18/10/2026
PORCELAIN PATIOS – WHY THE SMALL DETAILS MATTER
When investing in premium outdoor porcelain, it’s reasonable to expect a high-quality finish. However, even expensive tiles can have manufacturing tolerances that affect how they should be installed.
On one of our current projects, we identified a consistent dimensional discrepancy of approximately 1mm across the porcelain tiles.
Although this may seem insignificant, without checking and accounting for it during installation, these small differences can accumulate, potentially creating alignment issues of 9–10mm across a patio.
Understanding the correct laying pattern is equally important.
Porcelain manufacturers often specify suitable laying patterns on the packaging or the reverse of the tiles.
These recommendations should not be overlooked.
Depending on the tile’s dimensional accuracy, flatness and manufacturing characteristics, certain staggered patterns, such as brick bond, can increase the risk of lippage.
Lippage occurs when adjacent tiles sit at different heights, creating an uneven surface.
For these particular tiles, a straight, face-to-face laying pattern is the appropriate installation method.
Our approach at Rescape:
✔️ Check tile dimensions and squareness before installation.
✔️ Identify any manufacturing deviations early.
✔️ Follow the manufacturer’s recommended laying pattern.
✔️ Maintain consistent joints and accurate alignment.
✔️ Aim for minimal lippage, working towards a 1mm tolerance wherever practically achievable.
✔️ Ensure the finished surface drains correctly without raised edges unnecessarily obstructing water.
Our view is simple:
You wouldn’t accept excessive lippage on your bathroom floor, so why should outdoor porcelain be any different?
Outdoor installations present different challenges, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for poor workmanship.
A beautiful patio isn’t just about choosing beautiful tiles. It’s about understanding the product and installing it correctly.
Rescape – It’s the details that make the difference.
