Choosing between natural stone and porcelain paving for your garden

When it comes to designing your dream garden, selecting the right paving material is crucial. Among the myriad of choices available, two popular options stand out: real stone and porcelain paving. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Let’s take a look at natural stone.

Real stone is by far our preferred paving material for our garden design projects. There are quarries around the world that can provide stone of different tones and qualities, but to create a terrace with the style and grace of a grand country home, we need look further than our own county. Some of the best stone around is quarried within forty miles of our studio. Indeed, if you walk the streets of central London chances are you will be walking on the finest yorkstone, quarried from these Pennine hills.

Real stone paving exudes a timeless charm and authenticity that is hard to replicate. Its natural variations in colour, texture, and pattern add character and depth to any outdoor space, lending it a unique and organic feel. It darkens when wet, and lightens when dry and develops a lovely patina over time.

Natural stone can be ‘finished’ in a variety of ways meaning it is very versatile in helping to achieve the design style to suit you and your garden. A sawn finish creates a smooth surface to the stone, which works well in bringing a more contemporary feel to the design, whereas a riven finish feels more rustic and creates a more informal and relaxed atmosphere in the garden. One of the great benefits of stone is creating an interesting but tonally cohesive scheme, through using the same material but with a mixture of finishes.

Choosing a locally sourced stone is the most sustainable paving option as it is sourced directly from the earth and requires minimal processing. When properly installed and maintained, stone paving will last for decades, if not centuries. It is resistant to wear and tear, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas such as paved terraces and pathways. Additionally, it can be reused, recycled or repurposed at the end of its lifespan, further reducing its environmental impact.

Whilst the cost of natural stone varies widely, good quality stone paving tends to be more expensive upfront compared to porcelain. The price can vary depending on the type of stone - its quality, and availability - making it a more significant investment for larger projects. Over its lifetime however, it works out cheaper.

If you’re looking for an immaculate paved terrace, that always looks like the day it was laid, real stone may not be right for you. To keep it looking like new, natural stone requires regular maintenance to preserve its appearance. There are environmentally friendly techniques to help you do that, but being a natural product means that it responds to the environment. Many paving stones are permeable, too, making the surface more susceptible to staining from spills, moisture, and organic debris. Sealing the stone can help mitigate this issue, but this is a topic of some debate, and not always advised.

 What about porcelain paving?

Porcelain paving tiles are made from a type of ceramic material that is fired at very high temperatures, resulting in a dense and durable product. These tiles are typically composed of a mixture of fine clay, minerals, and other natural materials, which are pressed into shape and then fired in kilns. The high firing temperatures make porcelain paving exceptionally strong, resistant to wear and tear, and impermeable. From an environmental point of view, porcelain has a far greater carbon footprint, due to the processes involved and the distance travelled.

Porcelain paving offers a wide range of colours, finishes, and sizes to suit various design preferences and applications, though porcelain will always give you a sleek, modern aesthetic.

While the manufacturers of porcelain paving often attempt to mimic the look of natural stone, we feel that few have succeeded in creating a tile that truly replicates the real thing. Part of this is due to its uniformity. Porcelain tiles are manufactured to precise specifications, ensuring each one is almost perfectly uniform in size, shape, and colour. This consistency can make installation easier and results in a more clinical, polished appearance that may suit your home and lifestyle.

One real benefit of choosing porcelain is that, unlike real stone, porcelain paving is non-porous and resistant to stains, scratches, and fading. This makes it lower maintenance, requiring only occasional cleaning with soap and water to keep it looking pristine. A quick blast from a pressure washer and it’s looking like new again.

There are lots of suppliers of cheap porcelain tiles to be found on the internet, but the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ really rings true here. If you feel that porcelain is right for you, look for a quality product with great consistency and finish.

In conclusion, both real stone and porcelain paving offer distinct advantages and drawbacks in garden design. Your decision should ultimately be guided by factors such as budget, aesthetic preferences, maintenance requirements, and the specific needs of your outdoor space. Whether you opt for the natural allure of real stone or the practicality of porcelain, investing in quality materials and professional installation will ensure a beautiful and functional garden for years to come.

If you’re wondering which is best for you, why not give us a call? We hold a great range of samples from quality suppliers in our materials ‘library’ in our studio, and can work with you to help make the right decision for your project.