Curved porcelain terrace
Grey porcelain with a contrasting sett border.
Get a quote about curved porcelain terracePN Landscapes installs outdoor porcelain patios in Uckfield using a compacted sub-base, a bonding primer on the back of every slab, a full wet mortar bed and exterior grout, which is the method vitrified porcelain needs to stay bonded.
Outdoor porcelain is one of the best patio surfaces you can buy, but only when it is laid properly. Because it absorbs almost no water, it cannot be laid the way sandstone traditionally was. On ordinary sand and cement without a primer, porcelain slabs can de-bond after a winter or two and start to rock.
We lay porcelain patios around Uckfield using materials from our sister yard, PN Paving Supplies. This page sets out exactly how we do it, so you can compare our method with any other quote.
Why porcelain needs a different laying method
Outdoor porcelain paving is vitrified: fired at very high temperature until it is almost glass-like, with water absorption of 0.5% or less. That is what makes it frost-proof, stain-resistant and easy to keep clean. It also means mortar cannot soak into the back of the slab and grip it the way it grips natural stone.
The fix is simple but often skipped. The back of every slab needs a bonding primer, a slurry that sticks to both the porcelain and the mortar bed, and the slab needs full contact with the bed, with no hollow spots. Cutting corners on either step is the most common reason porcelain patios fail.
Our porcelain installation method
Excavation and sub-base
We dig out to suit the ground and compact an MOT Type 1 sub-base, deeper on the soft clay found in many Uckfield gardens, with a geotextile on very wet ground.
Levels and falls
A fall of roughly 1 in 60 to 1 in 80 away from the house, finishing at least 150mm below the damp-proof course.
Prime every slab
A bonding slurry is brushed over the whole back of each slab immediately before it is laid.
Full wet mortar bed
Each slab is laid on a continuous bed. Porcelain is thin and rigid, so a hollow corner is where it will crack.
Consistent joints
Spacers keep joints even, typically 3mm to 5mm, so the grid stays true over large areas.
Grout
Joints are filled with an exterior grout or resin jointing compound made for porcelain, then the surface is cleaned off.
Porcelain compared with natural stone
| Outdoor porcelain | Indian sandstone | |
|---|---|---|
| Water absorption | Very low (0.5% or less) | Porous; varies by stone |
| Maintenance | Wash down; no sealing needed | Occasional clean; sealing helps in shade |
| Colour | Consistent and fade-resistant | Natural variation; weathers over time |
| Slip resistance | Choose an outdoor R11-rated range | Riven surface gives natural grip |
| Cutting and laying | Needs diamond blades, primer and full bed | More forgiving to cut and lay |
| Look | Crisp, contemporary | Traditional, textured |
Recent porcelain patios
Cream porcelain with pergola
Pale large-format slabs outside French doors.
Get a quote about cream porcelain with pergola
Split-level porcelain
Stepped terrace wrapping a modern extension.
Get a quote about split-level porcelainQuestions we are asked
Porcelain patio FAQs
How thick should outdoor porcelain paving be?
Outdoor porcelain paving is normally 20mm thick. Thinner indoor tiles are not suitable for laying on a mortar bed outside.
Is porcelain paving slippery when wet?
Not if you choose an outdoor range. Look for an R11 slip rating, which is designed for external use and around pools.
Why do porcelain slabs come loose?
Almost always because they were laid without a bonding primer or on dabs of mortar instead of a full bed. The slab never bonds properly and frost and foot traffic do the rest.
Does porcelain paving need sealing?
No. Porcelain is effectively non-porous, so it does not need sealing. A wash with a hose or pressure washer on a low setting keeps it clean.
Can I see porcelain before I choose?
Yes. PN Paving Supplies has porcelain laid out at full size near Uckfield, so you can compare colours and finishes in daylight.
PN Landscapes
Get a quote for a porcelain patio
We will visit, measure and send a written quote that sets out the laying method line by line.
Phone: 01825 733317
Email: info@pnlandscapes.co.uk
Address: Flitteridge Farm, Daleham Lane, Splaynes Green, Uckfield TN22 3TQ
Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 8am–1pm
Paving and stone: visit PN Paving Supplies, our sister company on the same site.