.jpg)
The summer is almost here, and so is the urge to make the most of the sunshine in our gardens.
But is your patio ready?
Whether you plan to entertain family and friends or put your feet up with an ice-cold beverage, you’ll need to choose patio slabs for your garden that create the perfect space. That means weighing up whether you want something sleek and simple or something with natural character.
At Silverton Builders Merchants, we supply a variety of slabs - including porcelain and natural paving stones - to homeowners across East Anglia and beyond. This month, we’re comparing the two most popular choices to help you with this design dilemma.
The modern benefits of porcelain paving
Over the last decade or so, porcelain paving has transformed the outdoor materials market. It’s now one of the most popular choices for contemporary gardens across the UK, and for good reason.
Fired at extremely high temperatures, porcelain slabs are dense and hard-wearing. They also absorb virtually zero water, so they can resist the frost and won’t crack in freeze-thaw cycles. That lack of porosity also means less cleaning, because moss, stains and algae can’t gain a foothold.
At Silverton, we hold a variety of styles and colours available for fast delivery across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia region for your summer season, but here are the key things to know about porcelain paving:
Maintenance: Very low
Durability: Extremely high
Appearance: Uniform and contemporary
Best suited to: Modern or minimalist gardens
Slip resistance: Good (on textured finishes)
The classic appeal of natural stone and sandstone
Where porcelain wins on practicality, natural stone wins on character. There are subtle variations in colours, texture and veining that mean no two slabs are identical, giving your patio a feeling of warmth and individuality.
With different quarried sandstone slabs providing different tones, you can work this natural charm into almost any garden. The slightly textured surface means there is good grip underfoot and, when sealed correctly, it can retain a rich, lasting finish that only improves with age.
For homeowners who value beauty and a classic aesthetic, our range of outstanding natural stone slabs remains a popular choice. Here’s what you need to know about sandstone:
Planning your patio: Calculating your materials
Before you place your order, it’s worth spending a few minutes getting your quantities right. Over-ordering wastes your budget, while under-ordering can mean you have to stop mid-project to order more, creating a delay in your summer plans.
Start by measuring your patio area, then multiply the length by the width in metres to get your total square meterage. Always add a little extra on to account for cuts, wastage and breakages, especially if your space is curved or has awkward areas.
Once you have your dimensions, you can use our handy online paving calculator to get an accurate estimate of how many slabs you need. It only takes a few seconds and can remove the guesswork for you.
Whether you choose porcelain slabs or natural stone, at Silverton Builders Merchants, we provide premium paving products at competitive prices. With free local delivery in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia region when you spend over £20, you can get your garden ready for summer today. Alternatively, come see and feel the quality of our paving stone for yourself at any of our branches.
