Planning a project? With more and more self-builds and developments incorporating patio door systems including sliding doors and bi-folding doors that give complete access from inside the home to the terrace it really is worth spending some time looking at how flooring in particular, can connect inside and outside spaces.

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Not only can flooring create a flow and a wonderful feeling of continuity, with low and recessed thresholds there is little interruption once patio doors are open between internal living area and patio or terrace.  This provides a great opportunity to beautifully blur the boundaries and lines between in and out and whilst it is possible to create stunning areas with different floorings there really is nothing like running the same tile throughout to really transform space making it feel more connected, seamless and open.

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This really is where large format Porcelain tiles come in. Tiles sizes have been increasing over recent years with sizes such as 900 x 900mm or 1200 x 1200mm becoming increasingly popular.  Porcelain large format tiles are the perfect way to transform your space because they offer a brilliant combination of performance, design, size and value.

Firstly Porcelain is incredibly dense and hardwearing – you could expect a Porcelain floor to last for 20 years or more and as a material it works perfectly with underfloor heating systems for internal areas so you can keep that cosy feeling all year round.  For outside areas, it is non-porous so performs well in all weathers come rain or shine and frost isn’t an issue.  In addition, Porcelains are resistant to scratching and fading and they are also very easy to keep clean – a quick jet wash outside and tiles are as good as new. Porcelain also doesn’t require sealing, unlike many natural stones so there is no ongoing maintenance either.

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Porcelain is ideal for underfloor heating systems for inside areas (Connection Clay in 1200 x 1200 Large Format Inside) and is resistant to scratching and fading for outside areas (Connection Clay Textured Tiles in R12 Slip Rating Outside).

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Secondly, there are Porcelain tile collections where the same tile is available in different slip ratings. This is important because the outside tile version will have a more textured surface than the inside tile to give additional grip and the external tile therefore is given a higher rating of an R11 or R12 whereas an inside tile may be an R9 or an R10 slip rating – it’s always worth checking slip ratings to ensure the suitability of the tiles you are interested in.   Both tiles will look the same to the naked eye but if you feel the surface you can tell that they are designed to perform very different jobs.

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Thirdly with continual developments in technology, Porcelain designs mimic other materials brilliantly such as concretes, metals, cements, stone and more so you really can create whatever look you want. Wood effect Porcelain is a perfect example of this, with no sealing, maintenance etc you can still get the look of wood without any ongoing work and it will look amazing for years.

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Another key benefit of continual developments in technology is that tiles are getting bigger.  Large Format tiles are loved by designers and home-owners alike. With tiles sizes of around 900 x 900, 1200 x 1200 becoming more and more specified, you really can create a beautifully seamless transition from in to out.

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And choosing Rectified Porcelain – that simply means that the edges are perfectly straight – means that grout lines are at an absolute minimum – so just a few mm.

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Add to that the fact that with large format porcelains both inside and outside tiles are in the same thickness – around 10mm – and suddenly using a large format tile outside can be a very cost effective option.  Traditional patio slabs are 20mm or 2cm thick and tend to be smaller in size eg 30 x 60 or 45 x 45 as they are heavier.

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It is worth noting that a 10mm thick Porcelain will need to be installed on a solid concrete substrate so preparation is key and you cannot fix direct onto wet concrete, the slab needs to have cured so always speak with your tiler.

There are also some really brilliant and clever innovations in Porcelain. For example some tiles in an R11 slip rating that can be used inside and out – what’s really clever is the surface, they have a  lovely innovative soft feel and with no change in surface texture exactly the same tile can run across your entire project!

So with inside, outside living a concept that is here to stay and the growing trend for outside kitchens continuing, it’s definitely worth taking a look at Porcelain as an option to create that sought after seamless transition and uninterrupted flow of space without compromising on cost and design!

TileHaus specialise in the supply of exquisite Porcelain floor and wall tiles, in particular large format Porcelain tiles, Porcelain tiles for inside and outside and Porcelain slabs.  Our entire collection is on display at our Northamptonshire showroom. We offer a fast turnaround sample service via our website or contact us via live chat, what’s app or phone. The TileHaus Team are always available to chat to for any advice! We’d be delighted to help with your project! www.tilehaus.co.uk