The benefits of using outdoor porcelain tile paving

Unrivalled Durability

Porcelain tiles offer unrivalled durability. They are made from a mix of refined clays and are fired at extremely high temperatures – it is the mix of material and heat that creates a product that is incredibly dense and hardwearing and a surface that really can withstand the heaviest of foot fall. Many outdoor tiles are extra thick – usually around 20mm – and this means they can easily handle the natural elements all year round.  

Unrivalled Design

Outdoor porcelain tile paving is specifically designed to mimic other materials. Leading manufacturers are producing tiles that look like stone, marble, wood, concrete, cement and more. The latest good quality tiles echo other materials to the highest of standards, in some instances so well, it can be hard to tell the difference from the real material. This means that not only do you have all the unrivalled durability of porcelain you also have all that gorgeous design – so take your pick! Whether you are looking to create a minimalist design or country cottage courtyard, you will find porcelain tiles to achieve the look and feel you want.

Weather Resistance

The British weather is unpredictable to say the least. Porcelain tiles are both fade resistant and frost resistant so come freezing temperatures or shine, they can be relied on. Porcelain is an incredibly stable material making it ideal for outside spaces ie it is not only fade and frost resistant, it is also highly scratch and stain resistant.

Like anything, correct installation is key so we definitely recommend getting the professionals in to ensure your tiles are on a solid based. This will bring longevity to your installation and also ensure the tiled area finish is beautifully flush.

Slip Resistance

Porcelain tiles come in a range of finishes. Matt and polished finishes are pretty typical of tile finishes for indoor areas. For outside spaces, tiles are usually textured with an antislip surface. This is important for surfaces that can get wet with rain, or early morning dew. Tiles need to be laid with a fall to ensure water doesn’t sit on the top of the tiles too so it is important to check this out with your installer. It is also key to keep your tiles clean and clear of any dirt build up on the surface to ensure they perform at their best.

Low Maintenance

Unlike more traditional natural stones, porcelain tiles are non-porous which means they are highly stain resistant. They also do not need any initial or regular sealing either. In addition, the surface of porcelain tiles naturally inhibit the growth of mould and moss on the surface as they are less likely to stick to the tiles. So from a maintenance perspective a simple brush or sweep and an occasional wash with water is usually enough to keep them clean. You can, of course, opt for a cleaning agent specifically designed for porcelain once in a while if you want to give them a really good clean.

Linking inside and outside spaces

One key benefit of porcelain is there are tile collections with co-ordinating tiles for inside and outside spaces. So not only can you use your porcelain pavers outside on the patio, you will find the same look tile in a matt or natural finish for inside spaces. This allows you to bring continuity to your home linking lounge with lawn in style. With the trend for bi-fold and sliding doors only likely to continue to grow flooring is one of the key ways to bring cohesion across home and garden.