Due to the abundance of possibilities, selecting the best pavement for your project might be difficult, but it’s still possible to discover the ideal solution without having to make any compromises.
It’s always crucial to thoroughly analyze your design requirements, personal preferences, and the intended use of the area before making a decision on which stone to use when beginning a project. Natural stone paving, such as granite, slate, and sandstone, has been used for many years in both residential and commercial projects. However, with porcelain paving becoming more and more popular, a much wider variety of options are now available, and it has swiftly taken the top spot when it comes to garden paving because of its many advantages and contemporary convenience.
We’ll go over the distinctions between porcelain and natural stone in this article, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each, so you can choose your patio paving with confidence right away!
1. Sturdiness and Robustness-
Natural Stone-
It is frequently forgotten that natural stone has existed for thousands of years before it is incorporated into your home. Natural stone takes a very long time to produce! Because of its hardiness and durability, the stone has long been utilised in both residential and commercial applications.
Because they are weather-resistant and well-suited to the British climate, the slabs provide a sturdy, long-lasting paving alternative while also maintaining their grip in inclement conditions. Our natural stone is calibrated to a thickness of either 20 or 22 mm, which is the industry standard suggested for outside pavement and offers sufficient strength and longevity for any normal residential use.
Because it comes in so many different colours and finishes, sandstone is the most widely used natural stone paving material; but, limestone, granite, and slate all have advantages and charms of their own!
Porcelain-
Man-made porcelain pavers are created by baking a mixture of clay, sand, and minerals at a high temperature. The resulting paving slabs are calibrated to a thickness of 20 mm and are non-porous, exceptionally durable, and hard-wearing. This implies that even a 20mm porcelain slab will be able to easily sustain typical patio and garden use and be able to support the weight of automobiles.
Because porcelain slabs are non-slip and require no upkeep, the whole family may play safely on them year-round and you’ll save time and money on maintenance. The British climate is also perfectly suited for outdoor porcelain tiles. They won’t break or get too hot to walk on in the sun because they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and weather.
2. Durability & Upkeep-
Natural Stone-
For a natural stone, sealing is usually recommended in order to help keep it stain-free and to help stop moss and algae growth. If your stone is light in colour, you might want to think about protecting it more because any stains will stand out more. Sealing is not required, though, and there are many different sealing materials available that offer different outcomes.
While some sealants only protect and seal, others can be used to improve the colour of your slabs. In addition to providing protection against regular wear and tear, sealing your natural stone patio can also help prevent fading, which can occasionally happen over extended periods of time in areas where the stone is likely to see heavy use.
There are no set rules on when to apply a sealer; instead, most landscapers and tradespeople will have their own tried-and-true techniques. Before laying, some individuals seal their paving slabs to avoid discoloration during the laying process. Others, on the other hand, would rather leave their stone untreated for up to a year to let the sandstone weather naturally before sealing it.
It is generally advisable to consult with a local tradesman, as they are better equipped to evaluate the many factors in your surroundings and provide tailored guidance for your project.
Porcelain-
Because porcelain paving tiles are non-porous, excess moisture cannot seep into or accumulate within the slabs, reducing the likelihood that natural events like algae or unintentional spills would discolour your paving. To clean the low-maintenance paving slabs from spills or dirt, just use a moist cloth!
Tile protector treatments are available to help release any dried-on material from the slabs for an additional layer of protection. Anything that is likely to leave a stain will not penetrate into the porcelain tiles the way it would in natural stone; instead, it will stay on the surface and be easily removed. In the long term, porcelain paving will save you a great deal of time and money because natural stone typically requires specialized cleaning products to remove stains and needs to be resealed every one to two years.
3. Finishes & Colours-
Natural Stone-
Because natural stone is extracted from the earth fully organically, it has true natural tints and tones. The stone has stunning variances from slab to slab, offering a plethora of design options and a character-filled outdoor space.
Among all of our natural stones, Rainbow Sandstone is among the boldest. Intense veins and swirls, as well as vivid purple and orange colouring, give each slab a distinct personality that will make your house stand out! On the other hand, Kandla grey Sandstone has a more uniform tint and a colour pallet of light with dark grey tones throughout. There is an enormous range of colours available in the vast selection of natural stone paving products, so you can always find something to fit the requirements of your project.
It is possible to treat natural stones to provide a variety of finishes and textures. Every one of these presents a unique set of attributes.
Porcelain-
Porcelain paving offers striking variations and a uniform, printed surface that exquisitely mimics the classic appearance of natural stone paving! For instance, Kandla Grey Porcelain is made to resemble Kandla Grey Sandstone, down to the colour variances and slightly rough surface that mimic the sandstone’s inherent rivens.
Additional options include the bold and dark tones of our Black and Nero porcelain, which will stand out in any design, and one of our best-selling options, Silver Grey porcelain, which has some lighter and more neutral tones that will make any modern patio look great and is frequently used in place of granite.
If you’re searching for even more brightness, the delicate and refined tones found in the ivory and white porcelain will definitely add extra light and space to any dim locations!
Porcelain tiles for outdoor use are also resistant to fading and will maintain their original colour even in the summer when exposed to intense heat and sunlight.
The non-slip properties of the tiles are derived from the light texture and level surface of our porcelain slabs. Porcelain, in contrast to natural stone, has printed designs that mimic the look of riven stone rather than rough riven surfaces.
4. Cost-
Natural Stone-
For many years, natural stone pavement has dominated the market as an economical and dependable solution for a variety of paving requirements. Riven stones are less expensive than other options that are sawn, tumbled, or shot-blasted because of their natural finish, which requires less maintenance.
Remember that genuine stone requires some maintenance to keep the paving looking nice. You may want to pay more for this because any ugly stains may require a different cleaning solution to get rid of.
Porcelain-
Prior to its significant decline in price in recent years, porcelain pavers were considered a high-end alternative. In fact, their beginning prices are now often cheaper than those of some real stones!
In the long term, you will save time and money because maintenance is considerably easier and the tiles won’t require frequent sealing. The non-porous slabs will prevent any liquid from penetrating the surface and leaving a lasting stain, although a cleaner may still be necessary to assist remove very stubborn stains.