We don’t deny that stone pavers are gorgeous and add a luxurious look to outdoor spaces. However, as an alternative to natural stone and concrete pavers, porcelain pavers offer several advantages, making them a preferred choice for many outdoor applications, especially in commercial applications. Though porcelain tile options have long been available for outdoor use, these extra-thick (20mm), high-tech pavers are made from the highest-grade porcelain. They are specifically designed for easy installation over a multitude of substrates, including grass, sand, gravel, and standard mortar installations. Their precision sizing and uniformity make for easier and faster installation, plus they may be lighter in weight compared to natural stone. It’s not surprising porcelain pavers are often the preferred choice for commercial outdoor applications.
In addition to the easy and flexible installation, porcelain pavers are incredibly durable and easy to maintain. Here’s a look at why many architects and designers choose porcelain pavers over natural stone or concrete.
Maintainance & Durability
- They maintain their appearance over a longer period, even in harsh weather conditions, thanks to their low porosity and high density.
- The color will not fade in harsh sunlight or the most abusive weather.
- The very dense surface allows for minimal moisture absorption, making them 100% frost-resistant (they won’t freeze and crack in very cold weather).
- They are impermeable, which means that de-icing salts can be used without damaging them.
- They do not require sealing and are naturally resistant to stains, mold, mildew, and the growth of moss.
- Porcelain pavers are extremely easy to clean with just soap and water and, if necessary, low-pressure washing systems.
- Unlike concrete and stone, porcelain pavers have no efflorescence (a crystalline deposit of salts often seen on the surface that occurs when water leaves behind salt deposits).
Aesthetic Flexibility
Porcelain pavers come in a wide variety of designs and can accurately mimic the look of natural stone, wood, and other materials. They offer consistent color and pattern, which is difficult to achieve with natural stone due to its inherent variances.
Safety
Porcelain Pavers also have enhanced traction for better slip-resistance, an important safety feature in outdoor environments, and even more so when it comes to areas prone to slipperiness, such as walkways near irrigation systems and swimming pool patios. Many natural stones won’t be slip-resistant unless a special finish is applied as a separate step after installation.
Environmental Impact
Porcelain pavers are more environmentally friendly. Porcelain is made from natural clay, water, and other minerals, and the pavers are produced in a sustainable manner. Porcelain can be recycled, minimizing the pavers’ ecological footprint compared to much natural stone, which must be quarried, creating a significant negative ecological impact in the form of habitat destruction, air and water pollution, soil erosion, and more).
Cost-Effectiveness
Although the initial cost of porcelain pavers might be higher, their durability and low maintenance requirements can make them more cost-effective in the long run. They are less likely to need replacement or repair, which saves money over time. That said, porcelain pavers have become more affordable in recent years and are sometimes less expensive than natural stones.
GIO is proud to offer two beautiful lines of the highest quality porcelain pavers that are designed to withstand the most challenging of commercial environments.
JURA Porcelain Tile & Pavers
Jura offers rich, neutral, and light organic tones blended with fossils and shells in a timeless limestone interpretation. The line offers matching porcelain 20mm pavers in 24 x 24 and 24 x48 for designs that blend seamlessly indoors and outdoors.
Pavers
Natural stone looks in our large-format Pavers collection include Concrete, Vein Cut Travertine, Quartzite, Cross Cut Travertine, Stone, Wood, and Limestone. Many of the tiles are appropriate for indoor use as well — perfect for seamless indoor-outdoor transitions!
Concrete
Our concrete paver lookalikes are available in seven looks in 24 x 24 and 24 x 48 and include a textured option (some rectified).
Download the Concrete swatches.
Vein-Cut Travertine
These vein-cut travertine porcelain pavers come in two hues, 24 x24 and 24 x 48, all rectified.
Download the Vein Cut Travertine swatches.
Quartzite
The quartzite-look porcelain pavers are available in three colorways, 24 x 24 rectified.
Download the Quartzite swatches.
Cross Cut Travertine
The cross-cut travertine look pavers come in 4 colorways, 24 x 24 rectified.
Download the Crosscut Travertine swatches here.
Stone
Our stone paver lookalikes are available in six looks (including two cool versions of Pennsylvania Bluestone) in 24 x 24, 12 x 48, and 24 x 48 (some rectified).
Wood Looks
The wood looks are available in a range of six hues, 12 x 48 and 24 x 48, all rectified.
Download the Wood swatches here.
Limestone
And last but certainly not least, our limestone look pavers come in 3 hues, 24 x 24 and 24 x 48, rectified or pressed.
Download the Limestone swatches here.
Special Accessories
Special accessories for our porcelain pavers include coping/stair treads, coping/stair tread corners, grip stair treads, pool grids, and pool grid corners. Pedestal supports for raised laying are available at multiple heights (raised laying facilitates ease of care and maintenance for wiring and piping systems).
Questions About Porcelain Pavers?
Reach out to us anytime — we’re here for you!
