Spring not only has people thinking about what they want to grow over the coming year, but it is also the time when thoughts can turn to all sorts of yard improvements with hardscaping being one of them. Weston Nurseries are authorized dealers of manufactured products by Cambridge with ArmorTec® and Techo-Bloc which have allowed customers to enhance their outdoor spaces with attractive patios, walkways and walls made from concrete pavers, slabs and wall blocks. Weston Nurseries is pleased to extend the variety of hardscaping products by now carrying Arterra Premium Porcelain Pavers and Natural Stone Pavers from MSI.
While we New Englanders are familiar with concrete pavers and natural stone, like Granite and Bluestone, as paving materials that easily complement the style of architecture traditionally found here, using outdoor porcelain pavers outdoors might not be the first thing that springs to mind. We are used to seeing porcelain indoors in our kitchens and bathrooms, but it is a surprisingly versatile material that can be effectively used outdoors for patios and walkways; and while it can easily suggest a smooth transition from indoor to outdoor living, particularly with the trend for outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, its many features and qualities make it a great choice for overall outdoor applications.
The benefits of Outdoor Premium Porcelain Pavers are several:
They are an eco-conscious choice from the perspective of being composed of a blend of natural clay, sand, feldspar and minerals. In turn this also has a health benefit in that porcelain tiles do not give off any harmful chemical emissions as well as their non-porous surface is naturally resistant to the growth of bacteria, mold, fungi and mildew.
The manufacturing process also allows for a realistic appearance of natural stone or any other desired material such as wood, enabling the installation of a quality product at a more budget-friendly price point. They also come with a lifetime warranty for retail purchasers as outdoor porcelain pavers are particularly hard wearing and easy-care. In fact, outdoor porcelain pavers not only wear extremely well, but they do not fade, stain or need sealing, thus making them a particularly enduring paving material. As they are not porous, spills can easily be wiped up with no staining.
They are also 100% UV and freeze/thaw resistant which means they maintain their appearance with no degeneration over time. Outdoor porcelain pavers are strong and will resist chipping, cracking or breaking when properly installed. Aarterra premium porcelain pavers are also created with MSI ZeroSlip™ technology which gives the pavers slip resistance on both wet and dry surfaces. Therefore, they are an ideal choice for around pools.
Installation is easy: they can be set on compacted sand (with or without a gravel base layer depending on location) or with mortar on a concrete bed. Another option is to use the Alliance Gator Base panel. As they are a hard material, a wet cut tile saw with a diamond blade is needed to cut them. Note that the pavers themselves should not be compacted with a plate compactor – any leveling of the leveling course(s) should be done before laying the pavers. A space of 4mm (about 0.16 in.) between pavers is necessary, and the use of spacers is strongly recommended. Sealing of the gaps between pavers should be done with resin joint sand. For pedestrian traffic, pavers can be set over compacted gravel and sand. For more information, please contact our staff who will show you samples and answer any further questions.
