Porcelain Paving

Outdoor Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain offers impressive durability for any patio that will see plenty of use and can even withstand the weight of vehicles for use on driveways too. The scratch and shock-resistant tiles will look their best throughout the year, making them one of the most popular choices of garden paving available today! The non-slip rating of R11 makes our Porcelain safe for the whole family, even when wet, and the low porosity allows simple cleaning to remove any dirt or spills so you can focus on enjoying your space.

Our outdoor Porcelain tiles are more than just paving stones; they are works of art. Each tile is expertly crafted to replicate the natural beauty of traditional paving, with all the added benefits and modern conveniences of man-made material. With a wide variety of colours available, the possibilities are truly endless. Choose from striking black options, neutral greys, or lighter white and ivory tones to bring a sense of balance to your space.

The beauty of Porcelain Paving is not just skin-deep. It’s also a low-maintenance dream come true. Each tile is scratch and stain-resistant with a non-slip surface, so you can spend less time worrying about upkeep and more time enjoying your garden. Create a functional space where style and practicality come together to offer you the best of both worlds.

Traditional Colours & Modern Benefits

Choose from our wide selection of colours to find the perfect outdoor porcelain tiles for your garden.

Options range from the dark and striking tones within our Black and Nero Porcelain which will make a statement in any design to one of our most popular options in the Silver Grey Porcelain which offers some lighter tones for the perfect neutral backdrop to any space. If you’re looking for something a little brighter still, our elegant Ivory and White Porcelain Paving will be sure to brighten up any dark areas to create an added sense of space in your garden.

As porcelain paving is man-made, there is a great deal of control over the colours and finishes allowing you plenty of consistency for the perfect finish! Choosing porcelain tiles will give you the added confidence that your project will turn out just as you've pictured it! Porcelain Paving is also unaffected by changes in temperature with the colours staying consistent throughout and impervious to fading, even in the heat and sunlight of the Summer.
 

How Are Porcelain Tiles Made?

Porcelain paving is made from a mix of clay, sand and minerals baked at a high temperature. Once fired, each slab is ground and polished, ensuring they are of a consistent size and colour. This vitrification process makes the slabs easier to lay and means that your patio will maintain a consistent look.

Because of the state-of-the-art manufacturing process, vitrified porcelain paving is incredibly strong and can easily withstand high levels of footfall. The tiles can also take the weight of vehicles and heavy loads, making it a great option for driveways too! Vitrified paving will easily withstand any extreme or severe weather conditions without being damaged and are sure to provide a strong and sturdy base for your project.

Porcelain is produced in batches and colours can vary slightly from batch to batch. Please keep this in mind if placing a top-up order.

Can I Use Porcelain Tiles Outside?

Absolutely! Our outdoor porcelain tiles are double the thickness of a regular tile which makes them more than capable of withstanding the elements. It’s often easy to think of porcelain as a fragile material, but at 20mm thick, outdoor tiles are one of the most robust options available!

High-Quality, Low-Maintenance

Porcelain, the slabs are non-porous and will absorb little to no water. This stops any moisture from building up within the tile and will help to prevent the growth of algae and mould, as well as prevent moisture from freezing inside the slabs so they won’t become prone to cracking during the winter.

There’s no need to worry about any accidental spills as anything dropped onto the slabs won’t be drawn into the surface as it would in natural stone, meaning that you’ll simply be able to wipe the tiles clean with some warm, soapy water when caught quickly. As with anything, spillages that are left over a long period of time will always need a little more elbow grease to remove, but we offer some great products that will help you to clean up the tiles with much better results than you could expect from a porous stone, so you can be sure that your patio will clean up brilliantly every time!

Outdoor porcelain tiles won’t necessarily need to be sealed to prevent staining in the same way that natural stone would, but there are some great products such as the LTP Porcelain Tile Protector which will help to protect the tiles from any tough residue and lift off it off with ease.

How Are Non Slip Porcelain Tiles Tested?

The R11 non-slip rating is a key indicator of a tile’s slip resistance and helps to prevent slips and falls, which is critical for safety. The tiles are subjected to four different test scenarios before being given a R rating for slip resistance.

The DIN 51130 Ramp Test sees a tile placed on an inclined ramp, where a test operator wearing standardised footwear walks back and forth on the tile surface. The ramp’s angle is gradually increased until the operator begins to slip. This test is repeated barefoot, known as DIN 51097 Barefoot Ramp Test.

The tiles also undergo the Pendulum Test (BS 7976) and Static Coefficient of Friction Test (ASTM C1028). In the pendulum test, a pendulum device with a rubber slider attached is swung over the surface, and the friction between the tile and the rubber slider slows the pendulum’s swing. The distance the pendulum travels indicates the amount of slip resistance. The friction test measures the force required to start moving an object under dry and wet conditions to simulate real-world scenarios.

By choosing R11-rated tiles, you invest in safety and convenience, making them a smart choice for any space. Their ability to provide slip resistance without compromising on aesthetics or ease of maintenance makes them a popular and practical option for various applications and are safe, even in wet conditions, providing peace of mind for all the family.

How to Choose Porcelain Paving Slabs

Selecting the right porcelain paving slabs depends on where they will be installed, the look you want to achieve, and how the area will be used.

Porcelain Paving for Gardens, Patios and Driveways

Porcelain garden tiles work well for pathways, seating areas, and decorative zones where the material's stain resistance and low maintenance are practical advantages. For main patio areas, porcelain paving slabs provide a durable, consistent surface that handles furniture, foot traffic, and outdoor dining without marking or staining. Porcelain paving can also be used on driveways. The high compressive strength of 20mm porcelain allows it to support vehicle weight when installed correctly on a full mortar bed with an appropriate sub-base. Check individual product specifications to confirm suitability for vehicular use.

Choosing the Right Size: 600x600 vs 600x900

Porcelain paving 600x600 is a versatile square format that works in most settings and allows for various laying patterns. This size suits both modern and traditional designs and is easier to handle during installation.Porcelain paving 600x900 creates a more contemporary look with elongated proportions. The larger format means fewer joints, giving a cleaner appearance that suits modern gardens and minimalist designs. Larger slabs also make smaller spaces feel bigger.

Selecting Porcelain Paving Colours

Grey porcelain paving is the most popular choice, offering neutral tones that complement most garden styles and property types. Light grey porcelain creates a bright, open feel, while dark grey or anthracite tones suit contemporary designs.
White porcelain paving brightens shaded areas and creates a clean, modern aesthetic. Black and nero porcelain makes a bold statement in contemporary gardens. Beige and ivory tones offer warmer alternatives that work well with traditional planting schemes.

20mm Porcelain Paving: Why Thickness Matters

20mm porcelain paving is the standard thickness for outdoor use. This is double the thickness of interior porcelain tiles and provides the structural strength needed for external applications.

Strength and Load-Bearing Capacity

At 20mm thickness, porcelain paving slabs have a high breaking strength that exceeds most natural stone at equivalent thickness. The vitrification process creates a dense, solid material with minimal air pockets. This structural integrity allows 20mm porcelain to handle heavy foot traffic, garden furniture, and in many cases, vehicle loading.

Durability in UK Weather Conditions

The non-porous nature of vitrified paving means water cannot penetrate the tile surface. This is particularly important in the UK climate, where freeze-thaw cycles can damage porous materials. Water absorbed into stone can freeze and expand, causing cracks and surface damage. Porcelain's near-zero water absorption rate eliminates this risk.

20mm Porcelain for Heavy Use Areas

For driveways and areas with heavy use, 20mm porcelain paving provides sufficient strength when installed on a properly prepared sub-base with a full mortar bed. The consistent thickness of manufactured porcelain makes installation more straightforward than natural stone, which can vary in thickness across slabs.

Understanding Porcelain Paving Quality

Our porcelain paving range is selected for quality, consistency, and long-term performance. Understanding what defines quality porcelain helps you appreciate the value of investing in your outdoor space.

What Defines Quality Porcelain Paving

Quality porcelain paving is defined by manufacturing precision, surface finish, and dimensional consistency. Our range features tight dimensional tolerances, meaning slabs are consistent in size and thickness. This makes laying easier and produces neater joints. The surface finishes across our collection offer realistic stone and wood effects with depth and detail that maintain their appearance over time.

All our porcelain paving carries appropriate slip ratings for outdoor use, maintains colour consistency across batches, and features rectified edges (machine-cut for precision) that allow for minimal joint widths and a refined finish.

Long-Term Value of Quality Porcelain

Quality porcelain paving represents a sound long-term investment for your property. The durability of vitrified porcelain means your patio or driveway will maintain its appearance for decades with minimal maintenance. Unlike some materials that require regular sealing, cleaning treatments, or eventual replacement, porcelain retains its colour, resists staining, and does not support moss or algae growth.
When you factor in reduced maintenance requirements and extended lifespan, quality porcelain paving delivers excellent value compared to materials that may require ongoing care or earlier replacement.

Large Format Porcelain Tiles for Modern Gardens

Large porcelain tiles outdoor applications have become increasingly popular for contemporary garden designs. Bigger slabs create a cleaner aesthetic with fewer visible joints.

600x900 Porcelain Paving Slabs

Porcelain paving 600x900 is the most popular large format option. The elongated proportions suit modern architecture and create visual flow across patio areas. Laying in a stretcher bond pattern (staggered like brickwork) emphasises the length of the space.

Benefits of Reduced Grout Lines

Larger porcelain slabs mean fewer joints across your patio. This creates a cleaner appearance and reduces the areas where dirt and moss can accumulate. Less grouting also means faster installation and lower maintenance over time.

Design Considerations for Large Tiles

Large format porcelain works particularly well with minimalist planting, contemporary furniture, and modern property styles. For traditional settings, consider combining large slabs with smaller sizes or borders to soften the modern aesthetic.

Porcelain Paving for Driveways and Heavy Use

Porcelain paving can be used for driveways when the correct products and installation methods are specified.

Load-Bearing Requirements

For driveway use, porcelain paving must be laid on a full mortar bed rather than spot-bedding. This provides continuous support across the entire slab, distributing vehicle weight evenly. The mortar bed should be 25-40mm thick on top of a compacted sub-base.

Sub-base Preparation

Driveways require a more substantial sub-base than patios. A typical specification includes 150mm of compacted MOT Type 1 aggregate, compared to 100mm for a pedestrian-only patio. The sub-base must be properly compacted in layers to prevent future settlement.

Product Selection for Driveways

Our porcelain ranges suitable for driveways are clearly indicated in the product specifications. Products designed for heavy use have higher breaking strength and reinforced edges to resist chipping from tyre turning forces. Our team can advise on the most suitable options for your driveway project.

Slip Resistance and Safety for Outdoor Porcelain

Slip resistance is an important consideration for exterior floor tiles, particularly in the UK where wet conditions are common.

Understanding R11 Slip Ratings

The R rating system measures slip resistance, with R11 being the standard for outdoor porcelain paving. R11-rated tiles provide adequate grip for external use, including around pools and in areas that stay wet. Some porcelain ranges achieve R12 ratings for applications requiring higher slip resistance.

Performance in Wet UK Conditions

R11 porcelain paving maintains its slip resistance when wet. The textured surface of outdoor porcelain provides grip regardless of weather conditions. Unlike some natural stones that become slippery when wet, properly rated porcelain offers consistent safety throughout the year.

Family Safety Considerations

For families with children or elderly relatives, slip-resistant porcelain paving provides reassurance in outdoor spaces. The R11 rating ensures the surface is safe for barefoot use around pools and for general garden use in all weather conditions.

Porcelain Paving vs Natural Stone: A Comparison

Both porcelain and natural stone have their place in garden design. Understanding their different characteristics helps you choose the right material for your project.

Maintenance Comparison

Porcelain paving requires minimal maintenance. The non-porous surface resists staining, does not support moss or algae growth, and cleans easily with water. Natural stone is porous and may require periodic sealing. Some stones are more prone to staining, moss growth, and weathering over time.

Appearance and Character

Porcelain offers consistent colour and texture across all slabs. Modern manufacturing can replicate the appearance of natural stone with high accuracy. Natural stone has genuine variation; no two slabs are identical. Some homeowners prefer this natural character, while others prefer the uniformity of porcelain.

Durability and Longevity

Both materials are durable when properly installed. Porcelain is harder and more scratch-resistant than most natural stones. It does not fade in sunlight. Natural stone may develop a patina over time; some homeowners value this aging process, while others prefer the unchanging appearance of porcelain.

Choosing Between the Two

Choose porcelain paving slabs for low maintenance, consistent appearance, and modern designs. Choose natural stone for traditional settings, natural character, and where authentic stone appearance is important. We stock both materials in our range, and our team can help you decide which suits your project.

Buying Porcelain Paving in Bulk

Larger projects benefit from bulk ordering, which ensures material consistency across your entire installation.

Trade and Volume Buyers

Landscapers, builders, and trade customers ordering porcelain paving in bulk benefit from our trade service. Bulk orders ensure all slabs come from the same production batch, which is important for colour consistency across large areas.

Advantages of Pallet Orders

Ordering by the pallet simplifies delivery logistics and ensures you have sufficient material for your project. Full pallet deliveries also reduce the risk of damage compared to split orders. For large patios and commercial projects, pallet ordering is the most efficient approach.

Calculating Your Requirements

Measure your area in square metres (length multiplied by width). Add 5-10% for cuts and wastage on rectangular areas, or 10-15% for complex shapes and diagonal patterns. Our team can help calculate exact quantities for your project and ensure you order the right amount.

Porcelain Paving Delivery Across the UK

We deliver porcelain paving slabs throughout the UK to residential addresses and trade premises.

UK-Wide Pallet Delivery

Porcelain paving is delivered on pallets via curtain-sided lorry. Deliveries are kerbside; the driver will place the pallet as close to your property as safely accessible. Most UK mainland addresses receive delivery within 3-5 working days of order.

Residential and Trade Deliveries

We deliver to homes, building sites, and commercial premises. If access is restricted (narrow lanes, weight limits, or limited turning space), let us know when ordering so appropriate transport can be arranged.

Free Delivery Options

Free delivery is available on qualifying orders to most UK mainland postcodes. Enter your postcode at checkout or contact us to confirm delivery options for your area.

Why Choose Porcelain Paving from Nustone

Our porcelain paving collection is carefully selected to offer quality, performance, and long-lasting results for UK homes and gardens.

✓ High-quality porcelain with consistent colour and finish across every slab

✓ R11 slip-rated tiles for safe outdoor use in all weather conditions

✓ 20mm thickness designed for durability and long-term performance

✓ Low maintenance with no sealing required

✓ Frost-proof and stain-resistant for reliable UK weather performance

✓ Free samples available to help you choose with confidence

✓ UK-wide delivery with free delivery on qualifying orders

✓ Dedicated support team available by phone and email

From The Blog

Find out more about porcelain paving and discover the full range of options and benefits!

• Porcelain Vs. Natural Stone – Which Is Best?
• Installation Guide – Tips For Laying A Patio

Order A FREE Sample

With so many options, it can be hard to come to a decision on which is the right choice for your project. This is why we offer our customers FREE Samples, allowing you to see and feel the tiles before ordering so you can be sure you are making the right choice! Our free sample service will allow you to feel the texture of the stone and will give you a great idea of some of the colours and tones in our outdoor porcelain paving slabs. You’ll also find some great examples of some of the natural variations that you’re likely to see in the product images on each product page.

Read Our Advice On Laying A Patio

Our handy guide lists the best practices for the preparation and process of laying a patio on a mortar bed and is suitable for vitrified paving, such as Porcelain. We also cover the basics of grouting, sealing and maintenance so that you have a full overview of the process from start to finish and are fully prepared before you begin your project!

Read our Installation Guide for more.

Contact Us Today

Find the answers to our most frequently asked questions here. Alternatively, to speak to a member of our team, contact us on 01206 700 599 or support@nustone.co.uk.