Adding a patio to your garden is a great way to add more usable space. Nowadays, there are so many different paving options on the market it can be difficult to know what to choose. Is ceramic better than brick? Will concrete last longer than limestone? There are so many questions you need to answer before you get to work on your new patio. 

If you're asking yourself the question - "should I use porcelain pavers for my patio" then this blog is perfect for you. We're going to take a look at the ways that porcelain paving is superior to other types of stone so that you can make an educated decision on whether porcelain paving is right for you!

Durable

One of the main reasons that porcelain paving is a great choice for your patio is because it's much more durable than other forms of natural stone. The porcelain paving we offer from PrimaPorcelain is vitrified at a very high temperature. This causes the elements inside the tiles to turn into a strong, glass-like substrate which offers numerous benefits. Firstly, the tiles waterproof without needing a glaze, secondly the tiles resistant to scuffs and chips regardless of heavy footfall and thirdly, the vitrification process extends the tiles' life expectancy. 

The durability of porcelain pavers means they're perfect for patios in busy family homes. Even if there are children and pets running around, spilling drinks and spreading dirt, your porcelain tiles will stand up to the challenges boldly and will come out the other side unscathed.

Low-Maintenance

Nowadays, homeowners don't have very much free time on their hands. Between the 9-5 job, the school run and the precious moments of 'me time' there isn't much time left over for garden maintenance. With limited free time, you might be looking for garden features that require as little upkeep as possible.

If you want to create a stress-free, low-maintenance garden then porcelain pavers are ideal. All they need is a quick wipe over to remove surface dirt. Their impermeable surface means they won't become stained even if you spill red wine during your next garden party!

Beautifully Designed

Whether you're creating a simple and contemporary garden or something more traditional and rustic, there's a range of porcelain paving that'll suit your needs. If you're looking for something that looks like natural stone, we can cater for that! We offer porcelain paving in the style of sandstone, slate and limestone, meaning you can achieve a natural appearance while still benefitting from porcelain paving's many advantages. 

For something a little more unique, we also offer porcelain paving with a real-wood effect. This means you can create a patio that's durable, easy to maintain and incredibly stylish too. Just take a look at the beautiful rooftop veranda (above) created using PrimaPorcelain's Forest Oak paving! The wood grain works perfectly in this setting but won't require the same level of maintenance as a typical wooden deck.

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Hopefully you can see why porcelain paving is a great choice for any patio. With excellent durability, minimal maintenance and some gorgeous designs you can create a porcelain paver patio that suits your home perfectly.

Now that Halloween is over, that time of year is fast approaching. No, not the C-word, but bonfire night! One of the few nights of the year where fireworks brighten up the night sky with beautiful shapes and colours and where family and friends gather to create huge, blazing bonfires, but are they legal and are you allowed to have a bonfire in your garden? 

With a lot of rules and guidelines in place at the moment due to COVID-19, it can be quite difficult to follow exactly what you can and can't do in regards to having a bonfire in your garden. So, to make things a little clearer, we have outlined what you can do in this blog post. Read on to find out more!

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We're living through a pandemic that's creating a lot of new pressures - particularly when it comes to mental health. People aren't used to being so isolated, and it's causing a huge spike in feelings of depression and anxiety. Alongside the pandemic, we're seeing shorter days, bad weather and cold temperatures creeping in, all of which can negatively affect people's mental health. So what can you do if you're feeling low?

If you're feeling particularly down while you're stuck in isolation, there are things you can do. These small changes can help to improve your mood and mental health.

• Have a good routine in place
• Take time for self-care
• Set yourself small, achievable goals

As a company that specialises in home and garden renovations, we know the impact that an attractive, clean and functional space can have on mental health. One of the most attractive parts of our job is knowing that people are making a positive difference in their living space when they purchase our products. Today, we want to take a closer look at the effects of gardening on mental health to show you why it's important that you get outside in nature whenever you (safely) can.

The science behind seeing green

A particular study from Growing Health, a national scheme set up by the charity Garden Organic and the membership organisation Sustain, found that spending time in any natural green space, such as your garden, can help you to relax and reduce stress levels. 

We're sure you already know that regular exercise can help you maintain better mental health. Getting out in the garden to mow the lawn, pull up weeds or play with the dog can provide you with a burst of endorphins that will instantly improve your mood. 

Bringing the garden inside

If you're isolating at home or if you're experiencing a terrible bout of wet/cold weather, then you might want to consider bringing some plants and flowers inside. Creating a green space in a conservatory (or any room in the house) can instantly lift your mood and make you feel a little more in touch with nature. 

Succulents are a great choice if you want a low maintenance green space that won't take up a ton of your time! These are available in most garden centres and supermarkets and they make great gifts for people who are feeling a little down at the moment.

Low maintenance home and garden

A great way to improve your mental health is to limit the number of stressful tasks you have to do around your home. We all know that getting motivated to clean the house can be difficult at the best of times, but doing it when you're having a particularly bad day mental health-wise can be almost impossible. 

Here at AlfrescoPlus, we offer a selection of home improvement products such as composite decking and porcelain paving, which are designed to require a very small amount of maintenance. We pride ourselves on helping people create low-maintenance, stress-free homes so that they have more time for enjoyable activities. 

READ MORE: Create a Low-Maintenance Garden with AlfrescoPlus

World Mental Health Day

World mental health day is just around the corner (10th October 2020) and we feel like this year it's going to be more prominent than ever. We really wanted to offer some help and advice for people struggling with mental health at this time of year, and we hope that this blog has inspired you to reduce your stress and get outside! 

If you have any questions about our products, don't hesitate to get in touch -  0800 028 8756. We can advise you on the best low-maintenance products for your home.

Here at AlfrescoPlus, we offer a range of capped composite decking boards that require almost no maintenance and are very easy to clean.

Pictured: EasyClean Reserve Dark Roast Composite Decking

These high-quality deck boards are 'capped' with a protective polymer sleeve that keeps out moisture. This ensures that your deck will not be damaged by the rain, plus it means that any spills can be wiped clean with ease.

Pictured: EasyClean Edge+ Sea Salt Grey Composite Decking

Our easy clean decking range includes a variety of different colours and styles. Do you want a contemporary grey deck? Try EasyClean Edge+ Sea Salt Grey. Or perhaps your tastes are a little more traditional - in which case you'll love our EasyClean Edge+ Oak decking boards.

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All of our decking products are low maintenance and slip resistant, with outstanding lifespans. AlfrescoPlus composite decking is also environmentally friendly - learn more here.

Porcelain tiles are a fantastic flooring option for homeowners due to their incredible resilience and hard-wearing properties. Manufactured with different materials to regular ceramic tiles such as sand and feldspar, porcelain products are a far denser, stronger material that absorbs less moisture. This offers a stylish flooring product that not only resists stains, fades and scratches but is also far easier to maintain, meaning more time can be spent enjoying and showing off your floor rather than cleaning it.

However, despite less effort required to maintain porcelain paving, there are still a few important things you need to remember to ensure your porcelain paving is cleaned in the correct way. Here we take a look at five things you should know to clean your porcelain paving. 

 Pictured: Cotswold Ivory Paving

Sweep/Vacuum Dust & Dirt Away 

When first attempting to clean your porcelain paving, you should aim to remove any dust or dirt that may have gathered. You can do this easily by using a vacuum cleaner or by simply sweeping it up. A dry mop is a perfect thing to use to sweep up rather than a broom as this will provide a far better day-to-day protection for the surface of the tile.

Stay Clear of Chemical Cleaners Containing Ammonia, Bleach or Acids 

For regular cleaning of your porcelain paving, it is important to avoid using chemical cleaners that contain the above ingredients. During the manufacturing process, porcelain paving is heated up to fuse its unique materials together, resulting in water-resistant properties that are similar to glass. As a result of the regular use of corrosive chemicals, the surface of porcelain paving can become eroded, leading to increases in water absorption. Corrosive chemicals can also result in the grout laid between each tile eroding, which will loosen the tiles and allow water to get beneath your tiles which creates dampness. For daily cleaning of your porcelain tiles, you can simply use warm water and a mop! If your floor requires a slightly deeper clean, however, you can use a mild detergent mixed with warm water. This will help to remove any stubborn stains that your floor may have.

Wash Away Detergents 

When deciding to use a detergent, it's important to make sure that it is of a low concentration. Textured porcelain tiles may need a slightly greater concentration than other tiles to ensure an adequate clean. To clean your porcelain paving with detergent, cover an area of your floor with the cleaning solution and let it stand for approximately five minutes. Then, with a mop, gently clean the area that you have covered. It's important to remember not to let the solution dry on top of your paving. The next thing to do is to mop the area again with clean, warm water. This will help to remove any detergent residue that remains and prevent water spots or powdery marks from appearing.

Removing Stains 

When it comes to stain removal, we tend to use the same method regardless of how they occur, which is not the correct way to do things. Each stain should be treated individually in the most effective way possible in order to minimise any potential long-term damage to the paving or surrounding grout. When attempting to remove stains, only deal with the affected area rather than cleaning the entire floor. 

Use Gentle Chemical Use to Remove Stubborn Stains 

The above guidelines offer you the best way to protect your porcelain floor by keeping it looking its best while minimising the risk of damage to individual tiles and grout. Unfortunately, from time to time accidents do tend to happen where major stains may need to be treated with a more rigorous approach that requires the use of chemicals, which may lead to a change in the colour of surrounding grout. Firstly, be sure to follow the above steps to find the best method to clean the particular stain. Next, ensure you are wearing suitable PPE including a mask, gloves and eye protection whenever possible as well as ventilating the area by opening windows and doors that lead outside. Again, it's important to remember to only clean the affected area and not the entire floor.

By following these guidelines on how to clean porcelain paving, you will ensure that your porcelain floor remains sparkling clean and is always looking good. To prevent having to clean more often, be sure to place a doormat near the entrance of your room to catch the majority of the dirt being carried in.

For more information on how to clean your porcelain paving, be sure to get in touch with a member of the AlfrescoPlus team today. Our porcelain experts will be more than happy to help with any enquiry you may have! If you are interested in purchasing porcelain paving for your home or property, click below to browse our full range. We have styles and designs to suit all needs and budgets.

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