When it comes to advances in patio paving technology, revolutionary breakthroughs are few and far between.

However, when something ground-breaking does come along, it usually more than makes up for the wait (take porcelain paving as proof of that).

Pedestal supports are one such innovation, providing the archaic processes of the paving business with a quantum leap into the 21^st century.

Intrigued? You should be! Read on for the complete lowdown on these awesome innovations.

What is a Pedestal Support System?

An ingenious alternative to cement slab laying, pedestal supports provide you with a uniquely simple way of attaining a level paving surface with little effort at all.

Each pedestal essentially acts as a supportive stump, providing a sturdy pillar for each corner of the pavers to rest securely on.

The process of dry-installation also means your new paving slabs won’t require any time to set, meaning your new patio surface will be good walk on straight away.

Additional Benefits of Pedestal Installation

With no need for cement or adhesive, the pavers are also inherently easy to lift, should you require access to the substrate or want/need to replace any tiles.

The supports even leave room for pipes and underfloor wiring, should any of your outdoor plans involve water provision or electrical hook-ups; e.g. water features, outdoor lighting, etc.

Meanwhile, the void between the paving slab and the ground surface beneath also increases thermal and acoustic insulation.

Adjustable Pedestal Supports Height

With a simple switch mechanism that provides adjustable height, allowing you to achieve a surface height of 28mm to 58mm.

Additionally, there’s even the option to boost the height of your supports with a pedestal extension collar, adding an additional 30mm to the pedestal’s maximum height.

Better still, you can use up to seven collars per support, adding a whopping 210mm to your overall pedestal height.

Pedestal Supports at AlfrescoPlus

The pedestal supports offered by AlfrescoPlus are extremely user-friendly and ideal for DIY installation.

No prior flooring experience is necessary and you don’t need to be a professional paver or top-notch tiler to achieve fantastic level results.

Best of all, the lack of adhesive means the whole process is infinitely cleaner than the old-school cement route. No mortar means mess no más!

For more information on our pedestals and the pedestal installation, why not drop us a line? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or get in touch online using the link 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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The beauty of the porcelain tiles we sell here at AlfrescoPlus is that they are extremely durable, fundamentally designed to weather the storm in terms of elemental abuse from the environment.

That being said, nothing is invincible and even the very best can have an off-day from time to time. As such, you may find that, in order to retain your just-laid shine, you may want to give your porcelain tiles a sporadic once-over when necessary.

However, blindly jumping in with both feet for a porcelain deep clean can be a recipe for disaster, particularly if you don’t know what you’re doing. There are a few guidelines you may want to stick to if you want to ensure the longevity of your shiny new slabs.

Read on for the ultimate guide to cleaning porcelain tiles.

Step by Step: How to Clean Porcelain Floor Tiles

1. Sweep the surface with a dry mop to rid the tiles of any visible dust and dirt.
2. Once swept clear, cover the area with warm, soapy water and leave briefly to soak.
3. Next, use a wet mop to clean the face of each tile to give your patio a renewed shine.
4. For stubborn dirt and stains, scrub the problem area with a soft nylon brush.
5. Wash away the surface water with clean water to reveal your gleaming tiles.

Top Tips for Cleaning Porcelain Tiles

So, now you’re clued up on the ABCs of cleaning porcelain tiles, it’s time to dot the Is and cross the Ts. Here’s a few more handy tips that are worth bearing in mind before you get polishing your porcelain.

Cleaning Inside Out

Naturally, depending on whether you’re cleaning indoor tiles or outdoor pavers will determine just how you treat your tiles and how you scrub your surface.

For indoor tiles, the steps remain largely unchanged from the guidelines above; however, you will need to be a little less liberal with your water coverage. You may also want to dry and buff the surface with a microfibre cloth once you are finished.

Conversely, outdoor tiles will likely feature a more textured finish and, as such, may require a more thorough scrub to clean. Use a broom or scrubbing brush instead of a mop to ensure you get a good clean within the surface grooves.

Chemical Warfare

To maintain their flawless aesthetic, porcelain tiles are vitrified for enhanced moisture-resistance that’s virtually impermeable. Great, right?

However, this is achieved through the vitrification process which essentially bakes the tile into a glass-like material to achieve this low-porosity.

When exposed to corrosive chemicals, the water-proof, vitrified surface can become damaged, resulting in an increase in water absorption and a natural dip in performance as a result.

In short, chemical cleaners can ruin your tiles and damage the aesthetic of the porcelain – so don’t use cleaners containing chemicals, particularly those containing ammonia, bleach or acids.

Stubborn Stains

Okay, despite what we just said in the previous section, desperate times cause for desperate measures. If you do happen to notice stubborn stains that simply won’t budge, even after a thorough clean, you may have to resort to Plan B.

Specialist floor cleaning products and those specifically designed for porcelain tile cleaning can be a handy fallback plan if your initial clean does nothing to shift a persistent stain. However, it’s still advisable to steer clear of those containing corrosive chemicals.

Similarly, some people swear by white vinegar when it comes to porcelain tile stain removal, commonly used at a ratio of roughly 0.25 litres of white vinegar to 3.75 litres of water.

Before using any specialist cleaning products or methods, be sure to read the instructions and always test them out on a small section of flooring first. That way, you can make sure they won’t damage your tiles without risking complete ruin.

For more information on how to clean porcelain tiles and general porcelain tile maintenance, call now on 0800 028 8756 or drop us a line using the button below.

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