Share
When the time comes to choose the paving for outdoor areas, the material’s functional characteristics must be carefully considered. Not just because outdoor paving is constantly exposed to the weather and atmospheric factors and thus more vulnerable to wear, but also because it often has to be resistant to vehicles and heavy loads.
In all these cases, porcelain stoneware is a material that meets all the demands of an outdoor paving, guaranteeing you the best performance and convenience while still providing an elegant, stylish appearance, to give your outdoor space an extra touch of design and sophistication.
Marazzi porcelain stoneware tiles are the ideal option for your outdoor areas, both residential and commercial. So now let’s take a look at the characteristics porcelain stoneware must have to ensure it will be durable and vehicle-resistant over time.
Vehicle-resistant porcelain stoneware: the ideal solution for outdoor paving
To get the best from porcelain stoneware installed outdoors, especially if it has to be resistant to vehicles, the tiles used must have specific resistance, thickness and texture characteristics.
What are the requirements for vehicle resistant stoneware?
Since it’s going to be used for an outdoor paving, first and foremost it must be resistant to thermal shock, bad weather and frost. Stoneware is frostproof due to the non-porous conformation of the material itself: stoneware is impermeable to water and damp, which could form ice inside the tile when temperatures fall, causing it to crack.
Vehicle-resistant porcelain stoneware must have sufficient strength to withstand the passage of heavy loads: for enhanced performance, many Marazzi porcelain stoneware collections are also available in extra-thick 20 mm version, also suitable for use in raised paving systems.
Another fundamental characteristic to be considered for outdoor installation is the skid resistance of the tile’s surface, which must provide the highest guarantees of safety to prevent hazardous slipping.
Choosing the right porcelain stoneware tiles will provide you with an extremely hard-wearing, durable paving that will maintain its supremely stylish appearance over the years.
Benefits of porcelain stoneware for a vehicle-resistant outdoor paving
Porcelain stoneware is an excellent solutions for vehicle-resistant outdoor paved areas because, as already explained, it’s extremely versatile and hard-wearing. Its many benefits make it a truly excellent choice in both residential and commercial contexts.
First and foremost, porcelain stoneware is famed for its exceptional durability, effectively withstanding impacts, the weather and the corrosive action of atmospheric agents. Besides this, it’s also a very low-maintenance material, since mould and bacteria don’t tend to build up on its surface and it doesn’t require specific cleaning treatments. You only have to follow a few simple tips to keep its surface intact and hygienic in the long term.
Another important benefit of porcelain stoneware is its aesthetic versatility. Available in a wide range of colours, patterns and finishes, it can offer a perfect imitation of other materials like stone, wood or concrete and fit into any architectural style. Whether you’re looking for a modern look or a more traditional mood, the Marazzi stoneware outdoor paving range is sure to have a vehicle-resistant stoneware solution that suits the design of your outdoor space.
Last but no less important, since extra-thick stoneware is so resistant it’s just as suitable for commercial as for private locations, as it can withstand the continual passage of people and vehicles with no signs of wear, maintaining its impeccable, professional appearance at all times.
The ideal stoneware thickness for vehicle-resistant paving
When it comes to vehicle-resistant stoneware paving, one of the most important factors is the thickness of the tiles. Standard porcelain stoneware tiles are about 10 mm thick, sufficient to make a paving vehicle-resistant.
However, for unbeatable strength and durability, Marazzi also offers extra-thick stoneware tiles, with thickness 20 mm. Naturally, the thicker tiles are even tougher, able to withstand heavy loads with no risk of breakage or deformation. This can be crucial for applications like drives, parking areas or squares, subject to constant vehicle traffic.
A stoneware paving will easily withstand thermal and mechanical shocks in both cases. All these factors make it a safe, reliable paving, which not only combines beauty and convenience but will also last perfectly in the long term even under the weight of traffic.
Installing vehicle-resistant porcelain stoneware tiles
When paving an outdoor area, whether it’s a car park, a drive or part of a garden, the first step is to clean the substrate on which the tiles are to be installed. Preparing the installation surface and choosing the right method for requirements are essential to guarantee the durability of the new paving and avoid the need to replace tiles even in the short term.
When it comes to 20 mm extra-thick stoneware tiles, this extra thickness, doesn’t only mean greater strength but also enables the use of a variety of installation methods, such as on screed, on gravel, on sand or on grass.
This gives you more flexibility when designing your vehicle-resistance porcelain stoneware paving and ensures a durable result that remains immaculate over time.
Choose Marazzi for outdoor paving and explore our entire offering of extra-thick tiles suitable for pedestrian walkways and driveways.
