When it comes to adding porcelain paving to your outside space, it’s easy to get preoccupied with the colour and design of the tiles without fully considering the base or what goes underneath. 

Overlooking what lies beneath can be a big mistake and do your beautiful new pavers a grave disservice.

After all, you wouldn’t buy a car purely based on the chassis without checking the quality of the engine underneath and the same principle applies to outdoor porcelain paving.

A good base is a must for any outdoor tiling job but knowing which one to choose can be a tricky choice.

Luckily, this blog aims to provide you with the knowledge to make the best decision for you, your property and your pavers so you can stop asking, "what do you lay patio slabs on?" and start choosing the best base for your project.

Concrete Base

Unlike indoor tiles, there are a variety of modern options when it comes to the foundation of your paving design; however, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the industry standard – the tried and tested concrete base.

Strong, durable and secure, concrete has been the go-to solution for patio bases for many years, quite literally providing a solid foundation for the pavers to rest on.

A concrete base can be time-consuming and often requires a lot of prep work. From mixing and spreading to levelling and laying to grouting and cleaning, this route is a million miles from simply paying and laying. 

In fact, creating a level surface that’s uniform from left to right can be frustratingly difficult and takes a real knack to get right. What’s more, the necessary inclusion of adhesives – such as mortar, grout and cement – make this a messy process.

Perhaps worst of all, these firm drying substances don’t lend themselves well to mistakes either. One off-tile can be hard to undo once the paving is laid and can taint your paving finish instantly. 

Luckily, there are two great alternatives that are far more forgiving and far less arduous to undertake. So, if you don't choose concrete, what do you lay your patio slabs on?

Pedestal System

A revolutionary alternative to the traditional concrete base, pedestal supports from PrimaPorcelain provide a simple yet smart installation solution through innovative dry installation.

A favoured option amongst DIY enthusiasts, this adhesive-free option allows you to achieve a level surface without arduously flattening the surface plane.

In fact, no paving skills are required at all, with no mortar, adhesive or grout in sight. This translates to a clean installation with minimal mess.

Meanwhile, the total lack of adhesive also means there’s no necessary drying or setting time required, allowing you to use your new surface from the moment the final slab is laid on the patio base.

Better still, the elevated structure promotes thermal and acoustic insulation, while the gap between the slabs and the ground also allows for placement of cables and piping. These can be accessed easily should any maintenance work need doing. The porcelain tiles can simply be lifted off the pedestal base and replaced when finished. 

Easy-Frame System

Much like the pedestal method, the Easy-Frame provides a fantastic means of laying porcelain paving in your outdoor space without the mess, hassle and labour of conventional means. We think this is one of the most innovative porcelain tile bases on the market.

Constructed from galvanised steel, this porcelain paving substructure system essentially provides your pavers with a stage to rest on for a solid, stable base.

The structure itself is assembled off-site to fit the exact dimensions of your outdoor space. From there, the frames are simply transported to your property in sections and locked together on-site. This means you can lay your patio slabs on the base with minimal fuss and effort.

Coated in zinc for heat, frost and moisture resistance, the frame also boasts the highest weight-to-strength ratio on the market, providing unrivalled reliability.

Mirroring its pedestal counterpart, the Easy-Frame also offers an adhesive-free route to patio paving bases, allowing easy access to the substrate, minimal mess and zero drying time.

Best of all, the framework model allows the Easy-Frame to simply be placed directly over existing areas without disturbing utilities, such as drains, pipework of cables. This means you can install this patio base pretty much anywhere in your garden, making it ideal for all outdoor spaces.

Read More: How to Lay Slabs

For more information on any of our outdoor porcelain tiles or the various installation methods available, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 029 2080 3756 or get in touch online by clicking the button below.

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Did you know, we now offer large and small porcelain tile samples? Once you've picked your favourite porcelain paving from our ranges, use our paving calculator to work out how much you need & order directly through the website. We can't wait to help you transform your home/garden.

Although the style and colour of a flooring product may be enough to sway you when shopping around, it's always good to know that you're getting true value for money from your investment. This goes beyond the simple factor of appearance, which, while important, is far from being the only concern of a customer on the hunt for the best-valued product. 

This is where our porcelain tiles really come into their own, as they have the benefit of coming in an array of eye-catching styles and colours, as well as meeting the expectations our customers have regarding safety, quality and durability. To illustrate our point, here are just some of their many benefits:

Versatile in Appearance and Function

Strength and Beauty

Our porcelain tiles are available in 10mm or 20mm thicknesses which allows them to be incredibly rugged and hardy. They will last longer than a normal ceramic tile because they've been baked at an incredibly high temperature. This vitrifying process makes them solid and extremely dense, and as such, far more hard-wearing and less likely to crack or chip.

Our tiles' solidity and resistance to abrasion have been tested to rigorous standards and they passed with flying colours. This means that when unavoidable marks or scuffs are made on the surface, which is inevitable with animals, children or even just the presence of furniture, they can be easily cleaned. A quick brush away and there will be no damage left on the surface of the tile at all. A great benefit of porcelain tiles in a busy household.

Weather Resistant

Sadly, as much as we would like a more Mediterranean climate, we suffer from time to time with slightly chillier weather. The frost on many winter mornings can look delightful but can play havoc with traditional outdoor tiles. The trouble occurs when absorbed moisture freezes as the temperature plummets. Water expands when it freezes and this can cause pressure inside the tile that causes cracks and frost damage. PrimaPorcelain tiles benefit from minimal porosity so they hardly absorb moisture at all.

Our porcelain tiles are, therefore, highly frost resistant and that means that even in the coldest of winters, our tiles will stay pristine. Another useful benefit of porcelain tiles is their ability to withstand stains. As the moisture is repelled by the tiles, the stain is unable to penetrate and can be easily wiped away.

Why PrimaPorcelain?

PrimaPorcelain manufacture both indoor and outdoor tiles. Imagine expanding your family living space into the garden and using it as if it were an additional room. Our indoor and outdoor tiles perfectly complement each other, ensuring a beautiful and seamless transition from one space to another. 

Additionally, we are as concerned about the planet as we are about bringing beauty to your home and garden. The sourcing and manufacture of our products aim to be as ethical and sustainable as possible, and our tiles and paving slabs are subject to rigorous environmental standards. What could be better than fitting a long-lasting and stunning feature to your home when it is eco-friendly as well.

If you are considering improving the look and feel of your home and garden, contact us at PrimaPorcelain. We can’t wait to show you our wide range of exquisite products.

For anyone looking to brighten up their outdoor space with a patio area, the choice of tiles to choose from can make the endeavour quite the creative conundrum.

Do you go with natural stone or concrete? Ceramic or Saltillo? Mosaic or brick? With so many options to choose from, it’s enough to cause headaches before you’ve even laid the first slab.

Luckily, there’s one material that boasts the unique benefits or each with none of the drawbacks. Porcelain paving offers everything a patio could need, making the choice an absolute breeze.

Pictured: Bolzano Grey

Why choose porcelain paving?

Porcelain isn’t just good for patio paving, it’s pretty much the perfect material, providing everything you could want from an outdoor tile. Durable, low-maintenance and aesthetically stunning, porcelain paving ticks all the boxes.

As a patio paving material, porcelain offers a variety of suitable perks, from its stain resistance to its textured grip. However, most notably and perhaps most importantly is its resistance to a number of weather conditions.

In addition to being fade and frost resistant, they are also non-porous and extremely water-resistant with an absorption rate of 0.05%. The low porosity makes them virtually impermeable, giving them added traction in wet conditions and protecting any users from potential slip hazards.

The water-resistance also makes them the ideal surface for those that are looking to accessorise their patio with watery activities, such as a hot tub or a pool. While the wipe clean stain-proofing makes them just as suitable for outdoor socials, such as barbeques or drinks with friends.

Why choose PrimaPorcelain?

At PrimaPorcelain, we have one of the largest collections of porcelain tile designs in the UK. From the dark and stormy mystique of Quartz Black to the woody allure of Forest Oak, our catalogue of porcelain paving patterns is virtually unrivalled.

All of our outdoor porcelain paving slabs are made with a thickness of 20mm for enhanced strength and sturdiness. What’s more, all our tiles are vitrified, making sealing and glazing a thing of the past.

Better still, all of our porcelain tiles are mixed with a dye before being placed in the kiln, providing a consistent colouration throughout the entire slab. This means that, in the unlikely event of a chip or scratch, the damage will be unnoticeable, unlike a traditional ceramic tile.

Our tiles can even be dry-installed without the need for any adhesive or mortar. Using our unique pedestal system, the task of laying patio tiles is considerably easier than traditional methods, making it a realistic DIY job if you are confident in your own skills.

Better still, the lack of adhesive means there is no settling time, allowing you to walk on your new patio from the moment the final paving tile is laid.

Did you know we now offer large and small samples, allowing you to really get a feel for our ranges before making a decision? Once you've chosen your dream paving, you can place your order directly through our website. 

Order FREE Porcelain Tile Samples

Click here to explore our wide range of porcelain tiles and paving slabs >

With so many options on the market in terms of garden design and outdoor aesthetics, knowing which road is right for you can take time and consideration.

That being said, here at PrimaPorcelain, we’re unsurprisingly biased with a strong partisan slant in the direction of porcelain power – and with good reason.

Porcelain paving possesses a wide variety of benefits that puts it head and shoulders above the rest. For proof, look no further than this very blog!

Benefits of Porcelain Pavers

If you’re considering anything other porcelain for your exterior design, take a look at these top five reasons to choose porcelain pavers for your outdoor space.

Unrivalled Durability

The primary headline when it comes to porcelain paving selling points is and will likely always be its superior durability.

Porcelain is incredibly hard-wearing, specifically designed to withstand a myriad of elemental demands.

From sun and snow to wind and rain, porcelain pavers won’t falter under the demands of Mother Nature. They won’t fade nor will they bear the scars of wear and tear.

They are also extremely stain and scratch-resistant, making them the perfect surface for outdoor socialising and alfresco dining.

Low-Maintenance

A brilliant by-product of their innate durability is that our porcelain tiles are extremely low-maintenance, requiring very little upkeep to retain their looks – unlike natural stone.

Specifically engineered to quite literally weather the storm, porcelain paving is fundamentally designed to keep their aesthetic beauty year-round.

That being said, in the event that you did want to give them spruce, our tiles are inherently easy to clean.

To revive your pavers’ “just laid” shine, all you need to do is give them a quick once over with a mop and warm, soapy water.

Safety First

With an extremely low porosity of just 0.05%, porcelain paving tiles are virtually impermeable. Not only does this make them last aesthetically, it also makes them extremely slip-resistant.

This enhanced grip provides greater traction underfoot, while the minimal absorption also allows each paver to dry out very quickly, further reducing the risk of a fall.

Meanwhile, this slip-resistance also extends to ice and frost, with each tile extremely capable under sub-zero temperatures.

For unquestionable clarity, each tile is given a “Grip Factor” rating of 1-5 (1 being low/5 being high) with the majority of our outdoor tiles achieving a rating of 4 or above.

These capabilities in cold and wet conditions make porcelain paving a fantastic flooring solution around areas that are prone to splashes and spills, such as pools and hot tubs.

Design Freedom

When it comes to creative freedom, the sheer variety of designs available with porcelain paving blows any other option completely out of the water.

Whether you’re looking for an outdoor tile that mimics natural stone or a paver that plays the part of a wooden board, PrimaPorcelain can provide.

And the creativity doesn’t stop there.

How you arrange the pavers and their chosen layout can have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic, while adding a secondary tile to compliment it can also open up a whole new world of designs.

If you’re looking to create something unique to your property, porcelain paving can provide that in droves with a list of combinations that’s virtually endless.

Seamless Transition

Following on from the previous point, porcelain paving tiles also provide you with the power to seamlessly blend your outdoor space with your interior design.

By choosing a matching indoor tile, porcelain paving can be transitioned from the outdoors into the home.

In addition to achieving a smooth, uninterrupted transition, it also expands both the outside area and the interior living space.

This can be particularly notable when incorporated with a level patio and foldable patio doors, providing an expansive effect that opens up both indoors and outdoors considerably.

What are you waiting for? Request a FREE sample today and see the power of porcelain paving first-hand! For more details, call now on 029 2080 3756 or get in touch online using the button below.

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Boasting deceptive durability and unprecedented diversity of design, the power of porcelain tiles can make for a fantastic home flooring solution.

Best of all, this porcelain performance also translates to fantastic flexibility, particularly in terms of how and where you use these tiles.

Porcelain tiles are a superb solution to flooring functionality – both inside and out – and the combination of the two as an inside-outside transition can make for a stunning seamless finish.

Benefits of Inside Outside Transition Tiles

The list of benefits of porcelain paving outdoors is long and wide, ranging from its ability to withstand frost and moisture to its unrivalled fade and stain resistance.

However, while porcelain has a myriad of obvious benefits for outside use, it’s also the ideal surface for the inside as well.

Slip, stain and chip-resistant, porcelain tiles make for the perfect flooring solution for any kitchen, providing a great safety net in the event of a cooking mishap like a dropped plate or a clumsy spill.

Better still, this functional freedom also presents the perfect opportunity to blur the lines between interior design and your external property, blending the two into one expansive, free-flowing space.

Things to Consider for Inside Outside Floor Tiles

When creating an indoor-outdoor transition, it’s important to remember that there is a difference between indoor tiles and outdoor pavers. Inside tiles are typically thinner, measuring in at around 10mm, whereas outdoor pavers often measure at a thicker 20mm.

The reason for this is, of course, the practical needs of each. Naturally, an outdoor paver is going to need to be thicker in order to withstand the harsher elemental demands of the environment, whereas indoor tiles are specifically designed for an interior setting, featuring a smoother texture underfoot.

While most styles are available in both ranges, not all outdoor designs are available as an indoor tile and vice versa. As such, you’ll need to opt for a design that is available in both 10mm and 20mm format in order to create an uninterrupted indoor outdoor transition.

To avoid any disappointing revelations down the line, be sure to check your favourite designs are indeed available in both versions before you let your creative imagination run away with you.

Choosing Inside Outside Porcelain Floor Tiles

One of the biggest benefits of combining inside outside transition tiles is their innate ability to create space. The seamless nature of the transition opens up the boundaries of your interior, essentially allowing it to flow into your outside space.

That being said, a light-coloured tile can expand your space even further, creating the illusion that your property seems bigger than it actually is. Add a foldable patio door into the mix and you have the ability to bring your outdoors in and indoors out in an instance.

However, it may also be worth keeping in mind how you intend to utilise your outdoor space when choosing your transition tiles, particularly if you plan on having a pool or a hot tub. The level of traction of each tile can vary between designs, so it’s worth getting a paver with high grip rating if you plan on indulging in watery activities.

For more information on inside outside transition tiles, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 029 2080 3756 or get in touch online using the link below.

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