Turning a tired, neglected outdoor space into something truly astounding is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. Here are some 'Before' and 'After' photos to give you an idea of the magic that porcelain paving can work...

Before: This roof terrace in Barnet looked faded and ordinary, but we turned it into something far more eye-catching...

After: Ta-dah! Our porcelain paving has left the roof space looking refreshed, resplendent, and much more modern.

Before: Rain is always an issue in the garden, and wet weather had left this outdoor space looking somewhat the worse for wear.

After: The revamped garden is barely recognisable when compared to how it used to look! The porcelain paving looks great against the superbly stylish decking, and the low porosity of porcelain means that those paving slabs will stay beautiful whatever the weather.

To read more about these porcelain garden projects, take a look at our brand new Case Studies page.

Image Credit: Solveig Osk

Autumn is a busy time for the avid gardener. As the seasons change, so must the back garden, and if you’ve got a green thumb or two, we hardly need to tell you that you’ve got lots of pruning and tidying to do if you want your outdoor space to look its best this winter. Frankly, we’re amazed you’ve even found time to read this blog – you must have a lot on your to-do list right now!

Of course, that only applies to the green portion of your garden. Bloggers and columnists across the UK are currently telling their readers to prepare their garden for winter, but if your back garden is paved with our frost-resistant paving, you’ve very little preparation to do. No matter how cold it gets over the next few months, a porcelain-paved patio from PrimaPorcelain will barely even feel it. Unlike natural stone, which is highly susceptible to frost damage, our porcelain products are proven to cope with sub-zero temperatures.

Even if we don’t get a dusting of snow this year, it’s a fairly safe bet that things will get pretty cold here in the UK. We can’t help you with your plants, but if you want the rest of your garden to be maintenance-free this winter, we’d highly recommend our porcelain paving.

You don't have to be an estate agent to know that a nice garden will boost the value of the home it's attached to. The positive effect on property value is one of the most common arguments for redesigning the back yard, and while it's kind of a shame to put all that effort into a space that you don't intend to use, the opportunity to get a higher price for your home is not to be sneezed at, especially in the current economic climate.

But there are hundreds of different ways to beautify a garden, and if you're serious about designing your way to a higher price tag, then you'll have to think up a good strategy first. Back in 2013, thisismoney.co.uk ran an article about the relationship between nice gardens and property value. They came to the conclusion that a big, extravagant garden design can actually discourage potential buyers, especially if they aren't keen gardeners themselves. A meticulously-manicured outdoor space is impressive, certainly, but these things require a lot of looking after; if the new owners aren't prepared to put in the hours, that once-wonderful garden will fall to rack and ruin before long.

So while a big, showy garden might well bump up the estimated value, you're more likely to actually sell your home if your garden is reasonably low-maintenance. And that's where we come in - low-maintenance is our middle name! Our gorgeous garden paving products require almost no care whatsoever, and they're still attractive enough to justify a nice big asking price.

So don't bother fiddling with flowers and tinkering with herbaceous border; you're more likely to catch a buyer's eye by offering them a garden that's beautiful without being a burden. Our minimal-effort porcelain paving looks absolutely stunning, and the new occupants can use it any way they see fit without worrying about the upkeep.

To find out more about our low-maintenance porcelain paving, call 02920 371584 or email info@porcelainpaving.co.uk.

There's nothing quite like outdoor cooking. The sense of anticipation as the barbecue heats up, the irresistible aroma of food on the grill...not to mention how much better a burger seems to taste when it’s been barbecued. Yes, with the overdue arrival of summertime comes our annual opportunity to enjoy a little outdoor dining, and everyone is champing at the bit for a chance to light those charcoals. This being the UK, you never know how long a window of good weather will last!

If you’re planning to wheel out the barbecue next weekend, here are a few things to bear in mind. Some are safety-related, some are just there to increase your enjoyment, but all of them will help to ensure that your summer barbecue goes off without a hitch!

Be safe before starting
There are several different types of barbecue, but all of them can be dangerous and so it’s important to make sure that everything is as it should be before you get started. If you’re using a gas cooker, check your connections and hoses for damage before you turn on the gas – you don’t want any leaks! Disposable foil barbecues are great for an impromptu barbecue party, but be sure to place them on a surface that won’t be damaged by the heat. Porcelain paving is more fireproof than grass or wooden decking, but there’s still a chance that the heated foil tray will scorch the surface, spoiling that beautiful design. Be sure to put the BBQ tray on a raised, fireproof surface before you light it!

Make sure you've got something for everyone
Will there be any vegetarians at your summer cook-out? Is everyone happy with burgers and sausages, or would some people rather have something else, like chicken? Everyone has different tastes, so get a good variety of food and make sure that nobody feels left out.

Stand by your grill
This should go without saying, but once the barbecue has been lit, don't leave it unsupervised. We know that it's tempting to go and do something else while the coals heat up, but if something gets out of control, you'll need to be there to handle it.

Don't forget the side dishes!
Burgers and hot dogs are all well and good, but a good summer barbecue has far more to offer than that. It's all about the salads, and not just the leafy kind: pasta salad, potato salad, and bean salad will all go down a storm. And get a few different condiments - not everyone will be happy with ketchup alone!

Share and share alike
You may have noticed that a lot of these tips require a bit of forward planning, but organisation is the key to any good social event. Try to get a headcount beforehand, and buy enough for everyone to have an equal share. Oh, and don't let your guests get greedy - if somebody's hogging all the chicken skewers, tell them to back off and give someone else a chance!

Safe until the end
Even when you've cooked all the burgers and wolfed down the sausages, the barbecue will still stay hot for quite some time. Make sure the cooker is out of harm's way while it cools down; that means no branches dangling nearby and, in the case of those disposable barbecues, no strong winds that might blow it across the garden.

No matter what you're serving at your summer barbecue, remember to keep it safe and let everyone eat their fair share. If you're worried that your garden won't make a good enough barbecue venue in its current state, remember that our porcelain tiles will turn any garden into an attractive summer hangout.