Cutting these hard slabs requires a wet saw fitted with a continuous-rim diamond blade. The water keeps the blade cool and reduces dust, while the specific blade design prevents the edges of the paving from chipping during the cut.
Durable Porcelain Paving for Outdoor Spaces
Porcelain paving offers a durable, highly moisture-resistant surface suitable for patios, pathways, and outdoor dining areas. These 20mm slabs are manufactured by firing dense clays at extremely high temperatures, resulting in a paving solution with exceptionally low water absorption. This low porosity naturally prevents frost damage during freezing temperatures and restricts moss and algae growth, which keeps ongoing maintenance requirements to a minimum.
Correct installation relies heavily on establishing a stable foundation and using a suitable mortar mix. The paving must be laid on a full bed of mortar supported by a well-compacted quarry dust sub-base to prevent ground movement or sinking over time. Because standard mortar can occasionally struggle to grip the non-porous underside of the tile, applying an appropriate bonding agent to the back of every slab immediately before laying is widely recommended to ensure a permanent hold that withstands regular foot traffic.
Finishing the layout requires specific tools and materials to achieve a clean and secure result. Cutting the slabs to fit around borders or drainage covers requires a wet saw fitted with specialized diamond blades to stop the edges from chipping or cracking. Once the mortar bed has fully cured, filling the gaps with a weather-resistant jointing compound protects the slab edges, accommodates minor thermal expansion, and creates a seamless, uniform finish across the entire surface.
Porcelain Paving FAQ's
No, the manufacturing process creates a very dense, non-porous surface that naturally resists stains, water absorption, and frost damage. This means no additional sealants are required after installation or during general maintenance.
A solid, well-compacted sub-base is essential to prevent movement. This typically consists of 100mm to 150mm of compacted aggregate, followed by a full bed of sand and cement mortar. Spot bedding should never be used, as it creates hollow voids that can cause the slabs to crack under weight.
Outdoor porcelain slabs must be fixed onto a solid, full bed of mortar. Laying them on loose sand, gravel, or soil is not recommended, as the slabs will not be adequately supported and are highly likely to shift, lift, or break over time.
A gap of between 3mm and 5mm is standard for outdoor installations. This spacing accommodates slight thermal expansion and allows enough room to properly pack the joints, which helps to maintain the structural integrity of the patio.