We all dream of having a stunning outdoor space to relax and enjoy. Though porcelain isn’t a new product to the garden paving market, its popularity has increased over recent years. Many people are opting for porcelain as it provides a great transition between their indoor and outdoor living spaces. By choosing complementary tiles, you gain an extension, without actually building an extension. If you’re looking to enhance your home and update your landscaping, then a porcelain patio could be just what you need. Our clients always have lots of questions about outdoor tiles and hopefully this blog ‘6 Reasons to Choose Porcelain Paving for Your Garden,’ will answer those for you. Read on to find out more.
Why should I choose porcelain paving for my garden?
1️⃣ Exterior porcelain tiles are very durable
2️⃣ Versatile – suited to modern and traditional surroundings
3️⃣ Excellent slip resistance
4️⃣ They have a non-porous surface so don’t absorb water like other materials
5️⃣ Low maintenance – quick and easy to clean
6️⃣ Resistant to staining – great if you like a good BBQ party
Are Porcelain Pavers Durable?
Unlike more traditional paving materials used in landscaping, porcelain offers durability like no other! Manufactured from clay, sand, and other minerals, porcelain tiles are fired at an extremely high temperature to create a strong but stylish finish. Highly resistant to moisture, frost, scratches, and fading, exterior porcelain is the perfect choice for our ever-changing weather in the UK. A correctly installed porcelain patio will withstand the test of time and look great in your garden for many years.
Will Outdoor Porcelain Suit My Garden?
Porcelain paving will look great in any garden. The design options are endless! Being a man-made product, it’s available in a wide range of colours, sizes, textures and patterns. Porcelain can be customised to suit your garden design plans. Whether you want to achieve a more contemporary, minimalist look or a traditional or rustic look, there’s a tile to suit. One colour, stone effect, wood effect, patterned, there’s something for everyone. Style it up with a contrasting border tile. Create stepping stones across your lawn. Cut to shape for a circular seating area. Whatever your landscaping design requirements are, choosing porcelain paving for your garden is a fantastic choice.
Is Porcelain Paving Slippery?
This is a question that we’re always asked, and the answer is no. Good quality outdoor porcelain will have an anti-slip rating of at least R11. (The R stands for Ramp Test) Paving, or tiles, with this slip rating, is designed for use in areas which are likely to have more exposure to water: outdoors, bathrooms, kitchens, etc. It’s important to use caution as the weather, spillages, or type of footwear can all affect this. If it’s bleak mid-winter and we have ice or snow on the ground, then, yes it’s likely to be slippery! But, so will any other surface. The difference with porcelain is that you can safely use salt to de-ice the area without damaging the surface. Natural stone may be damaged by doing this.
How Do I Keep My Porcelain Paving Clean?
Nothing in your garden is completely maintenance free, it’s outside after all. A porcelain patio, however, is relatively easy to keep clean. The tiles are non-porous so repel dirt and stains. A regular sweep and an occasional wash with some mild soap and water is all you should need to keep your garden paving gleaming. A jet wash can be used for more stubborn dirt but caution, and the lowest setting are advised to prevent damage to the surface of the tiles or the grout. If you have trees or plants that are prone to dropping leaves or debris, we highly recommend investing in a leaf blower to make light work of the job. We have this one but there are other options available depending on your budget. It saves so much time! Blow everything into one corner and then scoop it up. Easy!
Do I Need to Seal Exterior Porcelain Tiles?
No! You needn’t worry about sealing porcelain pavers. Red wine spillages, greasy food dropped from the BBQ, or fungus growth from your plants are no match for exterior porcelain. A quick wipe and you’ll never know! Other types of paving such as natural stone and concrete pavers are porous and you may choose to apply a paving sealer to stop staining from spillages or debris. Porcelain, on the other hand, is non-porous so it repels those pesky stains and stands up to the British weather. You’ll also save a few quid from not buying a sealer. 😉
Professional Porcelain Paving Installation in Bradford and Halifax
Kettlewell Groundworks are the Yorkshire Prestige Paving Contractor of the Year for 2023/2024. An award we’re very proud of! Based on the border of Bradford and Halifax, we’re a family business, with family values. Sourcing only the best materials from local suppliers, we’ll take care of your garden like it was our own and help you choose the right porcelain paving to suit you.
If you’d like to know more about our professional paving services, you can contact us here, or if you’re ready to book an appointment for a quote, you can do so here. We look forward to hearing from you. 😊
