Jeremy Lee, Commercial Director at Bradstone, highlights why porcelain paving has become so popular in garden design, and his top tips for how to correctly install it.
Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a real increase in the popularity of porcelain paving amongst homeowners, who are taken in by its aesthetic appeal and hard-wearing characteristics. It is remarkably dense, meaning it is scratch-resistant and lower maintenance than other paving materials, and thus it the ideal choice for high footfall paths, and for eye-catching areas which may feature a garden table and chairs. This is even more important now, as many homeowners buck the trend of ‘outdoor living’ meaning more time spent in their garden, and therefore a greater need for a long-lasting patio.
What’s more, smoother surfaced, 10mm thick versions are also available in selected ranges to allow homeowners to use the paving indoors, creating a harmonious flow from the house to the garden.
While the general process of laying porcelain is not too different from any other paving, there are some specific installation techniques, which will ensure the patio is long-wearing, laid to a high-standard and therefore will meet the expectations of the customer. Always dry lay the patio first so you can ensure the homeowner is happy with the look and layout and, more importantly, that you have enough pavers. When laying porcelain paving, ensure you are using the correct bedding. Use a mechanical mixer to make a mortar of 4:1 sharp sand to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and be sure to avoid building sand or white cement. To ensure the paver properly adheres to the bed, you should always use Bradbond Slurry Primer. Using a masonry brush, coat the entire underside of the flag immediately prior to laying. Take care to avoid getting any primer on the face of the flags as it sets rock hard and can be impossible to remove if allowed to dry.”
Romeli
Romeli is a range of beautiful porcelain paving with its fettled edges offering charm, character and a timeless look. It is a hard-wearing, scratch resistant, lower maintenance paver, designed to mimic the look of natural stone with its unique qualities offering a wide variation in colour. The pavers are available in 800x400mm single sized pavers in Buff Blend and Grey Blend finishes. Bradstone also offers a 10mm version to allow you to use this paving indoors.
To find out more about Bradstone, visit bradstone.com
