When it comes to choosing your paving, it can be a little daunting as to which is best for you. Today we are going to break down the most commonly used paving and explain which would be best for your needs.
The three main types of paving materials to choose from are natural stone, concrete and porcelain.
Natural stone
It’s not surprising that natural stone is a popular choice of paving, especially as there is a wide variety of them available. Granite, limestone, slate and sandstone are some of the most commonly used ones.
If purchased through a well-respected supplier, your natural stone paving should be:
- 100% natural stone
- Responsibly sourced
- Strong and durable
We recommend that you thoroughly research the supplier in which you will be purchasing through as you really need these 3 fundamentals in place for your paving.
As the name suggests, natural stone is a natural product and therefore no two slabs will look exactly the same. Each tile will vary slightly in colour or texture making each one unique. This may or may not sound ideal for you, so it is something that should be taken into consideration if you are looking for a very clean and contemporary looking finish.
Each type of natural stone has a different level of strength and reliance, so this is also something you should take into consideration when making your choice. You may require one that is stronger if, for instance, your paving is going to be in an area with a large amount of footfall.
Finally, due to the quarrying and sealing process of natural stone, it is often a lot more expensive than other types of paving.
Concrete
Concrete is a man-made product that has been made to resemble natural stone. As it is man-made you can find a wide variety of concrete slabs available in a variety of colours, sizes and textures, dependant on what the concrete mix consists of.
Some brands may also add in natural stone to their mix to allow it to look more like a natural stone tile. They may also apply a protective seal to the tiles to help resist against staining and algae growth. If this has not been done, be sure to apply a protective seal yourself.
Although previously regarded by some as ‘the cheaper option’, concrete has become a very popular choice in recent years. It can be very effective in a wide variety of projects, especially so if you are looking for an industrial aesthetic. They are also especially a good choice for areas with high footfall.
Porcelain
Porcelain tiles are a fantastic choice as they are available in a wide variety of colours and styles. Even more so than natural tiles offering you a fantastic choice when it comes to deciding on the tiles for you.
They also tend to be much cheaper than natural stone and the maintenance on them is a lot easier too. This makes them ideal if you want to spend more time enjoying your paving and less time with the upkeep.
Due to the fact that they are a man-made product, each tile will be exactly the same. This is something that some will love as it will create a singular smooth and clean finish, where others may find it lacks character. It all comes down to personal opinion!
The installation of porcelain tiles is a lot easier and there is no need to seal them like you would with natural stone.
We have a wide variety of porcelain tiles available – including natural stone effect ones! This means you can have the look and feel of natural stone without the costly and timeconsuming upkeep.
Here are a few of our favourites:
Roxstones quartzite effect porcelain tiles
Our Quarts effect porcelain tile range Roxstones encompasses the natural beauty of quartzite combined with the versatility of porcelain tiles. The Roxstones porcelain tile range has a vast variety of options to allow you to meet the needs of any residential or commercial projects.
Tale Contro stone effect porcelain tiles
Tale is our travertine stone effect porcelain tile range. If you love the luxury and elegance of natural stone, Tale Contro porcelain tiles will allow creative freedom to make unique and original spaces in both residential and commercial projects.
Life wood effect porcelain tiles
Life wood effect porcelain tiles present natural tones and consistency that blend together to give your surroundings the feeling of the glow and wellbeing that wood gives; combining creativity and functional harmony. Available in 3 colours, Life tiles are suitable for use in a wide variety of spaces.
Built concrete effect porcelain tiles
The Built concrete effect porcelain collection has taken concrete a step further than being a building material; It gives the ability to be a decoration and construct the very latest in creative spaces. Concrete has taken the lead into the 21st century leaving a permanent impression on architecture.
This is just a small selection of our exterior tiles range. You can see our entire range here.
We hope you found this post helpful. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.