When it comes to outdoor paving products, the general rule of thumb is as follows:

The thicker, the better!

Some consumers are happy to purchase relatively thin paving slabs – after all, they’re cheaper, and they don’t look all that different once they’re laid. What’s the problem?

The problem lies beneath the surface. Thick paving slabs can bear heavy loads without showing the strain; they can stand up to reasonably high levels of foot traffic; they can stay strong in the face of wear and tear for years on end. Thin paving slabs...can’t.

Our 20mm porcelain paving is the thickest porcelain product available. It is sturdier, more robust, and longer-lasting than the competition, meaning that your outdoor space will stay beautiful for longer.

Oh, and one other thing: the superior thickness of Out 2.0 paving allows it to be installed without mortar, cement, or adhesives of any kind. We use a revolutionary pedestal support system that makes laying your paving slabs a quicker, easier task than ever before.

So, to sum up...

Thick paving slabs are better because:

• They can handle heavier loads
• They are less likely to be damaged by large of volumes of foot traffic
• They will last longer in the average outdoor space
• They can be dry-installed

Thin paving slabs simply can't compete! Order your Out 2.0 paving sample today.

Decking and paving: two quality outdoor surfaces, two equally excellent options. Since we have experience of both, we are often asked which of the two materials is better for the garden.

As with most decisions like this, there isn't a single, objective answer that we can give. Both choices have their unique merits, and at the end of the day, it mostly comes down to preference.

With this in mind, one good approach to this decision is to think about what kind of effect you want from the finished project. Generally speaking, a paved area lends itself to a smooth, contemporary style, while the natural-looking wooden boards are better for the more traditional outdoor space.

Of course, there are exceptions; some deck products are designed to look rather modern, and certain paving slabs boast a timeless, classical air. The best thing to do is as follows: decide what you want from your outdoor space, consider how you would like it to look and feel, and proceed from there, investigating as many different colours and designs as possible to ensure that you get the right one.

Now, some people might tell you that there is a clear-cut winner in this battle. They might say that paving is better because timber boards need loads of maintenance; conversely, they might argue that paving should be avoided because it's difficult to install. But, in truth, very few of these factors present a problem nowadays.

Composite wood decking and porcelain paving are both very durable, very easy to manage, and most importantly, very low-maintenance. Furthermore, neither product is decisively dearer; you’ll find a mix of cheap, low-quality products and more expensive high-end items in both markets. Whether you’re shopping for paving slabs or deck boards, you’ll get what you pay for.

This is good news. With those mitigating factors all but eliminated, you are free to forget about the specifications and concentrate on the design you want for your dream outdoor space. With no maintenance to worry about and very little difference in price or performance, decking and paving are both brilliant choices for the garden, and it’s entirely up to you which is better for your project.

Of course, you could always just do what Lee from Cardiff did and use them both!

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

In an ideal world, every garden would look just as good as the home it's attached to. There are several reasons why this can't be the case, but the big one - the real kicker - is the weather. Interior design doesn't have to cope with the nasty conditions that exterior design does, and where a lounge or a bedroom can concentrate on looking pretty, a garden needs to be geared toward durability and weatherproofing.

The good news is that, in spite of the complications your outdoor space has to overcome, it can still look every bit as lovely as the rooms on the other side of the back door. Our porcelain paving is a superior breed of outdoor flooring; its beauty surpasses that of most indoor flooring products, and it's moisture-resistant enough to deal with everything the elements have to offer. Order a free paving sample today!

Sandstone paving is a fabulous outdoor flooring option, to be sure. It creates an indescribable atmosphere in the garden, and that unvarnished, authentic look lends itself to all kinds of different outdoor designs. Sandstone paving slabs give your family a smooth, stylish surface to enjoy, and no matter what you do in your outdoor space - dining, sunbathing, gardening - the sandstone tiles will work wonderfully well for you.

But sandstone's conspicuous charms do come with a downside. Since sandstone is a natural stone product, your slabs will have a very high porosity. Porous paving might not sound like a catastrophe waiting to happen, but remember, a high porosity makes it easy for moisture to seep into the stone and ruin that flawless natural look. This can be prevented with regular sealing, but be warned: some sealants can cause stone to become weathered and worn.

Besides, sealing your sandstone is just another tedious job to do, and it's one that you don't necessarily need to bother with. Porcelain paving - particularly our Sandstone range - can be just as organically beautiful as sandstone, and porcelain's relatively low porosity means that moisture damage shouldn't be a problem. The paving slabs will stay pretty for years, and you won't have to lift a finger!

Browse our Sandstone range >