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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Block paving has long been a staple of outdoor flooring design, both in residential and commercial areas, as well as public spaces.

However, just because this classic method is a tried and tested approach doesn’t mean there aren’t new and novel ways of achieving this established paving look.

 

 

Popular Block Paving Patterns

While block paving can come in many forms with a variety of different designs, colours and sizes, there are a few go-to methods when it comes to aesthetics.

Here are the three block paving patterns you’re most likely to find dotted throughout your local neighbourhood.

 

Stretcher Bond

The most simplistic of all the flooring patterns, the classic stretcher bond look is one that never goes out of fashion.

Also known as running bond or half bond, the joints of each block are offset exactly half the width of each block beneath and above it.

The finished aesthetic provides a clean, uniform pattern from left to right, resembling a traditional brickwork pattern.

 

Herringbone

Named for its likeness to the bones of a fish, herringbone paving is a common choice for driveway designs in particular, providing a common sense of direction in its pattern.

The mechanics of the pavers also help ensure that the blocks won’t become displaced when vehicles brake and turn on them.

The mesmerising pattern is achieved by interlocking slabs to create an arrowhead, zig-zag effect for a beguiling finish.

 

Basketweave

Perhaps the most common and popular alternative to straight flooring pattern, the basketweave is named for its likeness to – you guessed it – a woven basket.

The end-result of interlacing blocks create a visual that looks as though the slabs are weaving under and over each other.

The traditional block paving basketweave pattern involves columns of pavers, alternating repeatedly between two vertical pavers on top of two horizontal pavers.

This also comes in a variety of sub-categories and modifications, such as the Boxed Basketweave and the Californian Weave.

 

"Common Block Paving Patterns" by Selcltd licensed under CC BY 3.0 (unchanged)

 

Porcelain Block Paving Patterns

While block paving patterns have long been achieved through the use of brick and stone, there is no hard or fast rule that says you have to use a particular material to achieve such as finish.

In fact, provided that the pavers themselves are rectangular in shape, the choice of material is completely up to you!

While there are plenty of options to choose from, we believe that porcelain is the king of outdoor paving. With a myriad of benefits and virtually limitless design options, the upside of porcelain is incomparable.

Boasting extreme elemental durability and unrivalled resistance to scratches and abrasions, porcelain is robust enough to withstand the demands of any outdoor environment, including driveways.

What’s more, its low porosity makes it extremely resistant to staining and also provides a high level of slip resistance. Add to that fade resistance that is unparalleled by any other material and you have yourself the perfect material for your outdoor design.

Speaking of design, why limit yourself to the bog-standard orange brick aesthetic? PrimaPorcelain has the largest selection of porcelain tile design in the UK, allowing you to achieve a traditional block paving pattern with a contemporary look for a truly unique finish.

 

What are you waiting for? Order a FREE sample of your favourite paving design today and explore the world of block paving patterns available with porcelain paving. Call now on 029 2080 3756 or click the button below to get in touch online.

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Block paving has long been the surface of choice for driveways across the UK. Pleasing to the eye, relatively versatile and long-lasting, paving makes for a decent option when it comes to surfacing your external property.

PICTURED: 20mm Bolzano Graphite porcelain paving

Outside of block paving, other popular options include traditional concrete, tarmac and gravel - again, all perfectly acceptable and practical materials for the driveway. However, in the near future, you can expect to see an influx of an entirely different driveway design.

It's out with the old and in with bold, so step aside tradition - there's a new sheriff in town and its name is porcelain paving.

Order FREE Porcelain Paving Samples >

 

Porcelain Driveway Paving

 

Outdoor porcelain paving makes for a fantastic surface for driveways. There are many reasons for this, not least porcelain's extreme durability and weather-resistance.

Porcelain is an inherently hard-wearing material, capable of withstanding a myriad of demands. Slip, stain and fade-resistant, it makes for the perfect driveway surface, providing traction for tyres without the worry of oil staining or losing its colour in the sun.

PICTURED: 20mm Concrete Silver porcelain paving

Additionally, porcelain is also resistant to abrasions and relatively scratch-proof. Meanwhile, it's also notably frost-resistant, providing reliable performance even in sub-zero winter temperatures. Deliberately textured for maximum grip, porcelain pavers retain their non-slip properties even in the face of harsh conditions.

What's more, porcelain slabs are also extremely low-maintenance, requiring very little TLC to retain their good looks and unblemished finish. With a porosity of less than 0.05%, they retain very little moisture and never need to be sealed. Simply give them a jetwash annually to keep them in peak condition.

Browse Outdoor Porcelain Tiles >

 

Choosing Your Driveway Pavers

 

Best of all, the sheer scope for patterns and visuals is virtually limitless when it comes to porcelain paving. At PrimaPorcelain, we stock the widest selection of porcelain paving designs in the UK, providing you with a cornucopia of aesthetic options for your driveway.

You can even experiment with two tile designs to really set your driveway apart from the rest of the street, opening up even more opportunity for artistic freedom and designer flair. You can even blend two tile designs for a stunning border effect.

Even the orientation of the tiles can make a big difference when it comes to the finished look and a combination of vertical and horizontal can make a wonderful criss-cross visual. Meanwhile, a herringbone pattern can create a fantastic sense of direction that works particularly well for driveway design.

Browse All Porcelain Paving >

For more hints and tips on how to create a porcelain paver driveway on your property, check out our blog dedicated to driveway designs for our hot take on this inherently cool look.

We now offer large and small porcelain tile samples so you can see our porcelain paving up close. Once you've picked your favourite porcelain paving, use our paving calculator to work out how many pavers you need & order directly through the website. We can't wait to help you transform your driveway!

British weather often gets a bad rap for being dull, grey and generally a whole lot wetter than we would like.

However, despite this negative stereotype, British summertime can actually be surprisingly hot – particularly in the summer.

In fact, the climate of British summertime has rivalled that of the continent in recent years, with UK temperatures reaching as high as 35.5 degrees Celsius in 2018.

In order to escape the heat and keep your property cool and comfortable inside, here are a few handy tips to help make your interior design feel as cool as it looks, even when the sun is blazing outside.

 

 

The science behind cool flooring

From a scientific perspective, the temperature of your flooring largely comes down to the conductivity of the material.

Materials that are good conductors can transfer heat faster, giving the perception that the surface is colder.

On the other hand, poor conductors will take time to transfer heat, giving a warmer sensation underfoot.

As such, flooring that’s an excellent conductor of heat – such as tiles – will naturally feel cooler in the summer than a material that is a poor conductor of heat.

 

Indoor tiles for summer comfort

Carpet is a poor conductor and retains heat, which can make you feel uncomfortably warm during the summertime. The hot air in the room gets trapped in the carpet fibres, acting as an insulator and retaining the heat in the surface.

Luckily, the same can’t be said for indoor porcelain tiles. Porcelain tiles are traditionally very conductive, making them considerably cooler to walk on than carpet due to their structural makeup.

One of the biggest perks of tile flooring is that it’s also great for keeping you cooler when the heat of summer is at its scorching peak. For a cool interior design, ditch the carpet in favour of the vastly more conductive and considerably cooler tile option.

 

Porcelain tiles in your home

Indoor tiles are commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens within the homestead; however, it’s increasingly common for them to be found in living rooms and hallways, as well as anywhere else in the house.

For a cool, tactful tile with cooling, tactile style, look no further than porcelain tiles from PrimaPorcelain.

 

For more information on our vast range of indoor porcelain tiles and outdoor porcelain pavers, why not drop us a line? Call now on 029 2080 3756 to find out more or hit the button below to get in touch online.

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