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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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. 

Here at PrimaPorcelain, we know that real wood is a highly desirable and stylish flooring option. It's traditional, it creates a cosy atmosphere and it's been a firm favourite of interior designers for years. But, there's a catch. It can be a real nightmare to take care of! 

No matter how hard you try to avoid those accidental spills, muddy shoe stains (that could have been avoided if someone remembered to take their shoes off at the door), and scratches from heavy furniture, these things happen. But if you choose a tile floor, they won't leave a lasting impression on your newly renovated living space. 

Still not convinced that a tile floor that looks like wood is the way to go? Let's talk through some of the benefits of choosing tiles over trees...

1. Stain-resistant

With real wood flooring, it's absolutely vital that spills are cleaned up as soon as they occur, otherwise (you guessed it) you'll find yourself with an unsightly stain on your hands.  Be careful though, taking a wet mop (or anything too wet) to your wood floor can cause it to swell and bow. Now you've got two problems to contend with! Only a damp or a dry cloth should be used to tackle stains on wood floors.

On the other hand, our wood effect porcelain tiles can be wiped clean with no fuss. Spilt liquids will sit on the surface of our porcelain tiles where they can be lifted away with minimal effort leaving nothing but the beautiful wood effect behind. Don't worry, our non-porous tiles won't absorb moisture so you can grab your mop and get the job done without clambering around on your hands and knees. 

2. Scratch-resistant

Alongside your real-wood flooring order, you should probably invest in some furniture pads to prevent the inevitable scratching. Whether it's the TV cabinet, the sofa or the chairs around your dining table, your wood floors will let you know if things have been moved around too forcefully. Without furniture pads, you can expect to see deep grooves, scuffs and scrapes that are incredibly difficult to remove. 

Our porcelain tiles, however, have been put through a rigorous deep abrasion resistance test to ensure that no visible scratching occurs. Even if you do spot a little scuff, we're confident that it can be brushed away. 

Whether you're renovating a home before you move in, or you're sprucing up a room in your existing home, your furniture will need to be moved in after the floor's been laid. Avoid scuffing it from day one by choosing tiles that look like wood.

3. Low maintenance

When it comes to maintaining real wood flooring, you'll be popping out to buy floor cleaner and varnish at least once a year. Without it, your wood floor will start to look dull, worn and lack-lustre. Not ideal if you've just forked out thousands of pounds to have it installed, right? 

PrimaPorcelain wood effect tiles are notorious for requiring minimal maintenance. With a porosity level of less than 0.05%, you'll never need to seal or varnish them. Instead, you'll need to take a warm soapy cloth or mop and give them a quick rinse every now and again, that's all!

 4. Environmentally-friendly

Although the look and feel of nature in your home is appealing, the impact this can have on the environment is less so. In order for you to bring nature indoors, it has to be cut down outdoors. For the environmentally-friendly homeowners amongst you, this idea might not appeal. Luckily for you, our tiles that look like wood might be a great, eco-friendly alternative. 

We source all of our materials in an environmentally way, limiting transportation wherever we can. Once our tiles go into production, we make sure we recoup our waste materials and include information about using them in an environmentally friendly manner in our packaging. Perfect if you're looking to renovate your home without damaging our precious earth.

Our Forest Range

If you've made it this far, we're fairly sure you'll be ready to consider some of our wood-effect porcelain tiles for your home. Our Forest tiles come in four shades, so whether you want to go for a pale pine effect or a deeper oak finish, we've got you covered. Each shade offers a fine texture as well as the charming swirls and knots you expect to see in real wood. Select one of our shades below to find out more. 

• Forest White Pine
• Forest Grey Larch
• Forest Oak
• Forest Lignum

For more information about our range of tiles that look like wood, don't hesitate to get in touch. We're happy to help!

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.