McDonald Landscapes

Have you considered: Is porcelain paving a good idea? McDonald Landscapes offer hard landscaping services in Ayrshire and south-west Scotland. We look at The benefits of porcelain paving and why you might choose this type of paving.  

BEFORE LAYING PORCELAIN PAVING

Before rushing out to buy your porcelain paving, there are a few things to consider first. Naturally, porcelain is wonderful and easy to care for, ideal for garden patios and paths, but there are some things to bear in mind when choosing the right porcelain patio for your home.

WHAT PAVING IS BEST FOR PATIOS?

How easy is it to look after

Again, porcelain is one of the easiest paving materials to care for, but that doesn't mean you can ignore it. All flooring and paving materials require at least some aftercare once you've had them installed. 

However, porcelain maintenance can be as intensive or relaxed as you want it to be, depending on how you want your patio to look.

But just as you'll run the hoover around and clean the interior floor spaces in your home, you can think of your patio as an extension of chores like this. 

Naturally, if you want the glamorous hotel lobby look, then you might find yourself sweeping debris from your porcelain tiles every morning. Alternatively, you might leave it to become weathered for a more natural aesthetic.

The benefits of porcelain paving for your garden

Many homeowners are choosing to install porcelain paving in their gardens and patios as a fantastic alternative paving material. 

However, while porcelain paving is gaining in popularity, you may wonder whether it's the right choice for your property. Here we'll take you through the various benefits of non-porous porcelain paving for your garden to help you decide if it's the right material for you compared to other materials like natural stone.

 Not slippy

Given its smooth appearance and low porosity, many will think that porcelain becomes very slippery when wet. However, this isn't the case, and specifically designed porcelain paving is one of the most slip-resistant materials for your patio or paths. Porcelain tiles receive a slip-skid rating during manufacturing, which is noted as an "R" value.

These values range from R9 to R13, with R9 porcelain tiles only being suitable for dry locations and R13 being ideal for locations with a lot of rainfall or moisture, such as garden patios or swimming pools. Having your porcelain tiles installed by expert porcelain pavers is the best way to guarantee your and your family's safety when walking on a wet patio or path.

 Long-Lasting

The manufacturing process for porcelain paving slabs ensures they are robust and long-lasting. Applying pressure to refined clay and natural materials before being kiln fired at high temperatures creates durable porcelain paving slabs ideal for garden paths, patios and other locations that see a lot of footfall. This process is known as "vitrification", providing hard-wearing porcelain, a key pro of porcelain paving.

Laying porcelain paving in your garden ensures you have a usable space in all weather conditions. The porcelain does not absorb water and won't be affected in harsh rain or freezing weather. This makes porcelain a very low-maintenance material, as it will not crack or become damaged through regular use, making it the ideal option for a long-lasting patio. 

 Easy to clean

While those of us with green thumbs enjoy spending time maintaining our gardens, this isn't the case for everyone. Some homeowners want to have a nice outdoor space to relax in, but one that doesn't require constant attention. Porcelain's low-maintenance nature is perfect in this situation, as it is one of the easiest paving materials to keep clean as it is mildew resistant.

Since they are also water-resistant, porcelain tiles are naturally stain-resistant, frost-proof, and algae-resistant. The only cleaning porcelain paving products require is a quick wash with warm soapy water or a pressure washer. Naturally, you'll also want to keep the tiles or slabs free of fallen leaves, grass cuttings, compost and other debris to ensure longevity.

 Great value for money

It's true that premium porcelain paving slabs have a high initial outlay. They are high-quality products requiring expensive materials and processes to create, naturally pushing up prices. However, most porcelain pavers and supply companies have a range of products to suit your budget. You should also consider the long-lasting nature of porcelain.

Once you have made the initial purchase, your porcelain paving will last for years to come. This means you could save much more on repairs and maintenance than cheaper paving materials. Homeowners shouldn't be dissuaded from buying porcelain tiles and paving slabs, as they are very cost-effective and offer great value for money regarding durability. Those looking for stylish but low-maintenance paving can find the ideal solution in porcelain.

 Suits modern garden designs

Design trends and aesthetics constantly change, especially when it comes to home decoration. Luckily for homeowners, the manufacturing process for porcelain provides a wealth of opportunities regarding finishes, fade-resistant colours and final layers. You can find almost any finish or style of porcelain patio to suit your home and particular style, with a truly versatile range of products to choose from.

From single colours to elegant designs and patterns, porcelain paving is a fantastic option for modern garden designs. Contemporary designers tend to opt for clean lines and fewer joints when it comes to modern garden patios, which is an effect you could easily achieve with porcelain tiles or slabs. 

Cons of porcelain paving

If you opt for lighter-coloured porcelain, chances are you will notice it getting dirtier a lot quicker than darker hues. This is especially true if you have trees and berry-producing bushes in your garden, as the tannins from leaves and juice from berries can easily stain light porcelain. Therefore, if you think your porcelain paving will see a lot of leaves and staining, opting for darker grey shades would be the best way to go.

Naturally, if you're going to be cleaning your patio or paths every day, you can choose whatever shade of porcelain tiles you want. Loose tiles are another potential problem to watch out for, along with tiles lifting out from where they've been installed. 

This is most likely due to the porcelain tiles not being laid in poorly prepared mortar or slurry prepared with the wrong primer. It would be best if you also were careful that none of this primer finds its way onto the surface of your porcelain, as it can be incredibly difficult to fix. However, so long as you rely on the expertise of professional porcelain pavers, you shouldn't have to worry about these problems.

Additionally, you should conduct thorough research on your chosen installers and perhaps seek advice from your paving supplier on the best ways to install your porcelain paving tiles. The latter of these two is perhaps the most important, as by laying your tiles incorrectly on mortar not properly compacted to the adequate depth, you run the risk of voiding your tile supplier's guarantee.