Would you like to create a unique or stylish design using our porcelain paving? We'll talk you through a few stunning designs that will look great in any indoor or outdoor space. 

Checkerboard 

Using square porcelain tiles you can create a traditional checkerboard design that will look really intriguing in any indoor or outdoor space. Start by choosing two shades of square paving that take your fancy. Colours and textures that complement each other offer a subtle checkerboard finish, while highly contrasting shades offer a bolder look. 

To create the look, lay one paver of colour A next to one paver of colour B in the pattern A, B, A, B. For the second row, start with colour B in the pattern B, A, B, A - and repeat! The checkerboard pattern will appear after only a few alternating rows are laid. Keep doing the same process of alternating colours and rows until you have covered your entire patio area.

Herringbone

To create a herringbone pattern you need to use tiles that fit a 2:1 ratio eg, the tiles are twice as long as they are wide. Here at AlfrescoPlus, we offer three different sizes of tile that satisfy this ratio:

• 45cm x 90cm tiles
• 60cm x 120cm tiles
• 40cm x 80cm tiles

The herringbone design is eyecatching and can really elevate a space without making it look too busy! You've probably seen herringbone paths and patios a million times over - they are a really popular paving pattern option. Herringbone paving can be laid at a 45° or a 90° angle, with 90° offering a more striking finished patio. Unlike checkerboard paving, herringbone patterns can be quite tricky to create, but the end results are so so worth it!

Random Stretcher Bond

If you want your paving to ooze quirkiness this is a great paving pattern design option. Using paving in an assortment of different sizes, you can really make this pattern your own. Choose varying colours and textures for the ultimate eclectic look, or choose tiles of the same shade to really tone this paving pattern down.

You could choose any size of porcelain paving from our range to create this wonderfully random pattern, just make sure that all the tiles in a single row are a similar width, otherwise, you might find awkward gaps or holes in the finished design. 

These are just a few paving pattern ideas, but the options are almost endless. You can create designs within the patio like a striking patio border or a more sophisticated design like a diamond, star or cross! Whatever pattern you choose, it will look great and last for years when you choose porcelain paving. Shop Now!

Do you lie awake at night longing for a flawless floor that’s free of gaps and spaces? Does the thought of a seamless surface leave you salivating like a hungry dog in a butcher’s window?

Well, wipe up that drool and dream no more! Those aspirations can become a reality with the perfect porcelain finish of rectified tiles.

What are Rectified Tiles?

In a nutshell, rectified tiles are essentially machine-finished tiles that have been refined to achieve faultless edges for a perfectly precise right-angle (also known as a “sharp edge” finish).

While regular tiles may have edges that are somewhat irregular and ununiformed, rectified tiles are specifically designed to feature a near identical finish in terms of dimensions.

Benefits of Rectified Tiles

The primary advantage of rectified tiles over standard tiles is that they offer a virtually seamless aesthetic appearance once laid.

The consistent design and exact proportions of each tile allow them to be laid tightly together with as little as 1.5mm grout width.

The result is an unwavering design that appears virtually uninterrupted from tile to tile, providing an overall pattern consistency that’s second to none.

Laying Rectified Tiles

While the uninterrupted design of the wafer-thin joins boasts a truly stunning finish, there are a few things that are worth bearing in mind to achieve the best results.

Perhaps most importantly of all, rectified tiles will still need to be laid upon a smooth and level substrate in order to offer that elusive “perfect finish”.

Placement of rectified tiles on an undulating surface that’s anything but level can result in an uneven lay and cause varying gaps as a result.

What’s more, laying rectified tiles on an uneven surface can cause lips and drops between tiles, effectively negating the “shoulder-to-shoulder” aspect of rectified tiling.

When laying rectified tiles externally, our Easy-Frame system and Pedestal Supports are ideal for providing a level surface outside with minimal effort and an option that’s well worth exploring.

Why Choose Rectified Tiles?

All of the tiles and pavers available at AlfrescoPlus are not only rectified but also vitrified for unparalleled durability, unrivalled water resistance and unfathomable design consistency.

With a showroom finish that’s impossibly uniform, backed by a material that’s strong enough to last, the range of hard-wearing rectified tiles at AlfrescoPlus is sure to tick all the boxes.

For more information on the rectified tiles available at AlfrescoPlus, why not get in touch today? Call our customer service team today on 0800 028 8756 or drop us a line via email using the button below.

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If you’re thinking of revamping your outdoor space with paving slabs or a patio design, you’ve probably been faced with the inevitable choice between natural stone and porcelain paving.

While both have their advantages, here at AlfrescoPlus we believe that porcelain pavers have the upper hand. From durability and practicality to aesthetics and maintenance, the power of porcelain has the edge over natural stone.

Don’t believe us? Let’s run through the pros and cons in more details in the battle of porcelain paving vs natural stone.

Disadvantages of Natural Stone

While natural stone has the obvious advantage of being the real article with its authentic features innately built-in, natural stone also has a number of drawbacks not applicable to porcelain.

Real stone requires real work to maintain a pristine aesthetic. High-maintenance is a common trait of natural stone and regular cleaning/treatment is often required to ensure its appearance remains presentable.

Natural stone is also uniquely crafted by Mother Nature, with each individual paver differing from the last. While this can be great for creating an organic-looking surface, it can be a detrimental attribute when looking to create a uniform finish.

While most of our porcelain designs feature a variegated pattern to differentiate between pavers, they don’t differ too drastically to ruin the overall aesthetic of the flooring. That being said, they still vary enough from tile to tile to maintain the natural deviation of genuine stone.

Benefits of Porcelain Paving

Porcelain tiles are specifically designed to mimic natural stone by recreating their organic appearance in a man-made product. From a production standpoint, this has a number of benefits, ranging from durability right down to the aesthetics.

Our porcelain products have been painstakingly engineered to look exactly like natural stone, so much so that it’s hard to tell the two apart. However, the materials used to create porcelain paving give them a distinct edge over their natural counterpart.

Extremely durable and low-maintenance, each paver is built to last. They require very little upkeep and have the ability to retain their vibrancy and unblemished finish for years with very little TLC along the way. An annual jet-wash is all that’s needed.

As well as being extremely resistant to stains, fading and abrasions, porcelain is also impressively slip-resistant when wet, providing a far more reliable surface in wet and damp conditions. This weather-proofing also extends to frost and our porcelain tiles are highly capable in sub-zero temperatures.

Why Choose Porcelain Paving?

From the durability and low-maintenance upkeep to its stunning design and impressive weather-resistance, porcelain is the next evolution of stonework design in the home. Porcelain has the ability to provide all the benefits of natural stone and more, culminating in a finished product that’s fit for 21^st century living.

In addition to its performance, porcelain pavers are also a great choice for environmentalists as all our tiles eco-friendly, made from natural raw materials, ethically sourced with minimal waste. Any waste that is created during the manufacturing process is simply recycled and each tile is meticulously made to meet European Ecolabel standards.

What are you waiting for? Request a FREE sample today and see for yourself or call now and speak to one of our experts using the button below.

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For long-time residents of the UK, our dull and dismal climate will be a gripe that’s all too familiar.

The weather across the UK is characteristically wet throughout the year, predictably unpredictable and habitually putting a dampener on British summertime.

With such a high likelihood of rainfall, it’s important that you take this into consideration when planning out your garden design.

If you’re planning on revamping your outside space, slip-resistant tiles are a wise choice. Luckily, here at AlfrescoPlus, we’ve got you covered.

Get a Grip

At AlfrescoPlus, all of our outdoor tile ranges have been specifically designed to withstand the environmental demands of an outdoor setting – including the eventuality of heavy rain.

Each of our porcelain paving tiles are extremely robust, vitrified for extreme durability. The vitrification process not only ensures their ability to resist scratches, cracks and abrasions, but it also provides each tile with an impressively low porosity.

With a porosity level of less than 0.05%, our tiles retain virtually no moisture. Not only does this mean they dry out faster in wet weather but it also means that they are frost-resistant, providing further slip-protection in colder conditions.

Last Traction Hero

Our wide range of porcelain tiles boast a myriad of features for grip and slip-resistance, most notably their textured finish. This is a specific design choice made to enhance underfoot stability in all weather conditions, while also making it a top material for a poolside surround or base for a hot tub.

Additionally, each outdoor paving tile is 20mm thick and durable enough to withstand a heavy weight, which – when coupled with their slip-resisting qualities – also makes them perfect for driveways, as well as back gardens and patios.

Rate Expectations

For clarity purposes, all paving tiles on the AlfrescoPlus site have been graded with a “Grip Factor” of 1-5, with 1 being low and 5 being highly slip-resistant. The majority of our outdoor tiles are rate 4 or above, making porcelain paving from AlfrescoPlus a safe bet when it comes to slip-protection.

Additionally, all our outdoor tiles are also given a designated slip score, known as an “R Rating”; this ranking system has been designed and implemented by the government’s Health and Safety Executive. While this is helpful in determining performance, it’s important to note that scores are recorded between R9 and R13 and not beginning at R1 as you would logically believe.

What are you waiting for? Don’t slip up with your outdoor tile choice – call AlfrescoPlus today and give your outdoor design a tile it can rely on, whatever the weather!

For more information on our slip-resistant tiles and further details on outdoor paving attributes, why not drop us a line? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or get in touch online using the button below.

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In the world of garden design, outside of grassy lawns, there are two primary design options that stand head and shoulders above the rest: paved patios and wood decking.

These tried and tested options have long been duking it out for garden supremacy, consistently engaged in a tug-of-war of exterior design.

When it comes to finding a winner in this popularity contest, it’s hard to pick a standout victor. Thanks to modern innovations in porcelain paving and composite decking, both offer fantastic benefits that are truly hard to choose between.

With such a fine line between the two, the final decision ultimately has to come down to personal preference. With that being said, which one is right for you? Let’s run the garden gamut and find out.

Patio Magnifico

For a classy, stone-look surface, nothing beats the almighty awesomeness of the porcelain-powered patio paving.

Extremely durable, indistinguishable from the real thing and available in a wide variety of colours and patterns, our porcelain paving slabs offer a wealth of creative freedom when it comes to creating patio perfection.

AlfrescoPlus has one of the largest selections of porcelain paving designs in the UK, giving you ample choice and unrivalled freedom when it comes to formulating your outdoor design.

From light, Mediterranean warmth of the Turin Cream to the dark and stormy allure of the Slate Riven Black, we have a tile for all tastes and a patio for all personalities.

What’s more, porcelain boasts an extremely low porosity that absorbs very little moisture, making it highly resistant to water, as well as frost and ice. This gives it added traction and grip for reassuring slip resistance in a number of wet and icy conditions.

Best of all, all our porcelain tiles extremely low-maintenance, requiring very little TLC at all. Inherently scratch, fade and stain resistant, all you need to do is give them an annual jetwash to keep them looking as good as new!

Hit the Deck

If stone-look isn’t quite your cup of tea, the alternative is the wood-grained garden grandeur of composite decking.

A more than fitting replacement, composite decking from AlfrescoPlus is made from a combination of natural hardwood and synthetic materials, giving it an authentic aesthetic appeal with the unparalleled durability of modern technology.

Composite decking boards never have to be sealed, painted or stained to retain their visage, while they will also never crack, splinter or bow. Each board is also capable of retaining its grip even under harsh conditions, engineered to be resistant to rain and frost.

Available in a variety of colours, shades and designs, our collection also caters for all manner of budgets. What’s more, our impressive warranties also provide unrivalled peace of mind, proof that your deck will last.

From a maintenance standpoint, each deck board is made for independence and requires very little upkeep to retain its looks. An occasional once over with warm, soapy water when necessary will be all it needs to return to its original glory.

Deck Out Your Patio

So, you’ve heard both sides of the argument and are still torn like Natalie Imbruglia. Now what?

Well, who’s to say you have to choose between the two at all? There’s always the option to blend the two using the art of zoning in your exterior design.

Garden zoning is an increasingly popular trend in outdoor design that sees your garden effectively split into sections (or “zones”) with a different setting for specific activities or ambiences. This method allows you to incorporate a patio with decking, all in one garden.

A great example of zoning is the standard three-part split. Imagine a rectangular garden: you step out the back door onto a paved patio, which leads onto a grass lawn with a raised deck area at the bottom of the garden.

From a zoning POV, the initial patio creates the ideal area for alfresco dining and barbeques; the grass is perfect for kids and pets to run, play and enjoy; while the decked base of the garden is tailor-made for relaxing and unwinding.

Naturally, the extent of the combination is entirely up to you and how you blend the two is restricted only to your own imagination. If you have a particular combination, design or layout in mind, we can make it happen.

For more information and advice on which garden design is right for you, why not drop us a line today and speak with one of our experts? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or send us an email with your queries using the button below.

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