Can You Use Porcelain Pavers For Driveway?

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It's always wise to know more about the qualities of the paving material that you want to get for your driveway before making a final decision. In case you're eyeing porcelain pavers, this article is for you. We've asked our paving experts if these pavers are a great choice for your driveway, and here's what they say.

Yes, you can use porcelain pavers, especially those with a thickness of 2 to 3 centimeters. The ideal thickness depends on your expected load and traffic, so it's better to use 3-centimeter porcelain pavers if you have two or more vehicles or heavier ones. Porcelain pavers are durable, affordable, easy to maintain, and provide you with nice visual effects to make your driveway look exceptional.

If you still have some questions about using porcelain pavers in a driveway, don't worry. In this post, we'll discuss the topic in more detail. Continue reading to learn more about the different qualities of porcelain pavers that make them suitable for driveways. We'll also talk about whether porcelain pavers are slippery when wet and if they are worth the money. Let's get started!

Are Porcelain Pavers Good For Driveways?

Let's face it—you need to think about the paving material that you'll use for your driveway a little bit more. Driveways are subjected to higher pressure each time that a vehicle passes over them. Vehicles have heavier weights compared to people who walk on your walkways and patio decks, so the paving material needs to be able to endure this kind of pressure day in and day out.

Aside from strength, common factors to consider include ease of maintenance and repair if the need arises, your particular environmental conditions, cost, and style. You need to know the pertinent details about your chosen paving materials so that you can decide which one is best suited for your driveway.

Porcelain pavers are a common choice for the exterior surface of driveways. Yes, you can use them for this type of pavement. However, you need to be mindful of their thickness so that they have the strength to endure the vehicle traffic and load.

Experts recommend 2-centimeter pavers for light vehicle traffic and 3-centimeter pavers for heavier applications. These porcelain pavers need to be laid over a well-compacted concrete or gravel base to have solid support underneath.

Benefits Of Porcelain Pavers

Pavers are individual units or blocks of paving material with a flat surface. They vary in size, shape, and color. There are different types of pavers based on the material that they are made of.

Porcelain pavers are made of kiln-fired clay. They resemble the look of natural stone and wood because they have been subjected to inkjet printing so they can look exactly like these paving materials.

Here are the outstanding qualities of porcelain pavers that make them great choices for your driveway.

Durable

Porcelain pavers can withstand whatever nature throws at them, so this is one less thing to worry about if you live in an area with unfavorable weather conditions. They can resist damage brought about by heat, frost, snow, and ice. Aside from enduring thermal shock, they also resist salt corrosion and mold.

They are also more durable than wood tiles. They have a compressive strength of 2,200 pounds per slab. This is made possible by advanced manufacturing technology that usually involves the use of high pressure and temperatures to give them enhanced resistance.

Porcelain pavers also have fireproof and anti-slip properties, making them safe for any kind of pavement. If properly installed, water and insects won't be able to penetrate the pavement. This means you won't have to deal with rotting, disintegration, and pest infestation threatening to destroy the structural integrity of your hardscape.

Affordable

Porcelain pavers are budget friendly. You get the elegant look of natural stones such as marble and travertine for less cost. They are also an eco-friendly choice for those who want to go with a wooden look. Opting for porcelain pavers means you can help save trees.

Easy To Maintain

They are also easy to clean and maintain. You can simply use a broom or leaf blower to remove dirt on the surface. You can also mop them with soapy water as needed.

According to experts, these pavers are fade resistant and don't require sealing. This means you can enjoy their beauty for a long time with very minimal effort for maintenance. Their surface resists stains caused by water, salt, and other chemicals. You can easily clean drips and spills so they don't leave unsightly marks on your pavement.

Visual Effects

As mentioned earlier, these pavers can look like wood or natural stones. They are also available in different textures, colors, and finishes to create your desired visual effect. There are so many styles and patterns to choose from, so you can make your driveway stand out. In effect, this will add to your house's curb appeal and increase its value.

When it comes to disadvantages, experts agree that the only drawback of using porcelain pavers is that their installation usually requires professional assistance. Making this your DIY home improvement project, especially if you don't have the necessary skills and experience, can possibly negate all of the benefits that we mentioned above.

Is Porcelain Paving Slippery When Wet?

A slippery driveway is a safety hazard. Accidents resulting in injuries or damage to property can happen. That's why it's important to choose the right kind of paving material so that you can mitigate this risk.

The surface of porcelain pavers is designed to be slip resistant which is why they're safe to use for various outdoor applications, including driveways. Even if it rains or the snow has melted, there is a smaller risk for accidents to happen.

But you have to choose the right kind of porcelain paver. Check their texture in particular. Those with smoother textures are prone to become slippery when wet, so it's better to choose those with a rough and textured finish to offer more slip resistance.

Porcelain pavers are also graded according to their grip factor. The higher the grade, the better their grip and anti-slip properties.

It also helps that porcelain pavers have a less porous surface. They don't allow water to penetrate the pavement, so it stays on top and evaporates. The driveway's slope would also help move the water towards your drainage so that there's no pooling or flooding on your driveway.

Are Porcelain Pavers Worth The Money?

It can cost around $5 to $10 per square foot to install porcelain pavers. Compared to other types of pavers, this is relatively the same amount as bricks and concrete pavers but a lot cheaper than natural stone which can cost between $10 to $30 per square foot.

So, should you want the look of natural stones, you can get porcelain pavers that look exactly like them for half or a third of the cost.

This means that you get an elegant look for your driveway at a more affordable price. It will make your pavement look more attractive which will enhance its look and value. But beyond the aesthetics, you get to enjoy all the other benefits of porcelain pavers.

They are durable, so they can stand up well to whatever environmental conditions are present in your area. Best of all, they require little effort for maintenance, and repairs won't cost you much either. Like other pavers, you just pull out the damaged parts and replace them with the same size and look so that they'll fit like a puzzle.

With porcelain, you won't have to spend as much on upfront costs and even on maintenance and repairs. Plus, your driveway will look great. These are what make porcelain pavers worth the money.

Final Thoughts

Use porcelain pavers that are 3 centimeters thick for your driveway. They have the necessary strength to handle the heavier weight and pressure of vehicle traffic. Aside from this, you'll benefit from these pavers' durability, affordability, visual effects, and ease of maintenance.

Before you go, be sure to take a look at these other posts:

Are porcelain pavers good for pool decks

Can You Repair Cracked Pavers? [And How To]