Porcelain Patios Redcar

Example image: a charcoal porcelain patio outside French doors on a modern detached house, wet after rain

What porcelain does well

Porcelain slabs are fired at very high temperatures, which makes them dense and almost non-porous. Rain, salt spray, barbecue fat and leaf stains sit on the surface instead of soaking in, so most marks come off with a brush and a hose.

Very little upkeep. No sealing, and algae finds it hard to take hold.
Even, modern look. Slabs are uniform, so lines are crisp and joints tight. Finishes range from plain greys to stone, slate and wood effects.
Colour that stays put. The colour runs through the slab and does not fade in the sun.
Grip. Outdoor porcelain has a textured face with a slip rating meant for outside. Check the rating on the range you like.

On the other side: it costs more than most concrete slabs, it is hard to cut cleanly, and it shows up poor laying. The fitting matters as much as the product.

How it should go down

Porcelain is so dense that mortar will not grip it unaided. A proper job includes:

A compacted crushed-stone sub-base, deep enough for the ground under your garden.
A full bed of mortar under every slab, with no hollows that could lead to a crack.
Slurry primer painted on the back of each slab just before it is laid, so it bonds to the bed.
A fall away from the house, with the surface finished well below the damp-proof course. Large patios against the house often have a slot or channel drain along the doors.
Diamond-blade cuts and a jointing compound made for porcelain, which copes better with wind and weather than a weak sand and cement mix.

When you compare quotes, ask whether every slab is primed and laid on a full bed. If not, look elsewhere.

Is porcelain right for you?

Porcelain suits the newer estates in Marske and New Marske, modern extensions with bi-fold doors and anyone who would rather sit on the patio than scrub it. It is also a good choice for a shady yard that would turn natural stone green. If you prefer the character of natural stone, especially behind an older house in Saltburn or Guisborough, see Indian sandstone. For a tighter budget, look at patio slabs.

The same porcelain can carry on into a path or steps so the garden looks like one piece.

Questions people ask

Is porcelain slippery in the rain?

Good outdoor porcelain has a textured anti-slip face and is fine when wet. Indoor or polished tiles should never be used outside. Ask what slip rating the slabs carry.