For many of us, gardens have become an increasingly important part of the home over the last few years. Tidy, low maintenance and practical gardens are at the top of the wish list for many homeowners as well as those looking to buy their first home or relocate.
A garden provides a beautiful area to relax in the sunshine with a glass of wine, host BBQ’s and parties for guests, and let the little ones play outside with their friends.
Porcelain paving continues to grow in popularity on the paving market for garden and patio redesigns and offers countless advantages compared to natural stone products.
One common question about porcelain paving is whether or not it becomes hot underfoot in the summer months. So, if you plan on using porcelain as part of your summer garden redesign, let us give you the answer you are searching for.
Does porcelain paving get hot in the sun?
Like any type of paving/tiles, porcleain can get hot when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. It's generally unavoidable that slabs will warm under prolonged direct sunlight exposure, but porcelain is one of the coolest materials when compared to alternatives.
The main differentiator in how warm your tiles will get is colour, alongside their positioning and intended use.
Does colour affect how hot porcelain paving gets?
Colour has the single biggest impact on whether or not porcelain slabs will get in direct sunlight. Lighter shades of porcelain, such as our light grey, beige, or white slabs, will reflect sunlight and naturally remain cooler underfoot. This makes them more suitable for poolsides, or other surfaces where barefoot is likely to be common.
Darker tiles, such as dark grey or black porcelain tiles, absorb and hold head much more intensely. In some cases, this may make them unsuitable for areas exposed to prolonged direct sunlight where barefoot walking is required.
How does porcelain compare with other paving materials in the heat?
Porcelain beats most other paving materials such as natural stone and concrete when it comes to heat resistance. Many natural stones, like sandstone, have higher thermal conductivity than porcelain. This means it can become much hotter, and even retain this heat once the sun exposure is gone.
Another benefit of porcelain is that, due to its high density, porcelain tiles will cool down much quicker than other materials.
Is porcelain paving safe to walk on barefoot in the summer?
In direct, intense summer sunlight, porcelain can become too hot to walk on. However, this is generally only the case with darker colours. Lighter tiles will still warm up, but it's highly unlikely that they'll reach a heat which is unsafe or uncomfortable.
Is porcelain UV resistant?
Yes, porcelain tiles are UV resistant. However, there is often a slight misconception regarding what this actually means. UV resistance does not mean that porcelain won't heat up in direct sunlight, it just means that the tiles won't warp or fade, even under harsh sunlight.
Choose our porcelain
At Build Pave, we have an extensive catalogue of high quality porcelain products that can turn any outdoor space into something spectacular.
We invite you to check out our wide range of colours, styles and effects here. No matter what kind of home improvement project you have in mind, indoors or outdoors, we have the right porcelain product to suit your needs.
If we haven’t yet convinced you that porcelain paving is the right investment for you and your home improvement project, get in touch with us and we will be happy to help with any queries you may have.
With valuable experience, we are able to help you achieve the perfect patio, garden, or home interior with our products.
