Choosing the ideal materials for an outdoor hardscaping project can be challenging. From walkways to poolside decks, patios, or even a brand-new driveway, there are plenty of considerations when selecting the best type of pavers for your setting.
Porcelain pavers have a luxurious and modern aesthetic that makes them suitable for commercial and residential use. From realistic textures, like wood, stone and concrete, to different sizes and shapes, these pavers can be customized for any application – even large slabs perfect for outdoor countertops or stairs.
Porcelain pavers have quickly become one of the most sought-after options for outdoor uses, like decking, patios and other hardscaping. Despite this newfound success, many misconceptions about them still remain.
To help eliminate your fears and doubts about outdoor porcelain pavers, here are answers to the top six most frequently asked questions about this popular and versatile building material.
Do Porcelain Pavers Crack?
Porcelain pavers absorb practically no water, which protects them from cracking after freezing and thawing. Porcelain pavers are made of very hard and dense material fired at very high temperatures. The hard surface of porcelain pavers makes them highly resistant to scratches and abrasion, which helps them retain their original texture and aesthetic appeal for many years, especially in comparison to natural stone and concrete products. Porcelain pavers are precision engineered for added strength, with outstanding load-bearing strength. This, combined with their impressive chemical and thermal shock resistance, means that they offer an incredibly long-lasting solution.
Do Porcelain Pavers Get Hot?
When designing an outdoor space that will be exposed to summer heat, it is important to select materials that can withstand high temperatures. Porcelain pavers stand out from other paving options due to their specialized manufacturing process. These unique pavers offer a higher level of weather and UV resistance, meaning they will stay cool underfoot even when the thermometer rises.
Do Porcelain Pavers Get Slippery?
When exposed to water, porcelain outdoor pavers won’t become slippery, making them an excellent choice for pool decks. The slip-resistant top surface prevents dangerous situations from arising and ensures safe usage in walkways and areas that might get wet. Unlike many stone pavers such as concrete and granite, the non-slip feature of porcelain pavers makes them a preferred material for areas where wetness could be an issue.
Are Porcelain Pavers Hard to Keep Clean?
Outdoor porcelain pavers offer exceptional protection against staining. This is thanks to their extremely low moisture absorption, combined with compressive strength, which provides a very dense surface. They are designed so that their colour will never fade or become discoloured under any conditions, making them require almost no maintenance whatsoever! Simply give them a quick power wash to restore them to their freshly installed good looks.
Are Porcelain Pavers Expensive?
Long-lasting and low-maintenance porcelain pavers are competitively priced and available in a wide range of price points. Poured concrete might seem cheaper on the surface, but porcelain pavers are far more worthwhile when considering overall durability. They have an upfront higher cost than poured or stamped concrete but offer greater lifetime value, making them worth investing in.
Are Porcelain Pavers Suitable for Cold Climates?
Porcelain pavers are far superior to natural stone and concrete when it comes to their resistance to the cold – even at temperatures as low as -60 degrees. Not only this, but they have a virtually impermeable surface, meaning that de-icing salts or other materials won’t damage them.
Porcelain pavers are produced using high-temperature treatments, making them far tougher and denser than natural stone. With their fired glazed surface-reaching 1200 degrees, they possess a strong, scratch-resistant surface perfect for driveways, commercial sites, and busy areas with heavy foot traffic. Moreover, these pavers will hold up against cold winter temperatures due to their low absorption rate and frost resistance. In addition to being able to withstand freezing temperatures and snow accumulation, porcelain pavers are unaffected by de-icing salt or fluids due to their impermeable quality.
Porcelain pavers provide a sophisticated and elegant touch to outdoor design in residential and commercial spaces. Our experienced team can help you choose the perfect product for your desired area – be it an entranceway, walkway, balcony, patio, pool deck, rooftop, or driveway. To learn more about how outdoor porcelain pavers can work with your upcoming hardscape projects, reach out to us now!
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