Porcelain is made by heating clay type materials at extremely high temperatures. It includes clay in the form of kaolinite. The raw materials for porcelain are mixed with water and form a paste. The paste is worked to a required shape before firing in a kiln.
In the Geology of natural stone there are three major rock groups, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.
Both limestone and sandstone are members of the sedimentary rock group. Sedimentary rock is formed from materials that have settled at the bottom of a body of water or been deposited in a desert environment and have then been compressed over millions of years, creating a layered stone. The sediment comes from eroded rocks carried there by rivers.
Granite is part of the igneous rock group. Igneous rocks are formed by molten magma from within the earth. When magma erupts, it cools and solidifies to form volcanic rocks.
Porcelain tiles are low maintenance and do not need to be sealed. Natural stone paving slabs need after-care and we would recommend our natural stone to be sealed with specialist products immediately after installation and at regular 12 month intervals protect the stone. The best option to clean your stone is to brush it quite regularly.
We also suggest that you use a soap with a neutral ph and rinse with water to finish. Power washing can also be used but be careful to avoid spraying water directly into the grout or jointing material. We recommend that you test your cleaning product on your natural stone patio on a small area of your paving first to make sure you are happy with the result before you commit to cleaning the whole area.
If you decide to go with paving slabs for your patio, or driveway, we have a huge selection with various colours and sizes that can suit any outdoor setting.
If you decide to go for 20mm outdoor porcelain, our range has a wide range of colours and designs. They include; light grey, beige, cream to black or grey. Our range also includes a very popular wood effect option. All of our outdoor 20mm porcelain range contains an R11 anti-slip rating. Which is a heavy duty slip-resistance that is suitable for commercial and residential applications.
In terms of thickness all of our outdoor porcelain is 20mm thick which is the perfect depth to create a long-lasting patio which will perform very well and last for years. 20mm porcelain is also the perfect material for driveways.
Our sandstone paving slabs are ethically sourced in India and we have a broad selection of different products including Camel Dust sandstone slabs, Mint Sandstone paving slabs and Kandla Grey sandstone paving slabs.
Our limestone finishes are available in four different colours and three sizes. This hard wearing material comes in a fantastic mix of colours including; Black Limestone Paving, Kota Green, Kota Grey, Kilkenny Blue (only available in 600×300) and Kota Yellow. The available sizes are 600×300, 600×600 and 600x900mm, we can supply these materials in single sizes or any size combination to make up a pattern. Limestone paving is perfect for the Irish climate as it is non-porous and has great anti-slip properties.
Lastly, we also have Granite paving which is a classic paving option that is very popular with our customers. We have two colours to pick from, silver granite and the more colourful, Yellow Granite. Our granite paving is available in bush-hammered and flamed finish that has natural anti-slip properties that thrives in the ever-changing Irish weather! Also, our silver granite paving is available in a polished finish, this material can give any indoor space a very classy and decadent look.
20mm Porcelain is generally more expensive than natural stone due to its supercharged characteristics. However, the natural options have their own inherent qualities that make them superb paving options. Both can withstand the Irish climate, though it should be noted that we recommend our natural stone paving is sealed and cared for to keep it looking as it should and helping it withstand the weather over time.
Natural stone paving can be used to create outdoor features such as patio, steps, porch, gardens or driveways. It is worth noting, that some of some of our outdoor porcelain tiles have matching indoor tiles, so you can create all of a seamless transition between your outdoor and indoor living space.
