High-Performance Vitrified Porcelain

Porcelain paving is vitreous, meaning that just like glass it is non-porous/impermeable and does not absorb water. Porcelain becomes vitrified when its constituent ceramic clays are subjected to very high temperatures in kilns (1400°C) and the ceramic materials melt and become fused at the molecular level - creating a glass-like impermeable material that is incredibly strong and durable as well as being waterproof. These properties of high-strength, durability and waterproof-impermeability are what makes porcelain ideal for paving products.

• Long-lasting - because vitrified porcelain paving is impermeable, very strong and hard-wearing, it has inherent advantages that ensure it will last for many years once installed.
• Scratch-resistant - porcelain paving is very strong and very hard, consisting of molecularly fused clays and particulates that through the vitrification process become bounded into what could be considered a homogeneous slab. This hardness and strength mean it is innately abrasion-resistant and difficult to scratch or mark.
• Waterproof - just like glass, porcelain has a vitrified composition which means water-absorption levels are so low it is considered waterproof. This impermeability means the porcelain is not subject to freeze-thaw erosion or intrusion into its surface from most organic or chemical erosion processes too.
• Frost-proof - porcelain paving does not absorb water, so it is not affected by frost cycles and erosion that can weaken stone and concrete over time as absorbed water expands and contracts as ice within the slab.
• Stain-resistant - being vitrified (like glass) and waterproof means porcelain paving is harder to stain with gardening chemicals, BBQ spills or the odd glass of red wine that takes a tumble. Porcelain is also resistant to organic staining from fallen leaves, mulch, soil, fruits, seeds and other materials that commonly fall or spill and end up on your patio.
• Slip-Resistant - this paving has a high slip-resistance rating (R11 Anti-Slip) which it gets from the inherent properties of porcelain non-porous vitrified impermeability and the surface finish anti-slip technology. So it offers much better surefootedness than other forms of paving.
• Algae-Resistant- the impermeable characteristics of porcelain paving make it very difficult for algae to take hold and develop, and easy to remove too if it tries!
• Fade Resistant - natural stone is often susceptible to UV sunlight bleaching where overtime the natural pigments and hues of the stone will fade. With porcelain paving, UV resistant pigments and technologies are used to ensure that your porcelain patio slabs will not fade and keep their colour and vibrance.
• Low-Maintenance - non-porous porcelain paving, like glass, can be easily cleaned and maintained with soapy water. Simply brush it down, mop it and wash it off once ever six-months - that should do the trick and keep your patio in top-notch condition!
• Engineered Rectified-Edges - Deckwood Porcelain tiles are carefully machined to create a rectified-edge. A rectified-edge floor tile is one whose edges are perfectly vertical with respect to its surface. This is a result of precise machining of a regular tile so that each of the four sides will be at a 90° angle to the top and bottom faces of the tile.

Benefits of Porcelain Paving - Comparison with Natural Stone & Concrete

Timber Garden Decking vs Wood-Effect Porcelain

The aesthetics and beauty of timber garden decking are self-evident, but whilst it looks great, there are some downsides that anyone who has owned one, will know:

• Slippery - when garden decking is wet or has the barest hint of frost, it can be as precarious as an ice-rink.
• Algae - Decks can be prone to green algae, especially in shaded areas with the algae adding to the overall slipperiness
• Limited lifetime - Whether you treat or oil wood, it is prone to decay, with softwoods and cheaper treatments providing short lifespans before the timber needs replacing. Cheaper timber can last as little as 5-8 years, whilst quality timber well maintained and preserved might last up to 20 years in the right conditions - but that would be the exception rather than the rule. Most decks will need replacing probably around 8-15 years from their installation.

Contrast this with wood-effect porcelain paving and the benefits of using this high-performance, durable and easy to live with and maintain product speak for themselves:

• Porcelain Paving R11 Anti-Slip Rated Surface - Deckwood Porcelain product range's anti-slip performance means you can walk on it more sure-footed and safely including frosty and wet conditions
• Porcelain Paving Algae Resistant - Deckwood Porcelain is vitrified during the intense temperatures of manufacturing making an impermeable non-porous material that, like glass, makes it resistant to algae
• Porcelain Paving Very Strong & Durable - vitrified porcelain is incredibly strong, durable and is almost non-permeable - meaning it is not going to abrade or wear-down, nor break, nor be susceptible to freeze-thaw erosion and weakening, nor algae, rot, or other organic intrusions. Being almost entirely impermeable, it's not going to stain easily too and is easy to clean and maintain.
• Porcelain Paving Lifespan - you can expect your porcelain paving to outlive you and possibly generations to come too. 

Laying Notes

As with all paving, it is essential to lay the paving by mixing the tiles from each of the packs that are to be laid. This ensures that the overall desired hue is achieved and evens out any slight colour discrepancies and pattern variations. Laying your patio one pallet at a time can lead to slight but visible colour banding, so we recommend mixing them up and dry laying them first to ensure they provide the right blend to your laying pattern.

It is essential to use a Slurry Primer, which should be applied to the underside of each paving tile just prior to laying.

We'd also recommend adding an SBR Bond additive with your laying bed mortar mix. Please refer to the laying instructions if in any doubt.

A flexible Jointing Grout should be used and care must be taken not to let it dry on the surface of the tile. We recommend applying a protective sealant to your porcelain tiles to help prevent marking from grout residue (Porcelain Tile Protector).

If you require any additional information on laying our Porcelain, please give us a call on 01993 608 824 and speak to our dedicated Paving Expert Team.