If you’re looking to transform your outside space, extend your kitchen or dining area, or if you just want an easy-to-maintain garden -
porcelain paving will create the perfect area for entertaining, relaxing and alfresco dining.
More people are investing in this type of paving slab because of its exceptional strength - making it very hard wearing and long lasting.
Carry on reading for our step-by-step guide to laying outdoor porcelain tiles.

 

Why should you choose porcelain tiles? The key benefits:

• Scratch, stain and abrasion resistant

• Long lasting

• Absorption resistant

• Slip resistant (due to reduced moss growth)

• Fade resistant

• Highly resistant to heat, frost and cold temperatures

• Low maintenance and easy to clean

 

Let’s get started!

It’s a good idea to make sure you have all of the tools and materials you need before you get started - your local Travis Perkins branch will be able to give you some good advice if you need help. Here’s a list of suggested items:

 

Materials:

Paving Slabs  |  Sub base  |  Sand   |   Cement   |   Priming slurry

 

Tools: 

Tape measure   |   String line and stakes   |   Spade/shovel   |   Wheelbarrow   |   Rake   |   Trowel   |   Rubber mallet   |  
Spirit level   |   Cement mixer (optional)   |   Plate compactor (optional)/rammer  | Broom

 

 

You’ve got all of your materials and tools at the ready, now on with the dirty work:
 

1. Measure the length and width of the area you want to pave. Multiply your measurements together to give you your square meterage - this will give you a good indication of how many tiles you’ll need.
    
2. Mark out the patio area - you could use stakes and string.
    
3. Dig approx. 150mm-200mm deep in the area you’re laying your patio. It might be a good idea at this point to create a slight slope to allow for drainage.
    
4. Fill with a sub-base, such as gravel or sharp sand, 100mm-1500mm (depending on how deep you dug down) and evenly compress with a plate compactor or rammer to ensure there are no gaps and loose material.
    
5. Add a layer of mortar on top of your sub-base, approx 40mm-50mm. A suggested cement mix is 4 parts sand 1 part cement.
    
6. It’s recommended that a layer of priming slurry is used on top of the mortar. This is because porcelain tiles are low-porous and may not adhere to the mortar.  
    
7. Before laying your first tile coat the underside with the priming slurry, to aid adhesion. Then, starting from a corner, place the tile and use the rubber mallet so it’s fixed in place and check that it’s level. 
    
8. Once you’re happy the first tile is in place, continue laying the rest leaving a gap of approx. 3mm between each slab - use spacers if you need to. Make sure to clean up any excess mortar or slurry from the top of the tile as you go, so it doesn’t stick. 
    
9. Leave to set for a minimum of 24 hours.
    
10. You can fill in any gaps with the same mortar mix or you could use sand if you prefer. Press down with a trowel to pack down and sweep over with a broom any loose mix to refill and joints.
     
11. If you want a neat and tidy finish you can use a jointing compound to complete the job.

 

So, now you’re ready to start shopping for the perfect Porcelain Tiles and create a show-stopping garden feature!

 

Shop Porcelain Paving

​​Please note: this is a guide only, so please always read the manufacturer’s instructions first.