Porcelain Paving is one of those versatile materials which you can do so much with and with so many options available, choosing what to do with your outdoor area can become a simple task. Choosing the easy installation method associated with porcelain paving can help you to transform your outdoor living area into one which is incredibly impressive very quickly. Porcelain paving is a classy yet low maintenance option for you to have and it can offer a functional and aesthetic appeal for all to enjoy – at a reasonable price.
Porcelain paving is formed by baking a mixture of clay, sand, and other minerals in a high-temperature kiln. Due to the extreme density in the material, porcelain is exceptionally strong. During the manufacturing process, there is a slight texture added to ensure that the surfaces are slip resistant when walked upon as an added safety measure. The slip resistant surface of porcelain paving means that it is bare foot friendly, so the likes of small children and pets can walk on it with no possibility of harming themselves.
What Are the Uses of Porcelain Paving?
Porcelain paving in the past has been commonly associated with being used inside homes for rooms like kitchens and bathrooms and overlooked with being used for outdoor purposes. With the use of porcelain paving, you can transform an underwhelming patio, balcony or garden space into something truly unique, which can reflect your own personal design style. If you are planning on creating your own outdoor area, maybe for entertainment, relaxing or dining then porcelain paving is the best option to go with. What makes it so popular is its similarities to real stone, which is extremely trendy for outdoor landscaping. Porcelain tiles are extremely scratch resistant making it the more popular choice, leaving this common problem out of mind.
What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Paving?
The best feature about porcelain paving is that it requires very little maintenance, meaning that it keeps its stunning finish for an extremely long period of time, and you have no need to buy various industrial strength cleaning products or an expensive power washer. All that is needed to keep it looking its best is an occasional wash with warm water and soap, 2 or 3 times a year. During the winter, a big concern for homeowners is that hard frost may damage and crack tiles, but this is one thing that we can give you peace of mind in not happening because they are non-porous. Porcelain paving is extremely less likely to stain in any way or lose its aesthetic appeal over time from the outdoor elements we commonly experience. The tiles are also heavily resistant to sunlight and will not fade over time, allowing them to last for many many years, which make them an intelligent investment for the future.
One rather large factor that you might not even be thinking about when laying your porcelain paving is that, in the distant future you may be looking to sell your home, it can add significant value to your property. Buyers will recognise that porcelain is a high-quality product and if you were to include such a product as part of a beautifully designed garden, this will take on great attraction and therefore be sure to add significant value to the price of your home.
Porcelain Paving comes in a various range of stunning range colours and styles which allow homeowners to make a real statement to your outdoor living area. With an extensive range of finishes that we can offer at OVAEDA, from ‘Concrete’ to ‘Stone Effect’ to ‘Woodgrain Effect’, our porcelain paving slabs can fit into any style you desire.
What Are the Disadvantages of Porcelain Paving?
The advantages of porcelain paving greatly outweigh the disadvantages, but the main being that the initial expenditure will cost more. When you compare the lifetime of the product, along with the maintenance costs and other key functions you will see that the longer-term benefits are lower and you can secure the many benefits of purchasing porcelain paving.
Porcelain Paving tiles can be difficult to cut, for instance of you have an uneven wall and need a detailed cut made, you will need specialist equipment to do this. You will then need to think about hiring an installer who has previously worked with porcelain as they will have these tools ready at their disposal to work with. Some installers may also be slightly reluctant to work with the product for this reason and it may be difficult to find somebody.
What Are the Various Ways to Lay Porcelain Paving?
There are typically 3 ways in which you can lay porcelain paving tiles. The first and most commonly used by general installers is with a cement mix. Although this may seem like the cheapest option available, there are a few difficulties which can arise from doing it this way. You may have to do a lot of hard landscaping before even preparing the area and an installer can only work with a cement mix when the weather is consistently warm, you cannot work with cement in the rain. The drainage when using mortar can be very poor, so when rail will eventually fall on your slabs, there are not many places for it to go.
Typically, balcony projects will require a slight build up to allow the porcelain to run flush with a door for homeowners to walk straight out onto. Using paving support pedestals will allow for a quick and effective way to lay your tiles. This method is also a way to keep your costs low as you should not require a tradesman to do the job for you, although you may require one for the heavy lifting of the tiles. Support pedestals are self-levelling and shock proof, allowing for excellent drainage as the pedestal heads are adjustable and assure any moisture will runoff. This is far more useful than cement as you can lay the pedestals at any time, without thinking about the forecast.
Many people are unaware of using an aluminium subframe to install the paving. This system provides a completely rigid platform for paving slabs. The super-strong aluminium joists overlap to create a lattice framework which gives the maximum possible level of support. This high-quality system can provide many design possibilities, allowing more creative paving finishes – the only limit is your imagination. The system is perfect for terraces, podiums, roof decks, balconies and of course gardens and allows for rapid drainage.
What Now?
Now that you have read all that you need to know about porcelain paving, you may begin thinking about using it as an option for your garden or balcony. With so many options available, we know it can seem like a big decision to make. Why not begin by ordering one of our free sample boxes to help you choose which style will best suit you?
You can also call us on 0208 159 2999 or send us an email to sales@ovaeda.com to get quotes, guidance and any technical support with your plans. If you think you will require the help of a professional installer, we are happy to recommend one to assist.