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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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!

Making your driveway stand out from the crowd can be a tough task. After all, what’s so sexy about parking space?

Well, with a bit of effort and a little imagination, you may be surprised!

A unique approach, a splash of colour and a quality choice of paver could turn your plain, personal parking spot into a radiant runway fit for a king’s carriage.

How so? Read on to find out.

Driveway Design Ideas

When creating a unique driveway design for your home, it’s important to remember that a driveway isn’t just a designated area for your car. It’s often the first thing you and your visitors will see when approaching your front door, making it a prime focal point of the property.

As such, a memorable driveway design is a fantastic way to create a great first impression.

Tiles for Driveways

Block paving has been the staple of driveway design for decades, creating a visually appealing pattern that is both functional and fashionable.

That being said, fashion changes and functionality can be achieved just as well with a variety of other means and materials, from gravel to tarmac.

At PrimaPorcelain, we take great pride in providing top quality paving solutions that offer design and durability in equal measure.

For a truly unique finish that’s as practical as it is attractive, the world of porcelain paving is well worth exploring.

Things to Consider for Driveway Designs

When planning your driveway design, considerable thought, attention and organisation can make all the difference.

This is particularly applicable to tile designs; here’s a few things to consider when designing your driveway paving plan.

Colour

Tile colour can naturally have a profound impact on the overall design of your driveway, with the ability to influence the mood, feel and ambience of your home in one fell swoop.

Clean, crisp colours and silvery greys can create an urban style that’s rich in cosmopolitan appeal, whereas a more traditional vibe can be created using natural stone-look tiles and lighter colours for a warm and welcoming homely feel.

Size

The size of the tiles will also naturally dictate the number of tiles you need to cover the area of your driveway, so be sure to take this into account before ordering.

Larger tiles are ideal for creating the illusion of space, while smaller tiles are perfect for intricate, more detailed designs.

You may want to include a variety of sizes to break up the design, while bordering your larger pavers with smaller tiles can make for a fantastic boundary to your drive space.

Orientation

For rectangular pavers, in particular, the orientation of the tiles can have a big influence on the overall design.

Horizontally laid tiles will give an organic sense of width for a wider aesthetic finish, while vertically laid tiles will make your driveway seem longer.

Meanwhile, diagonal paving placement can also create a fantastic finish that also provides an appealing sense of direction at the same time.

Pattern

Much like orientation, the way the pavers are laid can also have a distinct influence on the overall aesthetic; e.g. criss-cross patterns have a completely different visual effect than uniform tiling.

For the ultimate unique finish, a combination of tile colours, shapes and sizes can be utilised to great effect for an awesome finish that’s truly one of a kind.

 For more details on driveway designs and our range of porcelain paving solutions, give us a call today. Call 029 2080 3756 to talk with one of our paving specialists or drop us an email using the button below.

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Anyone that has ever attempted to renovate their outdoor space will know that the art of creating a great looking garden is a real skill.

Imagination, creativity and ambition can see your garden go from plain old plot to superstar social spot in no time. Meanwhile, poor design, shortcuts and lack of planning can just as easily see a solid idea disintegrate into disaster.

That being said, with so much choice and variation on the market, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to garden design. Just as similarly, it can be hard to know where to finish.

To help you out with the latter, here’s a quick rundown of the best ways to edge out the competition with garden borders that will leave your outdoor design with a finish that’s truly complete.

Patio Borders

From choosing the size and picking out your tile design to settling on the coverage area and how you want them laid, creating a paved area that has real wow-factor is a lot harder than it seems.

One area in particular that is often overlooked until the last minute is the patio borders. Seen by some as a non-essential extra, a great border can instantly upgrade an average paving finish to a truly awesome looking patio.

For a partially paved garden, this can be a fantastic way to transition from patio to lawn without making a harsh cut from one to the next. Meanwhile, it can also be the perfect way to incorporate an additional tile design to the overall aesthetic of your patio.

Lawn Edging

Similar to patio borders, lawn edging is essentially a way of bordering the perimeter of your grass area. This technique is commonly used to separate the central grass from a soil area of plants and flowers surrounding the lawn.

While this can be done in a variety of ways – including wood, metal and brick edging – a commonly overlooked method is the paving option. Stone-look slabs can be utilised to great effect as a means of adding additional light and colour between the lawn and the soil, while raised paving provides garden borders that are rich in depth and dimension.

Raised beds also make for a fantastic lawn edging option, creating a garden border that is well defined and accentuates the plants above the lawn. If using stone or brickwork to create the raised bed, topping this off with a unique paver is the perfect way to add a stylish unique finish.

Garden Paths

Paved pathways are a fantastic way to break up your garden space in a simple yet aesthetically pleasing manner. Best of all, there are a myriad of ways to do so, from pebbles to gravel and everything in between.

One of the most popular options is the paving tile route, creating notable departure from the grass. However, as the contrast between paver and lawn can be quite harsh, a fantastic way to temper that deviation is to include a border tile to soften the blow.

Similar to patio borders, this is the perfect opportunity to explore a different tile design and enhance the existing tile used for the path. It also gives you the opportunity to explore different levels and potentially incorporate other garden features, like flower beds, pebbles and plants.

Poolside Paving

A unique feature in UK gardens, swimming pools can be a wonderful addition to any British property. If you have or are considering adding one to your home, a suitable border can set this off a treat.

Border paving around a pool is the perfect way to round off your wondrous water feature. From raised edging to contrasting colouration, the paving route is the perfect garden border for your outdoor pool, definitively separating your poolside from the rest of the garden flooring.

Whichever garden design option you happen to have in your property, PrimaPorcelain can provide a fantastic edging option that truly borders on perfection. For more information, call 029 2080 3756 today or click below to request a FREE sample.

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