Along with the planning, designing, and constructing of a building, architects are also very much interested in how it will look afterwards. Not just in terms of structural integrity, but in terms of a more artistic view of beauty. Patio slabs play an important role in the overall appearance of a building; not only can they be used as indoor flooring, but the role they play in the outside area is particularly crucial.

The reason we say this is because your slabs will take centre-stage outdoors, what with there being fewer décor-distractions in a garden than indoors. This definitely puts an added pressure on really nailing the outdoor flooring, and this is where Porcelain Paving comes in! Architects really want to make a statement every time they complete a property, and our patio slabs allow them to do this!

Our manufacturers have the technological ability to make beautiful patio slabs that retain all the benefits of porcelain. Using various techniques we can recreate the identical shades, tones, and finish you get with the most desirable of stone paving slabs. As they are man-made though you also get a precision, consistency, and engineered-feel that you won’t find with natural stones. This all makes our patio slabs a very tantalising offer for the style-savvy architect!

It is not just a ‘statement’ property that could benefit from using porcelain; they may sound like a specialised material to some, but as we explained earlier they are made to look like more recognisable forms of flooring. These patio slabs have a large scope for application in landscape architecture, whether it to be to grace the patio of a traditional property, or to adorn the balcony of a minimalist apartment. The range of colours we stock caters to all styles and tastes – meaning no slab has been left unturned.

It’s looking good for our architects: in porcelain they have a slightly more interesting proposition than bog-standard stone; these slabs have the aesthetic-merit to match the finest of stone, with a reassurance you only get from hi-tech manmade materials. And we haven’t even got to the best bit yet – these tiles are going to carry on looking their best!

It’s all very well having beautiful patio slabs laid, but if in a short time their finish becomes blotted by water damage and stains, your efforts have been wasted. Where we think architects will really take favour with our paving is with its strength and durability. Due to the high temperatures it’s baked at, along with it being impervious to water, and the increased thickness of an already strong material, our porcelain is strong enough to be used in commercial areas – even those subjected to heavily pedestrianized foot-traffic! In a residential property our slabs are going to keep looking pristine for an age – this means the architect’s vision can enjoy some serious longevity!

Architects will enjoy the alluring-aesthetics of our porcelain slabs, along with their versatile range. They’ll also be won over by the quality and durability, meaning you both can enjoy this beautiful flooring for years to come.

One of the best things about the internet - and social media websites in particular - is the astounding ease with which budding designers can now find and share good ideas. Everybody's tweeting about their new-look living room, pinning pictures of their gorgeous new garden, and selling their upcycled furniture creations on Etsy. No matter what kind of project you're working on, inspiration is never more than a few clicks away.

We at PrimaPorcelain couldn't resist getting in on the sharing game. You'll find us on all the major social media platforms, but we have to say that we're especially besotted with Pinterest at the moment. We're particularly proud of our Garden Ideas board, packed as it is with inspiring little treats that we've collected from around the web. Here's a small sample of what we've come across...

Source: Completely Coastal

If you grow your own vegetables, you'll most likely want to use markers to remind yourself of which patch is which. These seaside-themed markers have been painted a beautiful, beachy blue colour and decorated with seashells and starfish shapes. Take a trip to your local rock pool and see what you can find!

Source: Hannah Tomlinson

There are loads of unusual flower containers to be found on our Garden Ideas board, but this image is a little different, using traditional pots but displaying them in an original way. An old wooden stepladder makes it easy to create eye-catching arrangements, and it looks attractively rustic in its own right! 

Source: The Berry 

Still, if you want the container itself to be quirky and cool, how about this image? It encapsulates an 'anything goes' approach to planting, using boxes, baskets, ornate drawers, and even a hollowed-out acoustic guitar as planters!

Source: Porcelain Paving

Okay, we'll admit to being a little self-centred here. This photo is taken from our very own website, but in our defence, this is a pretty great garden idea - matching your outdoor space to the look of your indoor space is sure to yield sensational results!

We're very keen on creating beautiful, unique gardens here at PrimaPorcelain - that's why we're so attached to our porcelain garden paving, and that's why you should follow us on Pinterest if you like original garden ideas.

Our porcelain tiles are great for the back garden, but that doesn't mean that you can’t dream a little bigger for them. We’re great admirers of beautiful landscapes, and we’re thrilled by the prospect of our porcelain tiles being used by a landscape architect.

Landscape architecture is the art of designing outdoor spaces for public consumption. This includes parks, playgrounds, urban spaces, forecourts, and all kinds of other spaces. And while we don’t want to toot our own horn, we think that our porcelain paving would be pretty perfect for any of these environments! 

A paved area can lend depth and appeal to almost any area. Imagine a verdant green park with a porcelain-paved path running through it, or a bustling, metropolitan forecourt in front of a grand, towering hotel.

We are more than happy to work alongside landscape architects to make these creations a reality. If you work in the landscaping business, get in touch today to discuss your requirements – call 029 2037 1584 or email info@porcelainpaving.co.uk for a chat with one of our friendly porcelain experts. We can’t wait to see the amazing designs you’ve come up with!

Image credit: La Citta Vita

We love to brag about our exquisite Italian porcelain. We’re not sure why its country of origin should make such a difference – perhaps it just sounds more extravagant. ‘Italian porcelain tiles’ sound like they’re found exclusively in the gardens of sun-kissed Mediterranean villas, where orange trees line the horizon and the paving slabs warm the soles of your bare feet when you walk around without socks on.

The irony is that, actually, our Italian porcelain products are perfectly suited to the British climate. The UK is hardly know for its sun-kissed holiday homes and orange groves; perform a Google Image search for ‘british weather’ and the top three results will invariably be photographs of torrential rain and/or flooding. If you want good results from your outdoor living space, you’ll have to either move to a hotter country or put a bit of thought into the products you use. British weather won’t be kind to inferior outdoor goods!

It seems a little strange that Italians, with their climate, should be behind a paving product that’s so good in bad weather, but we’re not complaining! Here’s a quick look at why porcelain paving is such a shrewd choice of outdoor flooring:

- It's not very absorbent. Natural stone has a very high porosity; this allows water to soak into the slabs, causing stains and moisture damage. Porcelain is far less porous, so there won’t be any stains – the slabs will stay fabulous for years!

- It's slip-resistant. Whether by water or by ice, British weather can result in some seriously slippery surfaces. Anyone who claims to be selling a non-slip surface is fibbing, but porcelain paving is much more slip-resistant than stone, at the very least. That’s part of why it’s so great for swimming pool surrounds.

- It's frostproof. Our Italian porcelain can cope with temperatures below zero degrees, so even the coldest environments won’t ruin your sumptuous slabs. Good news for Brits, and especially good news for Scots.

Autumn is just around the corner, and if you want a garden that can stand up to everything our weather will throw at it, porcelain paving is the perfect choice. Oh, and since we do occasionally get a bit of sunshine here in Blighty, it’s worth mentioning that our porcelain is also UV-resistant, so it won’t fade in the sunlight!

Our porcelain comparison chart gives you at-a-glance information on the differences between In.Out and Out 2.0 porcelain, but what about the differences between all of our different colours? Aside from the small square images, our comparison chart doesn’t offer much information on that front, so today we’re going to take a closer look at some of our porcelain tile designs and help you make the right decision for your project.

Onyx tiles and paving are the latest addition to our range, and they’re certainly one of the most striking options we offer. The bold black porcelain has an impact that’s impossible to ignore, and this is a great choice for fans of modern, minimal design. Onyx will look strong and elegant in home and garden alike – what could possibly compete with it?

Well, our Limestone Vanilla porcelain is certainly a contender. In many respects, it’s the polar opposite of Onyx; light and creamy, with a neutral design that emphasises subtlety over definition. It’s an equally exquisite choice for both indoor and outdoor living spaces, and we’re not going to tell you which of these two colours is ‘better’ or ‘more attractive’.

Onyx and Limestone Vanilla are both beautiful, they’re just suited to different designs. Onyx is ideal for a contemporary, cutting-edge look, so if your garden is outdated or your lounge feels stuffy, Onyx is the perfect antidote. Limestone Vanilla, meanwhile, has a less obvious effect, and if you want a soft, soothing atmosphere – in the bathroom or conservatory, for example – then this is your best bet.