The Outdoor Surface Revolution: MSI's Guide To Weather-Resistant Materials For Exterior Living Spaces

Outdoor living has transformed from a seasonal luxury to a must-have feature of the modern home. More than ever, homeowners, designers, and builders are creating multipurpose exterior environments that rival the comfort and functionality of indoor spaces. From full-scale exterior kitchens and dining patios to cozy fire features, serene poolscapes, and lush play areas, today’s alfresco designs are as thoughtfully curated as interior spaces. These outdoor retreats not only look beautiful but also function as true extensions of indoor living, creating versatile and functional spaces that often incorporate exceptional surfacing materials, such as outdoor tile, pavers, stacked stone, and artificial turf, to achieve both beauty and durability.

This shift has driven a demand for weather-resistant, stylish materials that not only endure the elements but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of the outdoors. Homeowners and designers are seeking solutions that offer lasting beauty with minimal maintenance, especially in high-traffic or areas prone to harsh exposure. Enter MSI—an industry leader providing innovative, easy-to-maintain surfaces that seamlessly blend high performance with elevated design style.

For those living in colder climates, choosing the right materials is even more critical. Outdoor surfaces must withstand freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snowfall, and temperature swings without cracking, warping, or losing their visual appeal. To help guide selections, the chart below outlines the cold-weather suitability and key benefits for our top outdoor hardscape surfaces:

These insights help ensure that the surface materials you choose not only suit your style and layout but also hold up to the challenges of winter climates—keeping your outdoor spaces beautiful and functional all year long.

Our portfolio of innovative materials is designed to meet the modern demand for outdoor surfaces that offer durability, versatility, and lasting beauty. With solutions tailored to elevate exterior spaces of all kinds, we empower homeowners and designers to bring their visions to life, creating beautiful spaces that endure. Let’s delve deeper into our top-performing selections, featuring practical applications and expert insights to help you design cohesive, low-maintenance, and effortlessly stylish environments.

Natural Stone Countertops:
Refined Surfaces for Open Air Living

Granite Countertops

Engineered by nature, granite countertops are one of the most durable choices for outdoor cooking and dining spaces. They tolerate extreme heat and cold without cracking, resist scratches from everyday use, and won’t fade under direct sun exposure. When properly sealed, they’re also highly resistant to stains and moisture—perfect for active entertainment areas. With striking veining and natural variation, granite adds instant luxury and personality to any outdoor kitchen or bar area.

Desert Beach Granite

Desert Beach Granite exudes richness with its creamy white background punctuated with rich tones of cocoa. This multidimensional polished surface is as beautiful as it is functional, resisting weathering and offering long-term performance. Its heat resistance makes it ideal for grill surrounds, and, when sealed, its low porosity ensures ease of cleaning and maintenance—perfect for homeowners who want natural beauty without compromise.

Quartzite Countertops

Offering understated luxury, quartzite countertops bring modern refinement to exterior kitchens and prep spaces. Their high density and non-porous surface eliminate the need for sealing, while also resisting water absorption, bacteria, and staining. With excellent thermal conductivity, it’s a great choice for outdoor use, remaining stable in both hot and freezing conditions. Their soft texture provides a unique tactile quality that sets them apart from other stone surfaces.

Acquatic Quartzite

Acquatic Quartzite merges the serene movement of water with bold, contemporary grandeur. This natural stone is characterized by a captivating blend of cool gray hues and subtle veining, echoing the tranquil patterns found in nature. Its rich detailing and refined color palette make it a striking centerpiece for outdoor kitchens, island counters, and alfresco dining bars. Ideal for high-traffic exterior settings, it retains its polish and structural integrity through every season.

Stacked Stone:
Dimension Meets Durability

Rockmount^™ Stacked Stone

Combining genuine stone construction with modular convenience, Rockmount^™ Stacked Stone is a go-to for outdoor designs that demand dimension and character. These panels use a Z-shaped edge system to conceal seams and deliver a seamless design, even on complex structures. Their raw texture and rich colors make them suitable for fireplace surrounds, columns, retaining walls, and more. Designed for both contractors and DIY enthusiasts, they offer professional-grade results without complex installation.

Rockmount^™ XL Sierra Blue Stacked Stone

Sierra Blue features a dramatic palette of deep slate grays, steel blues, and rusty highlights. Its visual complexity enhances the architectural appeal of patios, fire features, and entrance pillars. The layered surface catches light, creating dynamic shadows that shift throughout the day. Perfect for both warm and cool-toned landscapes, this stacked stone provides an eye-catching accent that grounds your outdoor space in texture and natural beauty.

Stone Veneers:
Authentic Texture, Lightweight Versatility

Terrado^® Manufactured Stone Veneers

For the look of natural stone without the weight or installation complexity, Terrado^® Manufactured Stone Veneers deliver rich texture and dimension in a more flexible format. These artisan-crafted veneers are made from lightweight aggregates and molded from real stone to capture the fine details of color, surface texture, and dimensionality. Ideal for large exterior surfaces, columns, outdoor fireplaces, and feature walls, they offer impressive curb appeal with easier handling and cost efficiency. Resistant to the elements and engineered for longevity, Terrado^® Stone Veneers are a smart choice for homeowners seeking the perfect blend of design and practicality.

Oakwood Beige Loose Veneers

Oakwood Beige loose veneers blend warm beige tones with medium variations to create a soft, sun-washed effect that enhances modern and traditional architecture alike, providing the perfect backdrop for open-air fireplaces and gathering zones. With its authentic stacked-stone appearance and tonal variation, it adds warmth, dimension, and a sense of permanence to facades, patio enclosures, and vertical features, without the structural demands of natural stone. Whether used to clad an entire exterior or as an accent, Oakwood Beige brings rustic elegance with ease of installation.

Pavers:
Enduring Surfaces Beneath Your Feet

Arterra^® Porcelain Pavers

Elevate your outdoor space with the unmatched beauty and advanced performance of Arterra^® Porcelain Pavers. Beyond just basic patio tiles, these pavers provide the elegant appearance of natural stone combined with the durability and ease of porcelain. They stand strong against stains, moisture, and UV damage, all while needing very little maintenance. This makes them an excellent choice for patios, pool decks, and dining area terraces. With consistent sizing and crisp edges, they simplify layout planning and installation. Engineered with ZeroSlip^™ technology, they provide superior grip in wet conditions, making them as safe as they are stylish. From modern to rustic spaces, these porcelain pavers provide a dependable foundation for long-lasting exterior design.

Soreno Grigio Porcelain Pavers

Soreno Grigio delivers sleek, modern style with its rich gray tones and subtle stone texture. The matte finish enhances slip resistance while offering a refined, understated luxury suited to contemporary and transitional outdoor designs. Whether used around a pool or under a pergola, its resilient porcelain body resists fading, wear, and weather exposure. Ideal for cohesive landscapes, its cool, neutral tones complement a wide range of architectural and design elements, making it a smart, versatile choice for expansive outdoor hardscaping.

Natural Stone Pavers

Crafted from genuine quarried materials, Natural Stone Pavers infuse outdoor spaces with understated charm and structural longevity. Their unique color variations and textured surfaces deliver an organic appeal that feels both luxurious and grounded. These pavers are naturally slip-resistant and capable of withstanding extreme weather, including freeze–thaw cycles and intense sunlight. They work beautifully in formal courtyards, informal garden paths, and everything in between, bringing nature’s beauty to the environment. Available in finishes like tumbled, honed, or brushed, they cater to diverse style preferences while ensuring outdoor durability.

Tuscany Beige Natural Stone Pavers

Tuscany Beige showcases sunlit luxury, offering a soft palette of tans and creams with gentle movement and a classic tumbled finish. Ideal for walkways, patios, and pool decks, the textured surface of this travertine paver ensures excellent traction even when wet. The pavers are carefully sourced and processed to highlight their natural character while ensuring resilience under heavy foot traffic and fluctuating temperatures, making it a go-to choice for a sleek, long-lasting design.

Artificial Turf:
Lush Lawns All Year Long

Evergrass^® Artificial Turf

Say goodbye to endless lawn care with Evergrass^® Artificial Turf, a lush and long-lasting alternative to natural grass. Engineered for all-weather performance, it’s UV-stable, pet-safe, and child-friendly. Advanced drainage systems allow rainwater to pass through easily, preventing puddles and runoff. With multiple color tones and blade shapes, it mimics real grass beautifully and is ideal for front yards, pool surrounds, and play areas.

Summer Gold Artificial Turf

Summer Gold offers a vibrant mix of sun-kissed green fibers and warm wheat thatch, striking a perfect balance between beauty and resilience. Built for high-traffic areas, its dense 96oz face weight ensures a plush underfoot experience. Whether for backyard play or outdoor entertaining, this premium artificial turf maintains its shape and color under intense sun and heavy use—delivering lasting curb appeal with minimal upkeep.

Design-Driven, Weather-Resistant, Effortless Outdoor Living

MSI’s comprehensive collection of outdoor-rated materials is designed to bring any outdoor vision to life, whether you're crafting a sleek modern retreat or a cozy, rustic escape. From durable surfaces that endure harsh weather conditions to low-maintenance options that simplify upkeep, these selections help create cohesive, stylish, and purposeful outdoor environments that seamlessly extend your living area into the outdoors.

When you are ready to create your own outdoor oasis, visit one of our nationwide MSI showrooms to explore textures, colors, and layout options before making your final selections. Or chat with us online to find out where to buy MSI outdoor tile and other climate-resistant surfaces to bring your exterior design plans to life with confidence, creativity, and lasting performance.