Designing a garden that’s easy to maintain is a high priority for most homeowners. Your garden should be a relaxing space that you can enjoy rather than a never-ending list of jobs that need doing. One garden feature that’s very popular is a patio, but patios can be made of all kinds of materials. Some of these materials require a lot of upkeep while others require little to no maintenance at all!
If you’ve started your patio tile shopping you might have come across porcelain paving. Now, some people presume that porcelain is a very fragile material, something that’s not suitable for use outdoors, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Porcelain paving is an excellent choice for indoor and outdoor spaces and is also very easy to maintain. Let’s take a closer look.
How is porcelain paving different to natural stone paving?
One of the main problems with natural stone is that its composition can vary, creating natural weaknesses within your tiles that might not even be visible to the naked eye. Mother nature has full control of the way the stone, and later your garden tiles, turn out. For that reason, natural stones can be quite unpredictable and difficult to maintain. Yes, these natural variations can be charming, but a variegated design doesn’t have to come at a cost.
In comparison, porcelain paving is a manmade material, which means it can be manufactured to very exacting standards. High-quality porcelain paving from companies like PrimaPorcelain, are vitrified at a high temperature. The heat and pressure applied to the tiles during this process mimics the natural process of rock formation, but can be done under controlled conditions to create tiles of a more consistent quality.
Do different tiles require different maintenance?
Yes, different tiles do require a different amount of maintenance, which is something that you should bear in mind when you’re choosing tiles for your home/garden. If you’re looking for low-maintenance patio tiles, porcelain paving is the best choice. Why? Because porcelain paving requires practically no maintenance. All that your tiles will need to keep them clean and dirt-free is a wipe over with warm soapy water. The tiles themselves are non-porous, so they’re very unlikely to take on surface stains. This makes them perfect for use inside and outside the house.
Most natural tiles require a lot of maintenance to keep them looking their best. Stones like limestone, slate and sandstone are porous and prone to chipping. One of the ways that you can remedy this is to seal the tiles annually, if not twice a year. Not only is sealant expensive, it’s also messy and time consuming to apply!
Does porcelain paving have a natural appearance?
You might be worried that since porcelain paving is a man-made material, it must have a very perfected appearance. Again, this isn’t the case. Manufacturing techniques for porcelain paving have come a long way, and companies are able to create porcelain tiles that have the same natural variegation as natural stone tiles. Some porcelain paving even mimics hardwood flooring, allowing you have a natural wood-effect patio without the hassle of natural timber.
There is a lot of flexibility when it comes to the design, colour and grain of porcelain paving, so we’re sure you’ll be able to find something that fits your design aesthetic perfectly.
So, to answer the question “is porcelain paving easy to maintain?” the answer is yes! Porcelain paving is generally a lot easier to maintain than natural stone paving. If you’re looking for a low maintenance patio option, take a look at porcelain paving.
