If you are considering a paver for your home, the two that will come up most frequently are either concrete or porcelain pavers.
Whether you’re paving a driveway or a patio, they are both excellent choices. However, it’s imperative that you are aware of their differences and take these into account when making your final decision.
So if you are choosing between concrete and porcelain pavers and would like to make the right choice for your project, this quick guide will help you better understand both of their potential advantages and drawbacks.
LIMITATIONS OF CONCRETE PAVERS
As with any paving option, concrete pavers come with their own potential limitations, including:
Fading
Concrete pavers are manufactured with colour pigments. As such, the colour may fade a little over time, especially if the pavers are installed under direct sunlight.
Erosion
While concrete pavers are typically unaffected by the chipping and cracking that is often associated with other paver options, like most materials, they can gradually erode. With time and general wear and tear, the smooth finish can wear away completely and expose the composite material underneath.
Longevity
We have mentioned earlier that concrete pavers are ideal for colder climates due to their durability and strength. However, as mentioned in the previous point, they can erode over time and as such, if you are looking for an even more durable stone paver, you may find that natural stone or porcelain pavers have better longevity. Again, this largely depends on your project and where you will be installing the paver.
Sealing and Installation
Concrete pavers require good sealing and it’s recommended to re-apply it over the paver’s lifespan. In this regard, you might consider that the pavers require a bit more time for maintenance and upkeep.
Now that we have detailed the advantages and limitations of concrete pavers, let’s review the advantages and limitations of porcelain pavers.
ADVANTAGES OF PORCELAIN PAVERS
If you are looking for a ‘natural stone look’ paver without the price-tag of natural stone, or because you are installing the paver near water and want to use a more suitable material, porcelain pavers are an ideal choice for your project.
Structural porcelain is a type of ceramic that is manufactured into a paver. As such, it can be stronger and tougher than other paving options. It’s other advantages include:
Strong Aesthetic Appeal
One of the leading benefits of porcelain pavers is its aesthetic appeal. Manufactured from high-quality materials, porcelain pavers are luxurious and alluring when installed around your home. Their design resembles natural stone, so if you prefer this aesthetic, you may want to consider porcelain pavers for your project.
Variety of Options
Porcelain pavers are made from clay. As such, they are available in a vast variety of colours and prints. For example, our selection of porcelain structural pavers is available in over 50 different prints and 10 different stone-looks. Thus, you can have the beauty of natural stone, and thanks to it being a man-made material, you have an additional bonus of easy upkeep and maintenance.
Durability
Porcelain is one of the toughest flooring pavers available on the market. It’s resistant to most heavy impact, making it suitable for high-traffic areas and even industrial sites that use heavy equipment.
Moisture Resistant
Porcelain pavers perform better than most other paving options when exposed to moisture. As porcelain pavers are more dense and less porous than natural stone pavers, their composition makes it nearly impossible for moisture to seep through them. This is why porcelain pavers are an ideal solution for pool surroundings and colder climates that experience heavy rainfall or snow.
Stain Resistance
Porcelain is naturally a stain resistant material, and even more so when it has a glazed finish. Since it’s also less porous than other materials, it is very easy to wipe off stains or spillages. Porcelain pavers can also be kept clean with harsher cleaning products, like acid, which would otherwise damage natural stone pavers.
Fireproofing
We mentioned earlier that porcelain pavers are made from clay. As a result, porcelain pavers are extremely heat resistant. They simply don’t catch on fire and can help limit the spread of fire if one does break out. Living in Australia where we are constantly subject to bushfires, this is an extremely advantageous quality in a paver for your home, especially outdoors.
Long Lifespan & Longevity
If properly installed and maintained, porcelain pavers can last decades. You will save time and money on replacing pavers and renovating.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PAVER FOR YOU
Now that you fully understand the advantages and limitations of both concrete pavers and porcelain pavers, you can see how concrete pavers are now being lessed used and porcelain pavers are preferable for projects where you want to prioritise longevity and aesthetic appeal.
Italian Pavers and Outdoor Living are the US leading Porcelain Suppliers and have disrupted the Paver industry by democratizing pavers in not just Porcelain but also in natural stone.
If you need any help making the best choice for your project, contact us today for more information.
Or, if you’ve already decided which paver you want to install, browse our range of high-quality pavers on the site and we can direct you to how to purchase.