Outdoor Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain Paving is the go-to option for home and business owners alike and is a state-of-the-art choice with a huge number of benefits!
With a slip-resistance rating of R11, our porcelain paving will retain its grip underfoot, even when wet and as a non-porous stone, won’t allow moisture to penetrate the surface which will help to prevent any build-up of moss or algae, saving you time and money!
Porcelain tiles are suitable for any patio, pathway or driveway due to the extremely durable nature of the tiles and the lightly textured, non-slip surface provides added safety, making the tiles perfect for any family garden or even a larger commercial project.
The outdoor tiles are robust and long-lasting with a stain and scratch-resistant surface, so you won’t need to worry about any excess rainwater or accidental spillages damaging your patio as the slabs are simple to maintain, saving you time and money on maintenance.
Whether you’re enjoying your garden with family and friends and firing up the bbq or simply enjoying an alfresco-style coffee in the morning, our outdoor porcelain tiles are a great way to unlock your garden’s full potential.
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! Our outdoor porcelain tiles 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.
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! Red wine or grease from a BBQ is easily cleaned up by a quick wipe with some warm, soapy water. As with anything, spillages that are left over a long period of time will always need a little more elbow grease to remove, but there are 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.
From The Blog
Find out more about porcelain paving and discover the full range of options and benefits!
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. 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 [email protected].
Official Partners of Ipswich Town
R11 Non-Slip Rating
