Landscape & Urban Design Issue 42 2020 | Page 42

CONCRETE & STONEWORK PORCELAIN: THE ULTIMATE OUTDOOR FLOOR COVERING Katy Harris, Marketing Director at Verona discusses the benefits of using porcelain outdoors, and explores inspirational ways to use the material in your next project. Outdoor spaces are incredibly versatile, and can be creatively transformed in so many different ways. No matter the size or space of a garden, homeowners are investing time and money into creating something functional and style-led. Whether it’s an entertaining space with a fire pit, beautiful blooms to establish corners and borders or an outdoor living space with furniture around a focal point, the possibilities are endless. 42 www.landud.co.uk The use of 20mm thick outdoor porcelain is growing in popularity and features a wide range of features and benefits that tackle many issues associated with natural stone paving and timber decking. Versatile and functional, 20mm porcelain tiles deliver a hard-wearing floor covering. Fade resistant even in strong sunlight, the porcelain will retain its good looks for years to come, with no special maintenance needed. Simply clean with a brush and warm soapy water or porcelain cleaner on a regular basis. Natural stone has the ability to absorb water, expand and crack, so to prevent this regular sealing is required. When it comes to 20mm porcelain, the material is frost- proof and doesn’t require the extra maintenance of sealing. Natural stone paving can also feature a riven or textured surface and each paving slab can vary in thickness. This adds character to floors, but with this comes an uneven surface, which can be unsafe in busy family areas. Porcelain is created to be even and perfectly flat, providing a safe and durable surface covering. Each tile is manufactured to tight tolerances ensuring an even thickness and level surface for a secure surface underfoot. Follow us @ludmagazine