So, you’ve chosen your design from a wide range of porcelain paving options, you’ve ordered the necessary amount and you’re now well and truly excited about your impending paving.

All that’s left is the small matter of installation.

When it comes to laying porcelain paving, there are two primary routes to go down: the DIY option or the professional path.

If you’re planning on installing porcelain paving in your garden, this isn’t a decision that should be made lightly. Naturally, there are pros and cons attached to each, ultimately coming down to cost vs. quality.

To help guide you through the process to ensure you make an informed decision, here’s a quick rundown of what to expect from each.

DIY Paving Installation

If you have prior experience of manual labour, garden maintenance or tiling in general, DIY installation of garden paving can be a worthwhile endeavour.

Even if you don’t have history in any of the above, that’s not to say that the DIY route is completely out of the question – provided you don’t mind taking the risk and jumping in at the deep end.

AlfrescoPlus tiles are designed for easy installation. While traditional tiles and pavers require mortar and cement, our revolutionary pedestal support system totally by-passes this antiquated approach in favour of our simple, new-school technology.

This allows for dry installation, without the use of any kind of adhesive whatsoever. Not only does this keep the mess to a minimum, it also makes them user-friendly and far easier for a novice would-be paver to handle.

Best of all, the absence of adhesive mean there are no drying periods to wait around for once your pavers are laid. Since there’s no cement or mortar involved, you can simply lay your pavers and begin using straight away.

Tips for Laying Porcelain Paving

If you do plan on installing porcelain paving tiles yourself, there are a few things that are well worth keeping in mind.

Coverage Area

Before you start, calculate the area you will be required to cover by measuring the dimensions of the space. We recommend allowing for 10% waste as it’s inherently common for paving jobs to require slabs to be cut and trimmed along the way for the perfect fit. Meanwhile, it can also be good to have some slabs in reserve, should you run into any breakages along the way.

Paving Gaps

Our tiles and pavers are designed with a very close dimensional tolerance with very clean-cut edges. While this does allow for a tight “architectural” finish, we strongly advise against jointless installation with no gaps as the slightest alteration in settlement can affect the overall aesthetic. Instead, opt for at least a 2mm grout gap between pavers.

Colour Variation

Pavers with an intrinsic colour variation between tiles (such as the Sandstone Grey and the Travertine Grey ranges) are designed to naturally differ from one slab to the next. As such, when you are laying your tiles, it’s worth alternating which pavers you use. Choosing paving tiles from different boxes or varying sections of delivery pallet can help ensure a randomised pattern for a heightened authenticity.

Cutting Tiles

While installation is designed to be as simple as possible, it’s unlikely a paving job will fit perfectly from edge to edge. As such, you may be required to cut certain tiles to make them fit snug from left to right. Be sure to prepare for this eventuality by sourcing the relevant cutting equipment before your start the job.

Professional Paving Installation

While our indoor tiles and outdoor pavers are specifically engineered for simple self-installation, we understand that laying porcelain paving in your property can be a daunting task and won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

Home improvement can be quite the investment and the prospect of that investment going to waste with a sub-par DIY job can be one that many will want to avoid. If that sounds like you, fear not – that’s where we come in.

At AlfrescoPlus, we pride ourselves on our customer service and providing complete, comprehensive assistance from start to finish is something that we thrive upon. Our expert team of professional fitters are more than happy to help you achieve the paving design you paid to see.

Available in most areas nationwide, our experienced staff are fully capable of tackling a variety of tasks and projects, from straightforward patio installation to complex designs involving additional features, like steps and levels.

From gardens patios and poolside surroundings to balconies and roof terraces, we can handle the hard work so you don’t have to. Simply make the call, sit back and enjoy the results!

For more information on our installation services, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 028 8756 to speak with one of our helpful customer service staff or use the button below to send us an enquiry online.

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Love it or hate it, there’s no denying it: gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the UK.

Ideal for both young and old alike, the universal calming qualities of gardening have made it a top choice for many nationwide. In fact, according to LoveTheGarden.com, a colossal 27 million of us Brits love nothing more than maintaining lawn and order in the sunshine.

However, you don’t have to be born with a silver trowel in your mouth to enjoy the outdoors on your property. There are plenty of ways to make the most of your outdoor space, even if you aren’t graced with green fingers.

British Gardens

According to the Horticulture Trades Association, the average UK garden is just 14m2.

To put that into context, 14m2 is about the size of a typical parking space (or three and half King Size beds, if you work in DFS).

While that might not seem like much to work with, there are a wealth of ways to utilise your garden space and really make the most of it. In fact, here at AlfrescoPlus, that’s our speciality!

Read on for a few awesome options on how to turn your glorified garden parking spot into a stunning space fit for a king...or three and half.

Patios and Decking

Whether firing up the barbeque with friends or kicking back with a good book in the sun, patios and decking can bring instant appeal to an outdoor space. With endless design options and a laundry list of colours, there’s a flavour for every taste bud when you opt for a patio or decking.

Decking

If you’re looking to create that unparalleled wood-look finish in your outdoor space, there’s no substitute for composite decking. Our array of designs covers a variety of colours and finishes, from the authentic allure of Cedar VertiGrain to the classical charm of our Vintage White Legacy.

Better still, our composite decking comes in a variety of forms, ranging from the budget-friendly hollow composite option, all the way up to the top-of-the-range capped composite at the premium end of the scale.

Patios

For durability and class in abundance, few products compare to the awesome aesthetic of porcelain paving. Available in a huge range of colours and sizes, our porcelain paving slabs are ideal for creating a stunning stony design within your outdoor space.

Durable and extremely resistant to staining and fading, our outdoor porcelain tiles can instantly transform your garden space into the perfect outdoor lounge or dining area. Available in a diverse spectrum of designs and colour shades, transforming your garden with the addition of a patio can be an instant upgrade. 

For more information on our outdoor living products, why not give us a call on 0800 028 8756? Alternatively, feel free to drop us a line using the link below.

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Welcome to AlfrescoPlus - the all-new online home of outdoor design.

Ever looked out of your window, gazing longingly at the stars, in the hope that one day there would be a site that catered for ALL of your outdoor design needs?

Well yearn no more, Britain – AlfrescoPlus has arrived!

What is AlfrescoPlus?

AlfrescoPlus is the ultimate one-stop shop for luxury outdoor products.

Backed by the power of parent company Greensquares, AlfrescoPlus combines a range of outdoor expertise to offer everything you need to create your dream outdoor space.

Under the direction of our MD, Jason Cole, and his 30 years of industry experience, our collection of outdoor fixtures is tailor-made with insider knowledge for a selection that’s truly second to none.

What’s on offer?

From decking to paving, our selection of stylish products can completely transform your outdoor space into your very own homely garden wonderland.

Each product is built to last with durability at heart, keeping your outside space looking fresh and vibrant from season to season, year after year.

To sweeten the deal even more, we even offer FREE delivery on all order over £750 – all the more reason to go Alfresco!

How do I find what I’m looking for?

Whether your budget is bound by a pricing limit or your heart is set on a specific shade of colour, navigating through our site couldn’t be easier.

The entire AlfrescoPlus website is designed with you in mind, laid out in easy to use sections and sub-sections to fit your own spec and requirements.

Simply click on the heading you require and find the sub-heading that suits your needs. For more specific searches, just type your required term in the search bar and away you go!

Why AlfrescoPlus?

At AlfrescoPlus, we believe in quality. Each product is made to the highest specification for low-maintenance luxury and superior aesthetics.

Don’t believe us? Request a FREE sample pack today and see our top-quality products up-close and personal – you won’t be disappointed!

So, what are you waiting for? Bring a fresh look to your outdoor space and go Alfresco with AlfrescoPlus today.

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