10 Essential Things to Know Before Laying Porcelain Paving

You’ve heard the buzz, but what are the actual truths and issues surrounding porcelain paving? Lee Bestall shares his insights after testing it in his own home.

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1. Choosing Your Paving

Besides porcelain, there are various surfacing options such as sandstone, granite, marble, limestone, concrete paving, decking, setts, and gravel. Each type offers different levels of durability and maintenance requirements. But does porcelain provide a solution for hassle-free paving?

Many individuals have expressed their experiences with York and Indian/imported sandstone, which can lose color quickly, absorb moisture, and turn green, making them slippery. However, before you dismiss them, consider reading this article on which paving is best for me?

2. Having Decided on Porcelain – What Are the Truths and Issues?

I have been using a light ivory porcelain patio for approximately four years, extending from my home. Last year, I added an area with dark grey tiles in another part of the garden, so here’s what I’ve learned about both.

Porcelain is certainly an excellent design choice, but its modern and sleek aesthetic may not suit every home. If you’re looking for that "vacation vibe," porcelain can be ideal. It complements small modern courtyards, large terraces, swimming areas, and rooftop gardens, especially when using specially designed adjustable plastic risers.

How Simple Is It to Maintain?

Just like any internal or external surface, maintenance is essential. I refer to this as "outdoor housework" to set the expectation. You wouldn’t leave your car unwashed in the driveway for too long, just like you wouldn’t let your indoor floors remain dirty for a week. External floors require similar attentiveness. To achieve a ‘chic hotel look,’ you should sweep daily to eliminate leaves, dust, blossoms, and other debris.

In terms of surface cleanliness, porcelain tiles tend to remain clean longer than other surfaces. Unlike sandstone, they absorb less moisture and don’t turn green quickly. In fact, I only power wash my porcelain twice a year: once in March following winter and again in autumn after the leaves fall. During lockdown, I admit to power washing every three months due to increased garden usage.

3. Issues Related to Porcelain Paving

My lighter-colored tiles do attract dirt more frequently. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend light cream tiles for the UK because they tend to get stained by tannins, berries, and flower petals. Even after cleaning, they may appear dirty within a week during windy or wet weather. I highly suggest opting for mid or dark grey tiles, as they require significantly less maintenance.

Some of the issues I’ve read about include tiles lifting or becoming loose, typically due to improper installation. Always ensure they are laid on a full bed of mortar and/or slurry primed using a professional-grade primer like UltraScape ProPrime Slurry. This method promotes excellent adherence to the mortar bed. It’s crucial to research experienced installers and seek advice from your tile supplier, as improper installation might void any warranties.

If installed correctly, porcelain tiles shouldn’t crack. My tiles have endured temperatures as low as -6°C and have been under snow and ice for extended periods with no sign of movement.

I used ‘Jasmine’ Mappi exterior tile grout for my cream tiles, while for my dark grey paving, I chose Flowpoint Fine: Rapid Set Flowable Grout.

4. Is My Porcelain Paving Slippery When Wet?

In my experience, I’ve never found them to be slippery. I walk on my tiles daily through severe frost, ice, snow, and rain and have never felt unsafe. I wonder, though, if there's a psychological aspect to this; perhaps I’m more cautious because I expected them to be slippery. Remember, if there’s ice on any type of paving, it will be slippery!

NANOGRESS PORCELLANATO offers various products and information, so do check it out.

The manufacturer’s brochure should provide details about the slip rating—higher ratings indicate a lower chance of slipping. Ensure the porcelain is rated at least R11 for outdoor use and stick to 20mm thickness (10mm indoor tiles are great for the 'inside-outside' aesthetic but are not suitable for external flooring).

5. Should I Opt for a Smooth or Textured Surface?

If you prefer cleanliness, it’s best to avoid textured surfaces. Dust and grime tend to get lodged in the crevices, making tiles appear dirty quickly. The grey tiles I selected have a smooth finish, and I find a traditional mop and bucket method works well for cleaning since it’s quieter and less hassle than power washing. I’ve started mopping the grey tiles weekly due to increased usage, aiming for that pristine look.

6. What Grout Color Should I Choose?

Your choices are straightforward: select grout that matches your tiles, such as dark grey or black for darker tiles, or go lighter for contrast. Personally, I lean towards dark grey for grey or black tiles and either cream or grey for lighter tiles—cream can make the patio appear larger. Although cream grout does get dirty, it cleans up nicely. Given a choice, I’d always choose dark paving with dark external grout (but slightly lighter or darker than the paving). I prefer Flowpoint Fine for this purpose and recently applied it at home.

7. What Laying Pattern Should I Choose?

Selecting 600mm x 600mm tiles is often the most cost-effective choice, as they tend to be cheaper than larger formats due to quicker drying times during manufacturing. I recommend a half bond pattern—it’s more forgiving if tiles aren’t uniformly sized, which is common with budget options.

If your budget permits, consider larger format tiles or planks laid in a half bond or even herringbone pattern. However, be cautious; herringbone is much trickier to install and results in greater waste, thus raising environmental concerns.

Typically, 4mm spacers are used between tiles outdoors, but ensure to use the same spacers indoors if you want continuity between internal and external spaces.

8. Should I Seal the Tiles?

Applying a sealant will significantly simplify the cleaning process. However, don’t be misled into thinking sealed tiles won’t gather dirt at all; they will still require maintenance. If you decide to seal them yourself, anticipate an additional cost of around one pound per square meter using a product like Tile Protector.

9. Is It Safe to Clean My Tiles with Household Bleach?

I’ve used a mild diluted bleach solution on my lighter tiles before (considering they would be bleached in a bathroom), and while I do suggest using a dedicated cleaner for regular maintenance, there are also products available for deeper cleanings when necessary.

10. Can I Use Ceramic Tiles Outdoors?

I don’t recommend it, especially in the UK. Stick with 20mm thick porcelain tiles. If you seek decorative options, explore the expanding selection of patterned porcelain tiles.

In conclusion, that’s my perspective on the truths and issues surrounding porcelain paving based on my personal experience!

All products mentioned in this article are those I have independently tested without receiving any discounts or free items. These are genuine recommendations drawn from my personal use. Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Last Updated: July

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