About Our Porcelain Paving Range
Porcelain paving slabs have become the default choice for modern UK gardens, patios, and driveways — and for good reason. Engineered to be denser and harder than natural stone, outdoor porcelain slabs stay virtually stain-free, never need sealing, and resist frost, moss, and fading year after year. At Universal Paving, our full porcelain paving range starts from £18/m² and ships UK-wide from our Nottingham yard.
Every slab in our outdoor porcelain range is 20mm thick with an R11 anti-slip rating, making these porcelain patio slabs safe underfoot in wet British weather and rated for residential patios and light commercial use. Whether you're searching for porcelain slabs in grey, black, white, or beige — or specifically for 20mm porcelain tiles in 600x600, 900x600, or 1200x600 formats — the collection below covers the full spectrum of contemporary outdoor design.
Choosing Porcelain Paving by Colour
Colour is the first decision most buyers make, and it affects everything else about how your patio feels. Here's how each colour family performs and what it suits best.
Grey Porcelain Paving — The most popular colour family in the UK by a wide margin, grey porcelain ranges from pale silver and light grey through to mid-tone Kandla Grey and deeper charcoal. Light grey porcelain paving and silver grey porcelain paving work brilliantly with red brick, white render, and traditional UK architecture. Mid-grey porcelain suits contemporary new-builds and extensions. Darker grey tones create a strong visual anchor for modern minimalist gardens. Grey is the safest choice if you're unsure — it works with virtually every planting scheme, furniture style, and exterior finish.
Black Porcelain Paving Slabs — Black porcelain creates dramatic contrast and makes planting, outdoor furniture, and lighting stand out. It's the strongest statement colour in the range and suits contemporary homes, modern gardens, and properties with pale exteriors where you want the patio to feel intentional rather than blend in. Anthracite Black is the most popular black porcelain finish — slightly less flat than pure black with subtle depth that reads as premium.
White & Light Porcelain Paving — Including quartz white porcelain paving, Himalayan white, and ivory tones, these lighter porcelain slabs reflect light and make small or shaded gardens feel larger. White porcelain outdoor tiles are particularly popular for Mediterranean-style gardens, pool surrounds, and properties with sea views. They do show marks more readily than grey or black, so they suit patios that get regular cleaning rather than heavily trafficked driveways.
Beige, Buff & Stone-Effect Porcelain — Stone-effect porcelain in beige, buff, and multi-tonal finishes is for buyers who want the look of natural sandstone or limestone with none of the maintenance. Hammerstone Beige and similar multi-tonal finishes give you the warmth and colour variation of natural stone with the stain resistance and zero-sealing performance of porcelain. This family is the top-seller for buyers upgrading from traditional Indian sandstone.
Choosing Porcelain Patio Slabs by Size
Size affects both the visual impact of your patio and the cost per square metre of installation. Larger formats mean fewer joints, a cleaner finish, and faster laying — but they're heavier to handle and more demanding on sub-base preparation.
| Size | Best for | Visual effect |
|---|---|---|
| 600x600 | Traditional patios, small gardens, courtyards | Classic square format, more visible joints, balanced look |
| 900x600 | Contemporary patios, medium-to-large gardens | The most popular UK size — clean, modern, widely available |
| 1200x600 | Large patios, entertaining areas, statement driveways | XL format, minimal joints, premium contemporary finish |
| Patio Packs (mixed) | Traditional random-pattern layouts | Mixed sizes laid in a set pattern, traditional look |
| Planks (900x200) | Borders, paths, feature strips, step treads | Linear format for edging and accent details |
Decision guide: Choose 900x600 as the default — it's the most popular size for good reason. Go to 1200x600 if your space is large enough to carry the scale and you want a premium minimalist finish. Drop to 600x600 only for small gardens where 900x600 would feel out of proportion.
Porcelain Paving Slabs vs Porcelain Patio Tiles — Is There a Difference?
This is one of the most common questions we get, so let's clear it up. "Porcelain paving slabs", "porcelain patio slabs", "porcelain patio tiles", and "outdoor porcelain tiles" all refer to the same product. The terminology varies by buyer — landscapers and trade professionals usually say "slabs", while homeowners and interior designers often say "tiles". What you're looking for in both cases is 20mm outdoor-rated porcelain with an R11 anti-slip finish. If a product is described as a porcelain tile but is thinner than 20mm, it's likely an indoor floor tile and not suitable for outdoor use. Everything in our collection below is genuine 20mm outdoor porcelain rated for UK patios and gardens.
Porcelain vs Natural Stone — Which Is Right For You?
| Feature | Porcelain Paving | Natural Stone Paving |
|---|---|---|
| Water absorption | Under 0.5% | 1–6% |
| Sealing required | No | Recommended |
| Slip rating | R11 | R10–R11 |
| Lifespan | 30+ years | 20+ years |
| Colour consistency | Uniform | Natural variation |
| Staining | Highly resistant | Can stain without sealing |
| Starting price | From £18/m² | From £20/m² |
| Best for | Modern patios, low-maintenance, pool areas | Traditional and rustic gardens, character paving |
Why Choose Universal Paving
- 20mm thickness as standard — full structural strength for residential patios
- R11 anti-slip rating across the entire range — safer in rain, frost, and around pools
- From £18/m² — among the most competitive porcelain paving pricing in the UK
- Full colour range — grey, black, white, beige, and stone-effect porcelain in one place
- Multiple sizes — 600x600, 900x600, 1200x600, patio packs, and planks
- Stocked in our Nottingham yard for fast UK-wide delivery
- Trade pricing for landscapers, contractors, and developers
Porcelain Paving FAQs
How much do porcelain paving slabs cost in the UK? Porcelain paving prices in the UK typically range from £18 to £45 per square metre depending on size, finish, and brand. Our porcelain slabs start from £18/m², with most popular colours sitting between £19 and £30/m². Large-format 1200x600 slabs and premium stone-effect finishes tend to sit at the higher end.
What's the difference between porcelain paving slabs and porcelain patio tiles? They're the same product — just different terminology. Landscapers usually say "slabs", homeowners often say "tiles". What matters is that the product is 20mm thick and rated for outdoor use. Thinner indoor porcelain floor tiles cannot be used on patios because they don't have the structural strength or the slip-resistant R11 finish.
Is porcelain better than sandstone for a patio? Porcelain is harder, less porous, and lower-maintenance than sandstone, so it stays cleaner for longer and never needs sealing. Sandstone offers more natural colour variation and a softer, more traditional look. The right choice depends on whether you prefer a contemporary or traditional finish.
What thickness are your outdoor porcelain paving slabs? All of our outdoor porcelain paving slabs are 20mm thick. This is the UK standard for residential patios and provides the structural strength needed for foot traffic, garden furniture, and standard installation methods. We do not stock thinner indoor tiles for outdoor use.
What's the most popular porcelain paving colour? Grey porcelain is by far the most popular colour family in the UK, accounting for the majority of patio sales. Within grey, Kandla Grey porcelain and silver grey porcelain are the top-sellers. Black porcelain paving slabs are the second most popular for contemporary gardens, followed by stone-effect beige and buff finishes.
Do porcelain paving slabs need sealing? No. Porcelain paving has a water absorption rate below 0.5%, which means it does not absorb stains, moss, or moisture the way natural stone can. A simple wash with water and mild detergent is all that's needed to keep porcelain slabs looking new.
Are porcelain slabs frost-proof? Yes. Because porcelain absorbs almost no water, there is nothing inside the slab to expand and crack when temperatures drop. Our porcelain paving is fully frost-proof and rated for UK winters.
Can I use porcelain paving on a driveway? Standard 20mm porcelain paving can be used on driveways, but the installation method is critical. Porcelain must be laid on a full mortar bed (not spot-bedded) over a properly compacted Type 1 sub-base, with a slurry primer applied to the back of each slab. When installed correctly by an experienced contractor, porcelain driveways last 30+ years with minimal maintenance.
What size porcelain paving should I choose? 900x600 is the most popular size and our default recommendation for most UK patios. Go to 1200x600 if you have a large area and want a premium minimalist finish with fewer joints. Drop to 600x600 only for small gardens where larger formats would feel out of proportion. Patio packs are best for traditional random-pattern layouts.
Are porcelain patio tiles slippery when wet? No. All of our outdoor porcelain slabs carry an R11 anti-slip rating, which is the UK standard for external use in wet conditions. This is specifically tested for barefoot and shod traffic in rain, around pools, and on sloped surfaces. Indoor porcelain floor tiles (which are typically R9 or unrated) are not suitable for outdoor use.
Do you deliver porcelain paving across the UK? Yes. We deliver porcelain paving UK-wide from our Nottingham yard, with most orders dispatched within 2–3 working days. Trade customers can also collect from the yard.