Paving Slabs vs Porcelain Outdoor Tiles

Comprised of quarried stone, it’s naturally a durable and hardwearing material meaning your investment will last, however there are quite a few negatives to natural stone paving slabs when compared to porcelain tiles.

Even after just a year of poor British weather they can look tired and dull, requiring a lot of maintenance to keep them looking new. They are made of natural materials so have a more rustic finish, but this charm can make them harder to keep clean, especially if you’ve chosen a heavily textured stone.

As natural stone is porous then need regular maintenance to keep them hardy and looking good. They will need resealing (at least annually) to ensure they remain watertight. If water gets into the stone and then cold weather hits, cracks can form in the paving. Not only will they then deteriorate over time, but you will also get an increase in staining and algae growth which will be harder to clean off.

You’ll also find that, after time, they will need repointing as the mortar (which sits in between the tiles) will start to crumble and you’ll get more and more weeds coming through the slabs. This process will happen more quickly if you’re a fan of regularly power washing your slabs.

Although they are often a more budget-friendly option, you should consider the amount of upkeep required and the cost over time when considering natural stone paving.

Almost the complete opposite to natural paving slabs, porcelain outdoor tiles are hardy but also a lot less maintenance. The glazed finish means they are frost resistant so they won’t pop or crack in extreme weather, it should also protect it from fading in harsh sunlight. It is especially easy to care for your porcelain paving in the hot weather with our succinct guide. You can even choose outdoor tiles with a high slip resistance which means they will be safe for all the family year-round.

Another plus to porcelain is that it’s a printed design on a manmade material so it can look like anything you want! Technology means ultra realistic stone and wood effects are available so you can try to capture that rustic feel of real stone paving.

The key selling point though is the fitting. Porcelain tiles can be fixed onto a concrete substrate using a tile adhesive and grout which means no more weeds or cracking mortar. And, when you select a specific tile made for outdoors, like Everscape, there are multiple fitting options which make them as versatile as natural pavers. They’re also as easy to DIY as pavers and you don’t need to pay for a tiler if you’re fixing them on grass, gravel or pedestals.

The only real downside is that porcelain tiles are modern in aesthetic. They have a printed finish so you need to invest in good quality tiles to get a realistic looking patio, making them a larger upfront investment even if they work out cheaper in the long term. The uniformity of the cut tiles doesn’t always suit every garden, however there are ways to use these tiles to help them fit into more rustic, country styles.