdoor TileFor more color options in an arbor floor tile, the Ergo Matta Perforated Outdoor Tile product delivers eight different selections of:

  • Blue
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • Red
  • Gray
  • White
  • Black
  • Beige


These rectangular shaped tiles measure 9/16 inches in thickness, providing the perfect mix of cushion, firmness, and durability. Each tile has small pegs underneath that lift the tile away from the ground, so water can drain through the perforations in the tile and flow away.

What Are the Safest Non-Slip Tiles to Use in a Garden Arbor?

Safety Matta Perforated TileFor a grippy tread in the surface of the interlocking tile, the Safety Matta Perforated Tile is an excellent choice. This tile has a non-slip diamond shield tread that creates a safe walking path in any kind of tough weather.

Water will not pool on top of these tiles, as they have perforations that extend through the entire 1 inch thickness of the tile. Pegs on the underside of the tile lift the base away from the ground, so water can flow freely away from the walking path and arbor entryway.

These tiles consist of recycled products, which is a great choice for a natural garden setting.