Frequently Asked Questions
Because porcelain pavers absorb almost no water and have a slip-resistant coating, they are ideal for
poolside installations. When used in conjunction with a pedestal system, any standing water will run
right off, causing them to dry quickly and eliminating any standing water issues.
Porcelain pavers are great on surfaces where you may walk barefoot because they don’t get very hot.
During their manufacture, porcelain pavers become more resistant to hot temperatures than other
types of pavers and UV-resistant.
Porcelain pavers have been precision engineered for strength and durability and can handle immense
loads of up to 2,000 pounds in some circumstances. They can even be used in driveways!
Cracking is typically caused by water absorption. When this water freezes, it expands, causing the tile to
crack. Thanks to their manufacturing process, porcelain pavers absorb nearly no water at all, which
means they will stand up to Canadian freeze & thaw cycles.
Thanks to various innovative products in the decking industry, converting a wood deck to a
maintenance-free stone deck is easier than you might imagine. In fact, products like Paverdeck Plank
and SilcaGrate are designed specifically for this purpose. Simply remove your existing wood deck boards
and attach one of the above products to the framing. The Paverdeck Plank or SilcaGrate becomes a
sturdy all-weather subfloor on which you can lay the stone.
The best time of year to install a stone deck depends on the materials and method used. If you are using
outdated techniques of excavation and building a granular base, you’ll need to wait until the weather
warms and the risk of frost has passed. You can build almost year-round if you choose a more modern
method of relying on a footing base rather than a granular base. We recommend using products like
SilcaGrate, Paverdeck Plank or a pedestal system, eliminating the need to plan around ground
temperature.
Porcelain pavers are unique paving slabs manufactured from the highest-grade porcelain, made of kiln-
fired clay and recycled materials. An excellent alternative to concrete and natural stone products,
porcelain pavers have been proven in some of the most diverse environments around the world. Unlike
natural stone, porcelain pavers are uniform in colour & texture and offer superior density and
unmatched performance.
We recommend installing your porcelain tiles over a pedestal system. Not only will this produce excellent results, but you’ll save time, labour and money. Using a pedestal system to support your outdoor porcelain tiles also eliminates the need for grout or adhesives and provides nearly instant drainage
Porcelain tiles provide outstanding load-bearing strength. Not only will they handle foot traffic with ease, but they can also even be installed in your driveway! Whatever your application, a porcelain tile will deliver excellent, long-lasting results.
Outdoor porcelain tiles are non-porous, which means they do not absorb stains or discolour. Unlike other materials that can stain from leaves, spills or other issues, porcelain tiles will retain their original colour without fading. During your spring clean-up, simply power wash your porcelain deck to restore its freshly installed good looks.
Extremely durable, outdoor porcelain tile will not crack or break over the winter. Because porcelain contains and absorbs so little water, tiles will not contract and expand with the weather, which causes stress and leads to cracks.
Porcelain tile is fired at 2500 degrees, allowing it to resist sunlight and UV rays and the damage they cause. All porcelain tiles have less than 0.5 percent water absorption rate, making them stain and weather-resistant. Because they absorb almost no water, porcelain tiles won’t crack in freezing temperatures like other materials. Durability and strength are two of the key reasons designers recommend installing porcelain tiles in outdoor spaces. Impervious to the elements, porcelain tiles will not crack or break in the winter or break down in the sun. They also offer a high weight-bearing capability, making them suitable for a variety of projects, including driveways.
Porcelain tiles are a long-term investment that requires no eventual replacement. Often porcelain tiles are produced with recycled materials too. They require no adhesives and their dry installation also significantly reduces the creation of dust and pollutants in the environment. Kronos Porcelain Pavers & Tiles are composed of 60% to 70% recycled material. The manufacturer’s philosophy is to minimize environmental impact during construction projects by reducing or eliminating the use of adhesives and setting materials, reducing or eliminating the use of water, and eliminating any waste resulting from the production cycle.
Porcelain tile, made of natural ingredients such as clays, quartz, and feldspar, and fired to 2500 degrees Fahrenheit, is 100% plastic-free. This makes it one of the most environmentally friendly flooring options available. Besides being 100% recyclable, porcelain’s durability means it does not require repeated replacement, unlike other materials.
Outdoor porcelain tiles offer a variety of slip-resistant properties that will have you upgrading your outdoor living space without fear of slips or falls. Porcelain is less porous than natural stone and absorbs less moisture than other hardscaping surface materials. The anti-slip and moisture resistant properties of porcelain tiles ensure a maximum level of safety in areas prone to wet conditions. The patterns printed on outdoor porcelain tiles add moderate texture to the tile surface and increase slip resistance. The surface texture largely determines the slipperiness of porcelain. Some porcelain tiles also have an anti-slip coating for additional peace of mind.
While no tile or other outdoor flooring can be entirely “slip-proof,” there are industry standards and tests that determine the slip resistance of tiles. The DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction value) is the industry standard, setting the minimum standard for exterior floor tile at ≥ .60 DCOF, whether for use on walkways or around a pool. Landmark Ceramics offers outdoor porcelain tiles rated as high as ≥ 0.70 (Grip Finish) for outdoor residential and commercial spaces and indoor installation wherever the highest anti-slip performances are required.