If you're thinking about investing in a garden patio, you'll want to know whether the pavers you choose are going to scratch easily or not. Generally, our garden spaces are quite high-traffic areas, with family members, children, and pets all using these spaces to hang out and relax. If you have patio furniture that you move around (for example putting it out when it's sunny or putting it away when it rains), then you might be concerned about scuffs and marks on your paving. This is a pretty common concern and something you should really explore before you commit to a particular type of paving.
There is such a wide variety of paving on the market, from natural stone to porcelain, so finding one that's truly scratch resistant can be challenging if you haven't done your research. Luckily, we've been in the paving trade for decades, so we feel like we've got the experience and knowledge to offer you a good overview of the different scratch-resistant tiles on the market. So, if you'd like to find out whether porcelain paving scratches easily, just keep reading...
Is natural stone paving scratch resistant?
While you might think that natural stone is the way to go if you're looking for the best scratch-resistant paving, this isn't always the case. In fact, some natural stone paving slabs are notorious for scratching and scuffing. The types of natural stone you need to watch out for are usually the "softer" varieties. Sedimentary rocks like limestone and sandstone can scuff quite easily because they're not quite as tough as other rocks such as granite.
If you've ever come across natural slate tiles, you'll know that they too have a tendency to scuff and mark easily. Again, this is another example of natural stone that has quite a soft surface, so even the smallest amount of abrasion can lead to marks and scratches.
Some people find that marks and scratches add character to their patio, so if you don't mind the occasional scuff, then natural stone might be the way to go. However, if you're interested in installing a hard-wearing patio with a surface that won't be scuffed or marked easily, porcelain paving might be a better option for you.
Why is porcelain paving a better option?
Porcelain paving is a much better option if you want reliable paving that won't scratch or tarnish, even in high-traffic areas! This is is because it's been created with family homes in mind. Unlike natural stone, which is prone to quirks and variations, porcelain paving is created in a uniform way so that every paving slab offers the same great quality and scratch resistance.
The reason why PrimaPorcelain tiles boast such impressive scratch resistance is that they're made through a process called vitrification. During this process, minerals and clay are combined under intense heat and pressure, which in turn, creates an incredibly durable material. As well as being scratch-resistant, porcelain paving is also non-porous and consistent in colour and quality. Don't believe us? Just take a look at these stats!
In a deep abrasion resistance test (EN ISO 10545/6), in which paving has to result in less than 175mm3, hard porcelain passed with a result of only 139mm3. The scratch testing showed that any marks made on porcelain paving could be easily brushed away, leaving no lasting scratches on the surface of the tiles.
So, if you've been wondering whether porcelain paving scratches easily or not, we hope this clears it up! Porcelain paving is a great scratch-resistant option that will stand the test of time in all outdoor areas. You can shop our extensive range of porcelain paving below.
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