Patios & Paving · 5 min read
Porcelain vs natural stone paving
Both are excellent. They suit different properties, different budgets and different appetites for maintenance.
Porcelain
- Dense and virtually non-porous, so it resists staining and algae
- Colour-stable and consistent slab to slab
- Requires priming on the underside and a full mortar bed
- Higher material cost, lower long-term maintenance
- Suits contemporary properties, extensions and large glazed openings
Natural stone
- Warm, varied and characterful — no two slabs identical
- Porous, so it weathers and benefits from sealing
- More forgiving to cut and lay around irregular shapes
- Lower material cost, more cleaning over the years
- Suits period properties, cottages and traditional gardens
Slip resistance
Both are available with rated slip resistance. Porcelain intended for outdoor use is textured; smooth indoor porcelain must never be used outside. Natural stone's texture varies with the finish — riven sandstone grips well, honed limestone less so.
How to choose
Look at the house first. A Victorian property with brick detailing usually looks better with sandstone; a rendered extension with bifold doors usually looks better with large-format porcelain. We bring samples to the survey so you can see them against the building.