RANGE REVIEW: TILES & TILING


PORCELAIN PAVING COMES


INTO ITS OWN WITH T


his year premium porcelain paving is predicted to grow in popularity as its price becomes comparable to


Indian sandstone, which has seen supply chain issues over the past year. Whilst porcelain paving has been growing in popularity over the past few years, 2022 will see porcelain become more mainstream as homeowners become aware of the benefits and style of porcelain paving. Available in a wide variety of styles, finishes and colours, it is an exceptionally versatile material that can replicate the textured style of natural stone or the grainy appearance


NEW RAGLEY SERIES DELIVERS HIGH CLASS STYLE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES


CERAMIQUE INTERNATIONALE has enhanced its country house themed tile range with the launch of the elegant Ragley series. Following the award- winning success of its Harewood collection, the company has collaborated with the same Spanish producer to introduce the affordable Metro shaped 100mm x 200mm Ragley. Available in in six sophisticated colours, in on trend hues ranging from ‘Old’ white, subtle greys and understated aqua to dramatic Bahia blue, the detailed glossy surface of Ragley tiles lend themselves perfectly to British bathrooms and kitchens. Crackle glazes are enduringly popular in the UK but the nature of their


production means they have tended to be limited to more artisanal - and higher priced - tile ranges. A crackle finish is created by rapidly shrinking a glass glaze during manufacture, causing it to crack and creating an intricate surface pattern. However, the open structure of the cracked glaze means it requires post- installation sealing to protect it from staining and moisture ingress. Director of Ceramique Internationale Peter Vann says: “Everyone just loves crackle glaze tiles. Our producer employs advanced technology to randomly print a 100% realistic crackle onto durable ceramic, removing the need to seal before grouting.” • More information about the Ragley collection can be found at https://tilesandmosaics.co.uk/product/ragley-bahia-100x200


28 DIY WEEK APRIL 2022


of real timber, with the added performance


benefits of porcelain


paving. One of the main benefits of porcelain paving is its low maintenance and it is one of the easiest paving types to keep clean, only requiring hot soapy water. It is also super safe for families of all ages as it is completely slip resistant, even when wet. Due to its hardwearing design,


porcelain tiles are ideal for installation in high-traffic areas and are durable over a long lifespan. Manufactured from extremely pure clays and fired at


incredibly high


porcelain paving has higher chip resistance than other paving options, while the toughness of porcelain pavers allows them to withstand heavy furniture without damage or cracking appearing. This, along with the increased stain resistance over other tile types, makes them suitable for almost any situation. Porcelain tiles are also far less porous than stone or ceramic equivalents, making them more resistant to both moisture and staining. Porcelain paving requires


MKM, one of the UK’s leading independent builders’ merchants, is putting stunning paving at the heart of its landscaping offering via its new Porcelain Paving ranges. Eye-catching, durable and easy-to-install, MKM’s Porcelain Paving products are designed to suit a wide range of landscaping projects.


MKM


Larsen, an exclusive range to MKM, Verness, and Sherwood, a natural stone effect and timber effect paver respectively.


Other ranges will be available temperatures,


through suppliers Stonemarket and Global Stone, including a number of large format tiles, which are set to be a hot trend this summer. Large format porcelain usually refers to a tile that is larger than 600 x 600mm, the beauty of this trend is the illusion of space it creates in an outdoor area. The full range of MKM’s Porcelain Paving offering will be on display at Brooke Ceramics at MKM Home. Among the key features on display for homeowners and installers will be Slipstop, a new technology that offers a smoother texture to standard porcelain pavers and is suitable for internal and external applications, delivering a high level of anti- slip performance in wet and dry conditions.


Steve Haigh, Commercial Manager a


different laying technique to natural stone, but is still a simple process. Porcelain needs more cement and a primer to ensure the non-porous material bonds to the mortar base. This has resulted in many landscaping specialists expanding their skill base to offer this striking alternative to standard stone or concrete paving. It is always


recommended that


homeowners choose a landscaper skilled in laying porcelain paving, to ensure a flawless, high-end look. MKM is partnering with three key


suppliers for its porcelain paving offering with the core range being offered through Brooke Ceramics at MKM Home. Brookes Ceramics was acquired by MKM Building Supplies in 2019, and will unveil its new state- of-the-art showroom in Hull this year. Brookes Ceramics at MKM Home is supplying four key ranges. Serenity,


at Brookes ceramics at MKM Home says: “The advantage of porcelain, aside from being great-looking, is the durability. It stands up really well to wear, making it ideal for application in a whole range of settings. What’s more, for installers, porcelain paving is straight forward to lay.


“It is a misconception by some that


Porcelain pavers are difficult to install. Porcelain tiles can be fixed on a sand and cement wet mix bed for external projects. It requires an application of a cement based priming slurry to the reverse of the slab, then tamp and level. With only a few changes from normal paving installation, it is most important that the slabs are treated with care, by someone with some experience. A few simple steps for some truly stunning paving!”


• For more information about the porcelain paving solutions offered by Brookes Ceramics at MKM Home, visit: https://tile.co.uk


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