Porcelain has become one of the most popular patio choices, and it's easy to see why. It's hard-wearing, it resists stains, and it keeps its colour with very little upkeep. We lay porcelain patios for gardens all over Harpenden. We also work in nearby Wheathampstead, St Albans and Redbourn.
This page explains the styles, how porcelain is different to lay, how it compares with natural stone and how to look after it. When you're ready, we'll come out for a free site survey and give you a clear written quote. There's no deposit to pay.
Call 01582 932001, or call or WhatsApp 07747 430338, email hello@5stardrivewaysandpatios.co.uk, or get your free quote.
Why choose porcelain?
1. Low maintenance. A brush and a rinse is usually all it needs.
2. Stain resistant. Spills from barbecues, wine or plant pots wipe away far more easily than on natural stone.
3. Even colour. The slabs are made to match, for a clean, even look.
4. Hard-wearing. A dense, tough surface for busy family gardens.
5. Lots of styles. From natural stone effects to wood effects and plain, modern finishes.
Porcelain styles
1. Stone effect. The look of sandstone, slate or limestone, with the easy upkeep of porcelain.
2. Wood effect. Long planks that give the feel of decking without the maintenance.
3. Concrete-look and plain finishes. Clean, simple colours that suit modern homes.
4. Large slabs. Bigger slabs with fewer joints, for a sleek look.
Porcelain also comes in matching step treads and coping, so steps and raised edges can be finished in the same material.
Planning your porcelain patio
A few choices make a big difference to the finished look.
1. Slab size. Larger slabs suit bigger spaces and give fewer joints. Smaller slabs work better in tight or curved areas.
2. Joint colour. A matching joint gives a seamless look. A contrasting one picks out the pattern.
3. Inside and out. If your kitchen opens onto the garden, porcelain in a similar tone can make the two spaces feel like one.
4. Paths and steps. Matching paths and steps carry the look down the garden.
We'll talk these through with you on the survey.
Is porcelain slippery?
Outdoor porcelain is made with a textured surface to give grip, and the grip varies from range to range. Good drainage helps too, because water shouldn't sit on the surface.
Porcelain or natural stone?
Both make lovely patios. The right choice depends on your garden and how you use it.
1. Choose porcelain if you want low upkeep, even colour and easy cleaning.
2. Choose Indian sandstone or York stone if you love natural character, with each slab a little different, and don't mind a little more care.
Why porcelain is laid differently
Porcelain is much denser than natural stone, and it soaks up almost no water. That means ordinary mortar doesn't grip it in the same way, so it needs a laying method made for porcelain. It's also very hard to cut, so it needs the right tools for clean edges.
Drainage and levels
Porcelain doesn't soak up water, so getting the slope right is especially important. We lay your patio with a gentle slope away from the house, so rain runs off. Where the water has nowhere to go, we add drainage, such as a channel drain along the edge.
Most back garden patios at or near ground level don't need planning permission. A patio built up on a big bank or terrace might. Listed homes need consent for big works, and flats have different rules.
Steps, walls and raised patios
On a sloping garden, a porcelain patio can be raised, or set in tiers with steps between. We build retaining walls to hold the ground. We also build garden walls, including brickwork and pillars, to finish the edges.
What affects the cost of a porcelain patio?
We don't publish prices, because every garden is different. The main things that affect the cost are:
1. Size. The area of the patio.
2. Porcelain range. Different ranges and slab sizes vary.
3. Digging out. Removing turf, soil or an old patio.
4. Levels. Steps, raised areas and retaining walls.
5. Drainage. Any drains needed at the edges.
6. Access. How easily materials can reach the back garden.
7. Cutting and detail. Curves, borders and steps take longer.
Book a free site survey and we'll give you a clear written quote, with no obligation.
How we lay a porcelain patio
1. Survey. We visit, measure up and check the levels and drainage.
2. Written quote. A clear quote with everything set out. No deposit.
3. Digging out. We remove turf, soil or the old patio, and take it away.
4. Sub-base. We lay and compact a proper sub-base, so the patio stays level.
5. Levels and slope. We set the levels so water runs away from the house.
6. Laying. We lay each slab using a method made for porcelain.
7. Jointing. We fill the joints.
8. Clean-up and handover. We clear up and explain the aftercare.
Looking after a porcelain patio
1. Brush it regularly, to keep leaves and dirt off.
2. Wash it with warm, soapy water for most marks.
3. Rinse it after barbecues, and wipe up spills quickly.
4. Keep the joints clear of weeds and moss.
5. Most porcelain doesn't need sealing.
Our patio cleaning service can give it a deeper clean when it needs one.
Recent porcelain patios
See more in our photo gallery.
Questions about porcelain patios
Porcelain or Indian sandstone: which is better for my garden?
Porcelain is easier to keep clean and more even in colour. Sandstone has more natural character. We'll help you choose on the survey.
Is porcelain slippery when wet?
Outdoor porcelain has a textured surface for grip, and good drainage helps. The grip varies from range to range.
Does porcelain stain?
It resists stains very well. Most marks come off with warm, soapy water.
Why is porcelain laid differently from natural stone?
It's denser and soaks up almost no water, so ordinary mortar doesn't grip it in the same way. It needs a laying method made for porcelain.
How do you stop water pooling on a porcelain patio?
We lay it with a gentle slope away from the house, and add drainage where it's needed.
How do I clean a porcelain patio?
Brush it, then wash it with warm, soapy water. A gentle jet wash is fine too.
Is a porcelain patio covered by the 10-year guarantee?
Yes. Our 10-year guarantee covers our driveways, patios and walls. The details are set out with your written quote.
Areas we cover
We lay porcelain patios in Harpenden and 23 nearby towns. See our areas page or our Harpenden patios page.
Get your free quote
Tell us a little about the job and we'll arrange a free site survey and a clear written quote. There's no deposit to pay and no obligation.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 01582 932001, or call or WhatsApp 07747 430338. You're welcome to send photos of your driveway or garden on WhatsApp first.