Porcelain Paving: 4 Advantages and Disadvantages

If you searched porcelain paving on Google, you must have come here for one of two reasons, either you are looking to buy a good product or you need to see the technical aspect of it.

Regardless of what your reason is, we hope you find what you're looking for here.

There are several different pavement options when it comes to buildings and porcelain is a significantly popular one. 

However, it has its own advantages and disadvantages. To make a decision, you must look at both.

Advantages

There are several notable strengths of getting a porcelain paving which are often the cause of its popularity. These include its high durability, low maintenance, the increased safety it provides and its aesthetic appeal.

High Durability and Longevity 

One of the greatest advantages of porcelain paving is its high durability and longevity. 

Porcelain paving is among the longest lasting pavement materials and with proper installation and bedding, it can last up to 60 years, which is almost as long as the human lifetime!

Since porcelain is made of natural clay and additives and it is kiln-fired to up to 760°C, it has an incredibly durable material. It also has low water absorption which makes it less susceptible to deterioration as compared to concrete and other pavement types.

Porcelain paving is also resistant to discoloration and breakage, making it a better choice than other pavement options that can wear and tear easily.

Additionally, porcelain’s hard surface makes it difficult to scratch and chip away, ensuring it is long lasting and increasing its durability.

Low Maintenance

The high durability of porcelain paving is made sweeter by the fact that maintaining it is a piece of cake.

When it comes to upkeep and cleanliness of porcelain pavement, you will find your efforts and time are significantly reduced in comparison to other pavement styles. 

The vitrification process of porcelain slabs reduces their porosity which helps a great deal when it comes to stubborn stains. This is a huge advantage in the cleaning process.

The porcelain paving is also resistant to the growth of mildew and common household spills ruining the pavement is no longer a concern with this material. 

Hence, methods like sealing which are required by other paveing e.g. concrete and travertine become a thing of the past which saves maintenance cost and labour.

You can easily clean your porcelain paving with a pressure washer and ensure it maintains a clean outlook, which is a win-win.

Increased Safety 

Even when you are cleaning with a pressure washer, you don't need to worry about your paving becoming a safety risk because porcelain paving is slip resistant.

This quality is one of the reasons porcelain is a highly preferred material to use in areas where water overflow is a frequent occurrence, so if that sounds like you, porcelain paving is an excellent option.

The textured surfaces on the porcelain are designed with accident prevention in mind and engineered meticulously to ensure a safe walking space for you and your guests. 

Porcelain tiles are equipped with an enhanced grip that helps in addressing any security concerns. On top of that, this safety feature of porcelain paving extends beyond the wet area to any liable moisture that can be a potential danger. 

Greater Aesthetic Appeal

Not only is porcelain paving great at protecting you and easy to maintain it, it also looks amazing!

Porcelain paving offers a sleek and modern outlook to any area it is situated in because its aesthetic appeal lies in its ability to mimic any neighbouring materials with surprising agility.

No matter what you pair porcelain paving with, from the brown warmth of wooden tiles to the old school look of travertine, it matches seamlessly.

Porcelain paving also offers a consistency in colour and pattern which ensures that the entire area it covers features a harmonious outlook. This uniformity ensures finesse, helps in visual continuity and increases the overall aesthetic appearance of the space it possesses. 

Disadvantages

Regardless of the multitude of advantages porcelain paving possesses, it is not without its cons.

From high cost to difficult installation, there are several things that paint porcelain in a less fashionable light which you may want to consider before making a purchase.

High Cost 

The most important part of any purchase is the cost and when it comes to porcelain paving, that cost is not inexpensive.

While porcelain is easy to maintain and durable, many people are put off when it comes to the initial payment because there are several factors to consider.

Firstly, porcelain in itself has a higher cost per unit due to the manufacturing process and quality. Then, the installation cost of porcelain is also extensive because it requires professional handling and care.

In addition to this, porcelain paving also requires groundwork to prepare the area for installation to ensure the tiles work optimally and have a secure bedding.

Therefore, despite the several advantages porcelain paving has, the initial purchase is hefty enough for many to reconsider.

Difficult Installation 

Purchasing power, however, is not the only factor that puts people off initially. The installation process of porcelain paving is also laborious.

The process of installing porcelain paving demands far greater precision and expertise in comparison to traditional materials like concrete.

To ensure a smooth installation, and reduce the future cost of renovation and maintenance in case of a faulty one, the porcelain paving requires seasoned contractors well-equipped with the knowledge of handling the material. You need equipment like wet saws and diamond blades for porcelain which are hard to come by.

Porcelain is a material of unforgiving nature which makes it necessary to get the paving right at first try. This is unlike concrete paving or other traditional pavements that allow for imperfections to develop an ancient charm. You can't have imperfections in porcelain, it requires a flawless finish to look elegant.

This laborious process consumes time and money which makes porcelain more disadvantageous in comparison to other materials.

Decreased Natural Outlook

Speaking of a flawless finish, another disadvantage of porcelain is that it significantly lacks a natural outlook thow with modern technology this is now becoming possible.

Porcelain is a material that exudes modern elegance and while that may look good for some places, it does not suit people who desire a more rustic and messy charm.

While porcelain is great a mimicry and fitting in a variety of hard surfaces and textural differences, it has a stark difference when it comes to traditional surfaces like stone and wood, a trait which might not be preferable to many.

Despite technological advancement, porcelain cannot fully replicate the qualities of natural materials. This might reduce its charm for those who like a forestry charm and decrease porcelain's desirability, especially in spaces like gardens and farms.

Increased Brittleness

While it is more modern than many of its counterparts, porcelain is not without its brittleness. It is a hard material that can crack under pressure if not properly laid and supported which makes flaky installation a high risk.

This becomes significant when you consider the aftermath of cracking which includes repair and replacement costs.

Porcelain paving naturally minimises the need for these, however, if the necessity comes about, it becomes far more challenging than other materials. There are many reasons for this.

For starters, it is difficult to find and match a new piece into an existing installation because it demands a high level of precision and professionalism, since porcelain paving has high uniformity and commands exactitude to look presentable.

Even if you find a match, installing that into the old paving can be a daunting task and any mishaps can create more divisions.

Porcelain paving is tricky to lay down, which means a new tile must be properly compacted and of perfect length before it can be installed. The sand and gravel also need careful levelling to decrease future breakdowns.