Archatrak porcelain pavers provide landscape architects, designers, and contractors with a range of colors and styles unmatched by most traditional paving materials for on-grade landscaping, patios, plazas, and pedestrian environments.
From stone and wood looks to cement-inspired finishes and rustic cobblestone styles, porcelain pavers enhance outdoor living spaces with refined surface consistency, long-term durability, and low-maintenance performance. From small 4″ x 4″ cobblestone blocks and modular pavers to wood-look planks up to 72″ long and hexagonal specialty shapes, porcelain pavers offer exceptional format versatility across patios, courtyards, walkways, pool decks, and open landscape areas.
Why choose porcelain pavers for patios and landscapes:
- Unmatched design flexibility: Available in a broad range of colors, styles, sizes, and formats, porcelain pavers create timeless outdoor spaces aligned with virtually any design vision.
- Comfortable outdoor living performance: Porcelain remains cool underfoot in direct sunlight and provides a smooth, slip-resistant surface when wet, perfect for high traffic areas and pool decks.
- Durable performance in exposed exterior conditions: Low water absorption and resistance to frost, staining, fading, mold, and mildew ensure reliable long-term performance.
- Low-maintenance surface stability: Porcelain maintains color and surface integrity without sealing or ongoing treatments, reducing upkeep compared to travertine, limestone, slate, and concrete paving.
Porcelain Pavers Over Sand or Compacted Gravel
For most residential patios and commercial pedestrian applications, Archatrak 2cm T20 porcelain pavers can be laid directly over a well-compacted gravel base with a screeded leveling sand layer. Porcelain pavers allow a high-end finish that is not attainable with other hardscape pavers.
For areas subject to heavier loads or occasional light vehicular traffic, 3cm T30 porcelain pavers are generally recommended to provide increased breaking strength and structural reliability.
Use flat-bottom tile spacers to maintain consistent joint spacing and alignment. Install perimeter edge restraint around the paved area to prevent movement. Joints are typically filled with polymeric sand to enhance stability and reduce joint washout.
Mortar Set Porcelain Pavers
For commercial landscape paving applications with high pedestrian traffic or moderate vehicular use, porcelain pavers are typically set in mortar over a properly prepared and reinforced concrete slab designed in accordance with local codes. This method provides a stable, rigid assembly suited to plazas, courtyards, and driveway areas.
Archatrak 2cm T20 porcelain pavers are commonly specified for mortar-set installations. Where increased structural capacity is required, 3cm T30 porcelain pavers provide significantly higher breaking strength while maintaining the same refined surface consistency.
Many Archatrak porcelain paver colors are available in multiple sizes, allowing varied laying patterns and more dynamic visual layouts within mortar-set assemblies.
Porcelain Pavers over Existing Concrete
Existing concrete patios, balconies, and terraces can be resurfaced quickly by installing porcelain pavers over stackable rubber support pads placed beneath each corner. Pads can be used over most structurally sound concrete surfaces, including cracked slabs, provided they are not positioned directly across active cracks that could affect long-term stability.
Pad-supported porcelain pavers allow water to drain freely beneath the surface, helping reduce surface pooling while limiting the potential for moss or mildew growth. The rubber composition also resists slipping, reduces noise transmission, and provides a degree of shock absorption compared to rigid plastic spacers.
On sloped substrates where a level surface is required, pads can be stacked up to approximately 1 ½”. For fine adjustments, thin rubber shims may be used. For greater height build-up, adjustable pedestal systems are typically recommended.
Porcelain Pavers in Grass
Square, rectangular, and hexagonal porcelain pavers can be used as stepping stones or landscape pavers set within grassed areas. Hexagonal formats create visually distinctive pathways, while longer plank-style pavers in 8″, 12″, or 16″ widths can define more structured walk lines across larger lawn areas.
For installation, pavers may be placed after removing surface grass and roots. For improved stability and long-term performance, excavate several inches of soil, partially backfill with compacted sand, and level the surface before setting the pavers. Lay pavers deep enough to avoid interference with mower blades.
Porcelain Cobblestone Pavers and Blocks
For landscape paving projects that call for texture and character, cobblestones deliver timeless visual impact. Archatrak offers two distinct porcelain cobblestone options, combining the traditional appearance of hand-hewn stone with the dimensional consistency and durability of porcelain.
Cobblestone Pavers
Available in 8″ x 8″ and 12″ x 8″ formats at 2cm thickness, these pavers feature textured surfaces and subtly irregular edges that replicate the look of traditional stone sets.
They may be laid over compacted sand or gravel for pedestrian landscape applications. For driveway or vehicular installations, mortar-setting over a reinforced concrete slab is recommended.
Cobblestone Blocks
Archatrak cobblestone blocks are compact 4″ x 4″ units at 6cm thickness, designed to resemble traditional stone cobbles while offering precise dimensional control for faster installation.
Blocks may be dry-laid over a prepared aggregate or concrete base with polymeric sand joints, or mortar-set over concrete where greater structural stability is required.
Porcelain pavers are commonly used for patios, walkways, courtyards, plazas, pool decks, garden paths, and other pedestrian landscape areas. Their wide range of sizes, textures, and colors allows designers to coordinate paving with surrounding architecture and planting.
They can also be specified for areas subject to occasional light vehicle traffic when thicker pavers and appropriate installation methods are used.
Porcelain pavers can be installed using several methods depending on the project requirements.
Common installation approaches include laying pavers over compacted gravel with a leveling sand layer, installing over rubber support pads on existing concrete slabs, setting pavers in grass as steppingstones, or mortar-setting over reinforced concrete for high-traffic areas.
Yes. Porcelain pavers are extremely dense and have very low water absorption, which helps them resist freeze-thaw damage, staining, fading, mold, and mildew
Their hard-wearing surface also resists scratching and everyday wear, making them suitable for patios, walkways, plazas, and other exposed outdoor environments.
No. Unlike many natural stone or concrete paving materials, porcelain pavers typically do not require sealing.
Routine maintenance generally involves occasional cleaning with water and mild detergent to remove dirt or debris, making porcelain a low-maintenance option for landscape paving.
For most patios, walkways, and pedestrian landscape areas, 2cm thick porcelain pavers are commonly used when installed over compacted sand and gravel bases.
Where additional strength is needed, such as areas subject to occasional vehicle loading, 3cm thick porcelain pavers are often recommended to provide increased structural capacity.
Related Systems
-
FRP Grating for Elevated Stone & Paver Roof Decks
Molded FRP panels make a highly stable elevated support platform for a variety of paving materials.
-
FRP for Data Centers and Industrial Applications
Molded FRP grating is an excellent choice for a variety of industrial applications.
-
Balcony Pavers
Highly aesthetic and durable porcelain roof pavers in varying sizes and thicknesses.
-
Solar Bollard Lighting
Fully sealed and self-contained, these fixtures provide continuous, full-power lighting from dusk until dawn, 365 days a year, without trenching, conduit, or grid power.
