What makes porcelain different
Outdoor porcelain slabs are fired at very high temperatures, which makes them dense and almost waterproof. That's why it suits a damp Teesside garden so well. Red wine, barbecue fat and leaf stains sit on the surface instead of soaking in, and green algae has a much harder time taking hold than it does on concrete or sandstone.
- Hardly any upkeep. A brush and a rinse is usually all it needs.
- Even and crisp. Slabs are consistent in size and colour, so you get straight lines and tight joints. Stone, slate, concrete and timber-effect finishes are all available.
- Colour that stays. It won't fade in the sun.
- Grip. Outdoor porcelain has a textured finish. Ask what slip rating the range you like carries.
The flip side: it costs more than most concrete slabs, it's hard to cut, and it shows up a sloppy fitter straight away.
How it should go down
Porcelain is so dense that mortar won't grab it on its own. A proper job looks like this:
- Dig out and build a compacted sub-base deep enough for the ground. On Stockton's heavier clay that often means going a bit deeper than you'd expect.
- Lay a full bed of mortar under each slab. Never five dabs: hollows underneath are what crack porcelain.
- Brush a slurry primer onto the back of every slab just before it's laid, so it bonds to the bed.
- Set a fall away from the house and keep the finished level well below the damp-proof course.
- Cut with a diamond blade and fill the joints with a compound made for porcelain.
When you're getting quotes, ask each fitter straight out whether they prime every slab and use a full bed. If they hum and haw, keep looking.
Where porcelain works well
It looks right behind the newer houses on the estates in Ingleby Barwick, Wynyard and Eaglescliffe, especially with large-format slabs outside bi-fold or French doors. It's also a good shout in shady gardens and the small back yards of terraced houses near the town centre, where natural stone tends to go green quickly.
If you prefer a softer, more natural look, have a look at Indian sandstone. If budget is the main thing, concrete slabs do a solid job. The same porcelain can carry on into a path or steps so the garden flows.
Questions people ask
Is porcelain slippy in the rain?
Proper outdoor porcelain has a textured anti-slip surface and is fine wet. Indoor tiles and polished finishes are not, and shouldn't go outside. Check the slip rating with us.
Does it need sealing?
No. It takes on so little water that sealing does nothing useful. A wash down now and again keeps it right.
Will porcelain crack?
The slabs themselves are very strong. Cracks almost always come from gaps in the mortar underneath, which is why a full bed and a primer on every slab matter so much.
What does a porcelain patio cost?
It comes down to the size, the range of slab, the groundwork and any steps or walls. Have a read of what affects patio prices or ask for a free quote.
