The porcelain slabs that we supply here at PrimaPorcelain come in a range of standard sizes including, 40cm x 80cm, 60cm x 60cm and 20cm x 120cm. However, when it comes to laying your new porcelain paving in your home or garden, you may need to cut the slabs down to fit in a certain gap or around an existing feature. In this blog, we'll talk you through the equipment you'll need and the method you should use to cut your porcelain slabs up safely. Our full installation resource can be found here. 

To cut porcelain slabs, you will need:

• A circular saw
• Durable cutting blade
• Gloves
• Safety goggles
• Mask

1. Safety precautions

Before you start cutting your porcelain slabs, it's paramount that you take the necessary safety precautions. While cutting your porcelain slabs, you may see flecks of stone and dust in the air. These can be dangerous because they might a) hit you at force and cause an injury or b) enter your lungs and cause irritation. Therefore, you should make sure that you have and use appropriate personal protective equipment (listed above) before cutting your porcelain slabs. 

2. Choosing a circular saw

Here at PrimaPorcelain, we recommend the Rubi TC-180 circular saw which is designed for cutting porcelain. This comes with two different blade options, the dry blade (model number Rubi TCR31975 180mm), or the wet blade (model number Rubi CPC230955 180mm).

3. Choosing the right blades

Porcelain slabs are notoriously hard and dense, which means a regular circular saw might not be capable of slicing through them. Cheap blades will wear down very quickly and are far more likely to chip or shatter your porcelain slabs as you make your cuts. We'd recommend investing in a high-quality diamond blade for your circular saw. This will ensure that the cuts are clean and will reduce the likelihood of broken or damaged tiles.

We often recommend that our clients use a wet blade to cut their porcelain slabs because this method allows the most precise cuts. The water keeps the blade cool while it cuts through the tough material, this means there's less friction which means less chance of a crack or split. 

Cutting the tiles

To cut your porcelain slabs accurately, we'd recommend marking where you need to cut. This ensures that you get a straight and precise finish. Line the circular saw up with your pre-drawn mark and begin to cut down into the tile, applying light pressure.

One of the biggest tips we can give you is to take your time! Porcelain slabs are notoriously hard and brittle and will begin to chip if you cut too deep too quickly. Ideally, you'll be using a wet blade which, as we've previously mentioned, will help to keep the blade cool as well as making for a cleaner cut. 

If you want to cut your porcelain tiles along a curve or radius, you may need to use a hand-held circular saw rather than a fixed one, to allow you to create a contour as you cut. This method is perfect if you have garden features that you need to work around. 

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Hopefully, this guide will help you cut your porcelain tiles in a safe and accurate manner. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about installation - 029 2080 3756.

If you're someone who likes to change your home and garden decor to match the seasons, you're probably already thinking about ways to add a touch of autumn. Well, here at PrimaPorcelain, we believe that any outdoor space can be transformed with a little imagination.

Once you've got your gorgeous, winter-proof porcelain pavers in place, you can focus on accessorising to create a truly autumnal space. Here are some of our suggestions for autumn patio decor that will have your neighbours looking green with envy.

 

1. Weatherproofing

During autumn the weather can be unpredictable. Sometimes, we'll have a really crisp, cold but sunny day, and before you know it it'll be pouring it down with rain. As such, it's important that you think about weatherproofing your patio. This means protecting, replacing or removing anything that could be damaged by the changing weather.

If you've got PrimaPorcelain paving installed, you can rest assured that the patio itself will withstand whatever autumn throws at it. As well as being non-porous, our porcelain paving features a rough texture that will help prevent slips and falls - perfect as we start to see more wet leaves and morning frosts.

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A great way to make sure you and your guests aren't caught out by a sudden downpour is to install an awning, veranda or sunroom. These provide overhead cover and, in some cases, come with optional sides that can provide protection from the wind too. Enclosing your patio area will also give it a cosier feel (just be careful if you plan to add a fire pit, not all structures are suitable to be installed over a fire).

Other things that may need to be weatherproofed include:

• Your garden sofa/chairs (we'd recommend waterproof cushion covers)
• Your outdoor steps (add a handrail for extra security)

 

 

2. Add Autumnal Colours

One of the easiest ways to make your patio look fit for autumn is to add earthy, deep tones and remove bright summer colours. Now we're not suggesting that you paint all your of your outdoor furniture a new colour (unless you want to), but adding autumnal accents of colour like rust, mustard and brown will really set the tone for the months ahead. Why not try:

• Changing your seat covers
• Buying new plant pots 
• Choosing a new throw
• Adding dried flowers or pumpkins

 

 

3. Make it Warm and Cosy

If you want to make the most of your patio on cold autumn nights, it's important that you invest in things to make it feel extra warm and cosy. Adding a fire pit or patio heater will keep you warm so you can spend longer outside.

You can't beat sitting around a fire with a cup of hot chocolate and some marshmallows for toasting! This is one of those autumnal patio decor ideas that's as charming as it is functional.  As well as a fire pit, you might want to invest in some additional throws and blankets that you can take outside on the patio with you for a little extra warmth. 

 

 

4. Add Autumnal Lights

In the summer there isn't much need for fairy lights, tea lights or lanterns. The light nights and warm temperatures mean you can happily sit on your patio until 9 or 10pm, no problem. As we move into September and October, you'll notice the dark nights drawing in all of a sudden, do you'll need to add some lights. 

There are so many different outdoor lighting options for you to choose from, but we personally love the look of tea lights (like those pictured above). They twinkle, they can be moved around your patio to add light wherever you need it!

 

 

5. Make it Child Friendly

One of the great joys of autumn is Halloween. Every year, children and their parents get dressed up and head out trick or treating, so, if your patio is at the front of your house, you might need to so some child-proofing. 

Removing sharp objects, breakables and precious items can help ensure that your patio is kept in good condition throughout autumn. Children with sheets over their heads  (also known as ghosts) could be stumbling around in the dark and easily fall over and hurt themselves. Being conscious of the little ones that might visit your patio this autumn is a great way to avoid accidental injuries. 

 

Hopefully, these autumn patio decor ideas will help you make the most of your garden patio this autumn. If you decide to make your patio look more autumnal, feel free to tag us in your pictures over on Instagram @primaporcelain or email us at info@primaporcelain.co.uk.

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Our outdoor tiles come in a wide variety of different colours, but if you want your outdoor space to be as bright and as beautiful as possible, there's only one way to go. We offer a stunning selection of white outdoor tiles that are sure to bring your garden to life!

Pictured: 20mm Tirolo White Paving

Our white outdoor tiles are:

• Highly durable
• Low maintenance
• Easy to clean
• Weather resistant
• Rectified for a flawless finish

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Case Study: White Outdoor Tiles in South Wales

Our white porcelain pavers were used to create a truly spectacular raised patio on the South Wales coast. Read more here or watch the video below!

If you think our white outdoor tiles would be a perfect fit for your property, call PrimaPorcelain on 029 2080 3756 or order your FREE tile samples to take a closer look! We now offer both large and small samples so that you can get a real feel for your chosen range.

Once you've found the tiles you love, use our paving calculator to work out how much you need. Then place your order directly through our website, it's so simple!

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For centuries, natural materials have been used in interior and exterior designs to create a traditional, rustic feel. Incorporating nature into your living space undoubtedly creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, but the problems start to arise when you learn how much maintenance natural materials require.

Whether it's, real wood flooring or natural stone paving, anything that you bring into your home from the outside world will need care and attention. We're sure, like most people, you live a very hectic, busy life where finding time to water the plants can sometimes be a struggle! So trying to avoid accidental spills and spending hours applying a sealant to your new floor probably doesn't sound very appealing. 

Luckily, there are alternative options that allow you to bring the natural charm of the outdoors into your home without demanding constant care and maintenance. Today we explore some of the ways you can use our natural-looking porcelain tiles to create a beautiful, natural, fuss-free space in your home!

 

All Natural

There's no denying that real wood makes a room look instantly warmer and cosier. Clean, all-white rooms can look really chic (but can also look a bit clinical). Thankfully, there are ways to achieve a real-wood appearance without worrying about potential drawbacks. In normal circumstances, it would be a terrible idea to use wood flooring for a bathroom. Just think about it, it would absorb water, warp out of shape and rot and eventually need completely replacing. 

Here you can see how this homeowner was able to create a cosy, wood-effect bathroom without the potential hazards of real-wood. To create this look, they used our Forest Grey Larch paving, some floating wooden cabinets and some soft grey furnishings to create a minimal, natural space that will last for years to come. 

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Combine Natural & Contemporary

Here you can see how our real-stone effect Quartz Twilight paving has been used to create an ultra-modern kitchen space. The homeowner has added lots of natural touches like the wooden worktops, the organic-shaped glass lampshades and (of course) the flooring. To contrast this, they've gone for bold black patio doors, floor level LED's and a cool grey feature wall. 

This looks like the perfect place to host parties and, luckily, with PrimaPorcelain paving this homeowner won't need to worry about red wine stains or muddy footprints. All that our Quartz Twilight paving needs is a quick wipe over with warm soapy water and any remnants of the night before will lift right off!

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Add a Splash of Colour

Another way that you can use natural-looking materials in your home, is as a neutral base for brighter pops of colour and pattern. You can see how the homeowner above combined our effortlessly elegant Richmond Silver paving with a bold, low-level yellow sofa and an assortment of naturally patterned cushions. The finished outdoor space is lively, vibrant and appealing - the perfect place to entertain guests or enjoy a summers evening at home.

The soft natural grey tones and real-stone texture contrast with the soft, sunshine yellow sofa work together wonderfully, but we're sure you could add whatever splash of colour you prefer. The benefit of choosing our natural-looking Richmond range for this bright outdoor space is that, unlike natural stone, it has a very low and consistent porosity level. This helps prevent the paving from taking on water and becoming cracked & damaged over time. 

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We hope you found our suggestions about how to use natural-looking materials in your home helpful. There are so many benefits to choosing manmade over natural, especially when it comes to care and longevity. Get in touch if you'd like to find out more about our natural-looking paving, then don't hesitate to get in touch 029 2080 3756. 

So, you've got your new design plans sorted and bought all of the materials that you need for your new floor, all that's left is to lay your slabs. Of course, the easiest option to choose is to hire an installer to lay them for you, but if you're running on a tighter budget and want to install them yourself, there may be some questions you're asking yourself. How long does it take? What do you lay patio slabs on? Well, here's what you're going to need to do! 

First things first, you're going to want to make sure that you have all the tools and materials sorted. Here's a list to double-check you have everything in place.

Tools Needed to Lay Patio Tiles

• Trowel 
• Rake
• Wheelbarrow 
• Rubber mallet
• Shovel 
• Tape measure 
• String line and pegs (optional)
• Cement mixer (optional) 

 

Materials 

• Paving slabs 
• Sand (sharp) 
• Cement 
• Sub-base aggregate 

 

Step-by-Step Guide to Laying Patio Tiles  

 

Prepping the area

Before you can even think about laying your new paving slabs, you will first need to prepare your patio area. Here, you will need to dig a depth of around 150mm across the whole area where your patio will be, ensuring the soil is evenly compacted. Once this has been done, you can begin to tip the sub-base in, raking it into a consistent depth of 100mm. You need to make sure that it is smooth, flat and firm. 

Getting the concrete ready 

Next, you'll need to create a concrete mix of three parts sand and one part cement, adding water to create a dough-like consistency. To do this, you can either use a cement mixer or a target bucket. Once done, to check that the mix is thick enough, pick some up and mould into a ball. When you let go, it should keep its shape without water oozing out of it or falling apart. Ensure you have mixed enough concrete to make an even 40mm layer in the patio bed. 

Laying the patio slabs

Before you can begin to lay your slabs, it's important to dampen them so they don't dry out your concrete too quickly. Once this is done, you can lay your first slab. Slowly lower your slab in position into the concrete mix and gently tap it with a rubber mallet in order to fix it into place. In ideal terms, you'll want your slabs to sit around 15mm into the mortar. Repeat this process with the remaining slabs, leaving a 10-15mm gap between each one until your patio bed is covered. After all of your slabs are laid, spray the entire areas with water until it's completely saturated and leave it to set for a minimum of 24 hours. 

Finishing touches 

The last part of laying your slabs involves applying the finishing touches. Here, use a trowel to fill the gaps between your slabs with a suitable grout, ensuring that no residue is left on the patio's surface. Clean away any other mess that may be laying on top of your slabs and leave to set.

 

Dry-Installing Your Paving Slabs 

The above method is what is traditionally used by the majority of patio installers. However, thanks to PrimaPorcelain's revolutionary pedestal support system, you are able to make the installation process even easier, with no mess whatsoever - laying patio tiles has never been easier! Eliminate the need for traditional adhesives and mortar such as cement and lay your slabs onto our state-of-the-art pedestals.

Here, your slabs can be laid immediately, with absolutely no drying-out time needed! You can even run any necessary cables and wires underneath if you have any special features in your garden - perfect! One of the great things about our pedestal supports is that if you ever feel like moving your slabs, all you need to do is simply lift them up and relocate without having to dig them up. You can find out more about our pedestal support system below. 

Pedestal Support System >

 

For more information on how to lay patio tiles or what you should lay your patio slabs on, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of the PrimaPorcelain team today by calling 02920 803756 or emailing us at info@primaporcelain.co.uk.