Porcelain Pavers; Benefits of Outdoor Porcelain Paving

Porcelain Pavers; the Next Generation of Landscape Paving Materials

Because 2 cm porcelain pavers are a relatively new type of outdoor paving tiles and landscape paver, many homeowners, swimming pool contractors and landscapers are not aware of porcelain paver features, benefits and installation methods. These videos and notes are intended to provide a basic overview on 2 CM porcelain pavers and installation methods. Always adhere to technical guidance and specification provided by manufacturers of porcelain pavers and setting materials for the best results.

Features and Benefits of Porcelain Pavers

FEATURES and BENEFITS

HIGHLY DURABLE - Porcelain is extremely hard and dense. This is why it's used for flooring in heavy commercial locations like airports and shopping malls. These heavy duty outdoor paving tiles have a much higher breaking strength than cement, travertine and other stone pavers.

ACID and CHEMICAL RESISTANT – Cement, concrete, travertine and all other natural stone pavers are extremely sensitive to acids. White vinegar, a mild household acid, will dissolve cement and concrete. Acids etch and mar the surface of travertine and other stone pavers. Pool care includes the use of harsh acids and other chemicals. Porcelain is completely unaffected by acids.

IMPERVIOUS and STAIN RESISTANT – One of the favorite porcelain paver features is stain resistance. Concrete, cement and natural stone pavers are absorbent and require regular application of sealers. Even this will not prevent oil, rust, fertilizer and other substances from staining. Porcelain is impervious. Nothing will absorb into porcelain pavers and they do not require sealers.

MOLD and ALGAE RESISTANT – Black mildew and green algae are constant problems with porous travertine and cement pavers. Their nooks and crannies provide pesky mold and mildew a place to grow and thrive. Porcelain pavers are inhospitable to mold and algae. There are no crevices for mildew to collect.

EASY TO CLEAN - Gone are the quarterly power washing sessions. Porcelain pavers are kept clean with periodic sweeping. Dirt and debris can be hosed off. Grease spills from BBQ and outdoor kitchens can be removed with dish detergent and water.

Match Your Indoor Tile Flooring with Your Outdoor Flooring

Make the most of the Indoor Outdoor Florida lifestyle with porcelain pavers!

Many interior porcelain floor tile collections include 2 centimeter (3/4") thick porcelain pavers. This enables you to expand your indoor flooring to your outdoor spaces; patios, lanai, swimming pool decks, walkways and driveways.

Your home will feel larger and more spacious. Imagine being able to throw open your sliders and increase your square footage of living space by almost double and all the flooring is coordinated!

Be sure to ask one of pro's at Atlantic Tile to show you porcelain floor tile that has matching porcelain pavers.

Common Residential Porcelain Paver Installation Methods

Porcelain Paver - Grass Installation

Direct lay installation on grass is easy, fast and perfect for the DIY crowd. Great for garden paths and charming patios. Porcelain pavers can easily and quickly be set in grass allowing lots of flexibility with design and layout. Permits fast removal and repositioning. Joint widths in a grass set should be 1/2" or larger. Grass set pavers permit quick water drainage and allow continuity between indoor and outdoor flooring. Always consult the manufacturers installation specifications for best results.

Porcelain Paver - Gravel Installation

Perfect for patios and large outdoor seating areas, the gravel method is a more permanent and solid foundation while still allowing the convenience of repositioning and removal. Porcelain pavers are easily installed on sand and gravel. This method allows for a minimum joint width of 1/16" filled with sand. The other option is setting pavers with a wider joint of at least 1 cm. This method cannot be used for driveways and parking areas. Manufacturers technical guides must be followed for best results.

Porcelain Paver - Adhesive Installation

Do you have an old concrete pool deck, patio or lanai that needs to be refreshed? Porcelain pavers are ideal because they can be installed with mortar adhesive on concrete slabs. Another marvelous feature is that many porcelain pavers have indoor tile versions so your indoor tile flooring matches your outdoor paver flooring. Complete your Indoor Outdoor lifestyle with rugged and beautiful flooring that seamlessly connects the interior of your home with your outdoor living spaces.