Porcelain

When talking about garden paving the conversation often starts with the purchase price. Is porcelain cheaper than sandstone and what are the installation costs?

Although the purchase price is important, don’t forget the installation cost is also significant. Porcelain paving is more expensive per square metre and tends to be more difficult – and therefore expensive – to install. This is compensated by the greater longevity and lower maintenance of porcelain.

Porcelain and benefits

Porcelain is made from dense natural clays, then kiln fired to produce a durable material with low water absorption.  The porcelain tiles, if properly laid, can last for 30-40 years and the UV resistance of porcelain means the tiles don't fade when exposed to sunlight. The moisture-resistance of Porcelain also inhibits the growth of algae, moss and mould.

Appearance and range of colours

Porcelain is a manufactured product and tends to be restricted to subtle shades of off-white, creams and variations of grey.  For contemporary gardens, the uniformity and sleek appearance are ideal for many cutting-edge gardens. However, customers seeking more rustic, classic garden paving would probably be better off with natural stone flagstones such as Raj Green or Rippon Buff.  

What next?

Well, how does it all fit together? The new path, Porcelain or Sandstone, needs to subtly guide people from one part of the property to another. Very often this would be from the kitchen to the garden dining area. Also consider future landscaping changes and what additional buildings, will hopefully be added to your garden.