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.