Tiles made of porcelain are often thought of as being suitable for use inside. You might simply exclude it from the list of items you need for the outdoor patio or walkway you are constructing.
However, as a consequence of developments in architecture and technology in recent decades, the atmosphere has changed. Porcelain has quickly emerged as one of the most desirable materials for use in patios, gardens, and other types of landscape applications. Because of its many desirable qualities, porcelain in the shape of tiles is a great material choice for use in external applications. Not only is it weatherproof, slip-resistant, long-lasting, stunning, and easy to clean, but it also requires little to no maintenance.
Any endeavor involving building might potentially be stressful. It may be difficult to choose a material since there are so many factors to think about, including the cost, the maintenance, and the aesthetics. You may not have given these thicker porcelain pavers a second thought as a decking and landscaping material in the past since they have just been on the market for the last few years, ranging from two centimeters to three centimeters. Porcelain pavers, on the other hand, have a lot to offer as a decking and landscaping material since they are so durable. There are several positive aspects associated with the utilization of porcelain pavers, and because we believe that you ought to put them at the top of your priority list for your following undertaking, we have compiled a list of these positive aspects, as well as a few drawbacks associated with porcelain patio pavers that you need to be aware of.
ADVANTAGES
Strongly resistant to damage
The longevity of porcelain, which can be seen in the fact that it has been used in so many different applications for millennia, is one of the most important qualities that it has. Porcelain is a material that is hard, durable, and wear-resistant, and it absorbs very little water. It is created from certain clays and additives, and then it is kiln-fired at temperatures ranging from 1,200 to 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lightweight
Because porcelain pavers are just 34 “(or 1 1/8 inches thick in the case of the most recent 3cm pavers) thick, they are lighter than concrete and the majority of natural stone, which makes them easier and more cost-effective to transport, move to the job site, and install. This is especially true for applications involving rooftop decks, where porcelain pavers can generally be moved in elevators.
Superior in terms of its aesthetic appeal
Pavers made of porcelain provide an exceptionally wide variety of patterns and colors, which significantly broadens the possibilities for outdoor design and enables architects to construct visually pleasing spaces that are in perfect congruence with the natural environment in which they are located. The greatest examples of contemporary pavers are almost indistinguishable from both genuine stone and natural wood because the colors are more deep and rich, display greater variation in light and shadow, and sometimes include unique elements such as mica particles. These characteristics combine to make the pavers almost identical to genuine stone and natural wood.
Easy to maintain and clean, needing very little attention overall
There is no need for sealants or protective coatings to be applied to the surface of porcelain pavers since they have a very low capacity for absorbing water. Porcelain can be easily cleaned of debris and spills like oil or grease, which may be difficult to remove from porous materials such as concrete. All that is required is the use of the appropriate cleaning chemical, which will remove any traces of the spill. Therefore, areas around grills and BBQs, which may be tough with many materials (including wood decks), offer no difficulty at all for porcelain pavers since there is no need to worry about slipping or burning.
Suitable for areas with a high volume of foot activity
The development of new technologies has made it possible to manufacture porcelain pavers that are both thicker and more durable than in the past, such as our 3 cm (11/8 “) pavers made of thick porcelain. Pavers with a load-bearing capacity as high as that of the T30 series are well suited for environments that see significant volumes of both vehicular and foot traffic.
Anti-fungal, anti-mold, and anti-moss properties
Aside from their resistance to mould and mildew, porcelain pavers are impermeable and hence impervious to most liquids, oils, and greases. This makes them ideal for outdoor usage. When mould and moss develop due to certain weather conditions or a shortage of sunshine, they are not difficult to remove.
More sizes
In the beginning, the only porcelain pavers that were available were 24 inches by 24 inches. In contrast, the range of possible sizes has significantly expanded during the last several years. You can buy single pavers that are as large as 96 inches by 48 inches, cobblestone blocks that are as small as four inches by four inches, and porcelain planks that resemble real wood in widths such as eight inches by forty-eight inches or twelve inches by forty-eight inches. These are sizes that are difficult to achieve with concrete pavers.
Temperature-resistant
Ideal for coating concrete
Porcelain pavers are ideal for repairing aged or broken patios, and also existing wood decks since they are considerably thinner than concrete pavers. In order to support the pavers, rubber pads must be placed beneath each corner. However, the new surface may only be 1″ higher than the old one. Installing the rubber pads is a breeze thanks to the pre-installed spacer tabs that come with them.
Fireproof
The fire resistance of porcelain tiles is an often-overlooked characteristic. These materials can resist high temperatures, making them fireproof. The baking procedure at 1200 degrees Celsius for over 60 minutes renders porcelain pavers highly fireproof.
Temperature-shock resistance
These materials are intended to survive any harsh circumstances. It can withstand abrupt temperature changes. These goods have been tested for more than a decade in Scandinavian nations, including the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, and Russia, and have never failed. They can endure temperatures ranging between +50 and -60 degrees Celsius.
These remarkable advantages of exterior porcelain paving are well-supported and might persuade one to get porcelain patio pavers.