Transform Your Outdoor Space with Porcelain Tiles: The Durable and Stylish Solution You’ve Been Searching For

Porcelain tiles, often referred to as ‘porcelain stone’, have attracted increasing interest in the past decade, which given the durability and aesthetic appeal of porcelain products is no surprise. But what exactly is porcelain stone?

Porcelain stone is in fact not stone at all- but instead a ceramic product manufactured from highly compressed kiln-fired clay at temperatures exceeding 1200 degrees. This creates an incredibly dense paving solution, with notoriously low porosity. What this means for our clients is a surface highly resistant to degradation by chemical contaminates, reducing the likelihood of permanent staining.

Another key attribute of porcelain tiles is the sheer variety of finishes available which can mimic the visual impact of natural stone to a level of quality and consistency which would not be attainable economically through the use of quarried stone. Many porcelain products even feature texturing, further enhancing appeal for those who wish to achieve a more natural appearing stone finish.

The popular perception is clear: ‘Porcelain stone is more expensive than alternatives and to get the desirable high-end finish you must pay a premium.’ This is simply not the case as porcelain tiles are in fact comparable in price to many domestic natural stone products such as slate and even certain varieties of imported Indian sandstone. 

Unlike other paving solutions, porcelain tiles generally do not benefit from or require sealing, standing a testament to their inherent durability and reducing the significance of a key pain point for many of our clients- maintenance. However, much like more traditional paving solutions, porcelain tiles are impervious to rainwater.

For the vast majority of domestic projects this is of little significance as rainwater drainage solutions are straightforward. However, in commercial installations or for those conscious of their environmental impact, a permeable paving solution which reduces the burden on local drainage may be a more appropriate solution. For more information on permeable paving and the tricky subject of drainage, feel free to check out our article on the here. 

Porcelain stone is considered by many paving industry experts to be a ‘specialist’ product, with very specific installation requirements. It is therefore important to select an experienced contractor with the knowledge and ability to install the porcelain stone to industry standards while meeting your requirements.