Starting a building project can be daunting, with many factors like cost, maintenance, and aesthetics influencing the choice of materials. Porcelain pavers, a relatively new option with 2cm thickness available for less than ten years, present significant advantages for decking and landscaping. However, as with any product, they have their own pros and cons. If you’re considering them for your upcoming project, here’s an overview of the benefits and limitations of porcelain pavers to take into account.

ADVANTAGES

Highly durable

The durability of porcelain is one of its most significant attributes, evidenced by its extensive use across various applications for centuries. Porcelain consists of unique clays and select additives, which are kiln-fired at temperatures between 1,200 to 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. This process yields a material that is hard, wear-resistant, and has an exceptionally low rate of water absorption.

Lightweight

Porcelain pavers, being only 20mm thick, are lighter than both concrete and most natural stone. This makes them easier and more economical to transport, handle, and install at the job site.

Aesthetically superior

Porcelain pavers present a vast array of styles and colors, greatly expanding the possibilities of outdoor design and enabling the creation of visually engaging spaces that harmonize with the environment. Moreover, the colors are deeper and more vibrant, displaying greater variation in light and shade, and often include special effects such as mica flecks. This makes the finest examples of modern pavers nearly indistinguishable from natural stone and wood.

Easy to clean, minimal maintenance

Porcelain pavers boast an almost non-existent water absorption rate, eliminating the need for sealers or protective coatings. Unlike porous materials such as concrete, porcelain allows for easy removal of debris and spills, including oil or grease, with the right cleaning product to eliminate any residue. Consequently, areas near grills or BBQs, which often pose challenges with other materials like wood decks, pose no problem for porcelain pavers.

Moss, mold and mildew resistant

The non-porous nature of porcelain pavers not only blocks the absorption of liquids, oils, grease, and chemicals but also provides exceptional resistance to moss, mold, and mildew. Should any mold or moss accumulate due to particular climate conditions or insufficient sunlight, it can be readily cleaned off.

Freeze/thaw resistant

Due to their virtually zero water absorption, porcelain pavers are not prone to freeze/thaw cracking, which is a significant problem with concrete in certain areas.

Ideal for covering existing concrete

Porcelain pavers, being significantly thinner than concrete pavers, serve as an excellent choice for resurfacing weathered or cracked patios, as well as overlaying existing wood decks. They require only rubber pads beneath each corner for support, allowing the new surface height to be as minimal as 1 inch above the current one. The built-in spacer tabs on the rubber pads simplify installation, ensuring automatic spacing and alignment.

DISADVANTAGES

Brittleness

Porcelain, a hard and dense material fired at high temperatures, is more brittle than concrete pavers, yet it is comparable to many natural stones. This characteristic necessitates careful handling during transportation, especially avoiding dropping the pavers on their corners, and meticulous installation to prevent any raised edges that could lead to chipping.

Harder to cut or drill than concrete

The hard and dense characteristics of porcelain necessitate the use of specialized tools for cutting or drilling porcelain pavers. Diamond blades are crucial for cutting, and for larger projects, a wet saw is typically recommended. It’s vital to use drill bits made specifically for hard materials like porcelain when drilling holes, and proper technique must be employed to prevent cracking the tiles.

More expensive than concrete pavers

While porcelain pavers have become more affordable in the past five years, they generally remain slightly more expensive than concrete pavers. In areas without a nearby concrete manufacturing plant, the cost difference may be minimal due to higher transportation expenses for heavier concrete pavers. However, when evaluating the total lifetime cost of concrete versus porcelain pavers, including maintenance and long-term aesthetics, the initial lower cost of concrete pavers is often offset over time.