There are various options in terms of paving materials, which is undeniably great. However, it can also be a bit overwhelming because it can be pretty difficult to select solely one. When people struggle with this decision, they usually opt for the safest bet, which is a porcelain paver.
Why is that? Well, that’s because it is very visually appealing, durable, and isn’t too demanding as far as maintenance is concerned. Sounds great, right? But even in these instances, you still need to consider several elements if you want to be sure you’ve picked the right ones.
But don’t worry! This little helper that’s here in the form of this article is going to provide you with some guidelines that will lead you to the perfect porcelain pavers, so let’s show them to you right now!
Choose A Material That’s Durable
Durability is one of those factors that must always be prioritized when picking paving materials. Thankfully, porcelain pavers are renowned for it, which is one of the biggest reasons why they are so commonly leveraged for both commercial and residential projects.
Apart from that, they are very compact and dense, and that’s all because they are made under massive pressure and high temperatures. Because of all this, you end up having a material that’s extremely resilient and that can easily withstand heavy loads without being damaged, making it the right pavers for outdoor use, particularly in high-traffic areas. Due to their high density, they are capable of “surviving” even the toughest conditions, which means that they are going to serve you in the long run.
Another thing that’s worth mentioning is the fact that porcelain pavers are non-porous, too, meaning that they do not absorb water. Precisely, this trait will prevent problems like freeze-thaw damage, which can frequently be seen among porous materials.
Are You Looking For A Polished, Matte, Or Textured Finish?
What you’ll end up choosing ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs and the look you generally want to accomplish. Polished finishes have a very shiny surface and are pretty resistant but can also be quite slippery.
In contrast, matte finishes aren’t as reflective as polished finishes, but they are very smooth. If you’re looking for something that isn’t as demanding in terms of maintenance, then polished finishes are a better option.
When it comes to textured finishes, they are generally very durable and resilient, however, they are most difficult to maintain in comparison to the other ones.
Don’t Forget To Determine The Budget
Just like any other purchase, this one requires a certain amount of money as well! Today, you can come across all kinds of porcelain pavers as far as the price goes. The ones that are first-class and that come with a complex design are usually pricier.
Speaking of the price, outdoor tiles are costlier than indoor tiles. For the time being, they can cost somewhere between $3 to $35 per square foot, which means that, for example, you’ll need anywhere from $900 to $10,500 for a 300-square-foot patio.
To some of you, this may seem like a substantial investment, but keep in mind that cheaper porcelain tiles are more susceptible to cracking, meaning that you’ll be forced to replace them pretty frequently, making them a much bigger investment in the long run.
You Need To Get Rid Of Dirt
Now that you have an idea of what you’re supposed to focus on when it comes to porcelain pavers, it’s time to discuss some strategies that are going to help you properly maintain them. The reality is that both debris and dirt are inevitable, especially in high-traffic areas.
But just because that’s the case, it doesn’t mean that you should allow them to “take over” your pavers. Instead, you should ensure they are cleaned on a regular basis to prevent wear and tear.
If you are irresponsible as far as this is concerned, then you’re going to drastically decrease the life of your porcelain tiles. So what is the most effective method when it comes to this? Be sure to utilize a brush or a bristle broom.
Just make sure to steer clear of any scrubbers that are generally very rough because they can easily damage the surface of your porcelain pavers. In addition, from time to time, it would be wise to apply some water and detergent (that’s not too aggressive) to eliminate any spills and dirt.
You should thoroughly rinse this region with clean water and make sure it’s fully dried before you proceed with other maintenance strategies.
A Cleaner Must Be Intended For This Type Of Paving
Porcelain tiles have an extremely glazed surface, which means that they are very resistant to stains and have low water absorption. So what does it mean? It means that by virtue of these traits, it will be pretty difficult to stain the tile; however, if something like this occurs, you need to clean it only with a cleaner intended for this material.
Bear in mind that you should never resort to cleaning products that are high in Hydrofluoric Acid because they are very detrimental to the tile. Instead, it would be much better if you turned to cleaning products that are actually intended for the porcelain pavers.
They are going to help you completely eliminate the dirt that has piled up without damaging your porcelain pavers.
Don’t Forget The Weeds
Even though you probably won’t have a lot of problems with the weed since it doesn’t “inhabit” porcelain tiles as some other things, keep in mind that there are still some areas, like the ones that are too humid, that may deal with exponential weed growth.
Therefore, if by any chance you notice weeds pop up, or anything similar to it, then be sure to employ some chemical weed deterrent to prevent its recurrence. Another thing that you can use for these purposes is a mild herbicide.
As you can see, porcelain pavers are generally very practical because they do not require too much time or money to keep them in excellent condition. We truly hope that this guide will not only help you choose the right ones but take care of them too!
