Porcelain paved roof terrace

Using Porcelain Paving on Outdoor Steps, Stairs, and Ramps

Porcelain is one of the most popular paving materials on the market and often the preferred choice for specifiers, architects and other construction professionals looking for a high-performance material with a strong visual appeal. Having established that it is an excellent option for balconies and similar paved surfaces, we wanted to explore other applications. In this article, we discuss porcelain paving in the context of outdoor steps, stairs, and ramps, and help you determine whether it is right for your next project.

Why choose porcelain paving for outdoor surfaces?

Several performance characteristics and qualities make porcelain ideal for outdoor surfaces, including steps, stairs and ramps. These include the following:

Durability

During manufacture, porcelain goes through a process known as vitrification, which involves heating the constituent ingredients to high temperatures and then rapidly cooling them. As this occurs, the material is reconfigured, resulting in strong bonds and a remarkably sturdy structure. Consequently, porcelain is an extremely durable paving material and well-suited to outdoor tiles for steps. It is scratch-resistant and stands up to general wear and tear, making it a long-lasting paving material that will outlive almost all alternatives.

Weather resistance

The vitrification process also creates a material with zero porosity. This term refers to materials with a water absorption rate of less than 1%. Zero porosity is a desirable quality in materials intended for use in wet conditions, such as outdoor steps on paved areas, as it prevents pavers from absorbing water and becoming discoloured, stained or otherwise diminished. In colder climates, it also ensures regular freeze-thaw cycles do not damage the tiles by creating and exploiting cracks in the material. On the other end of the spectrum, porcelain responds well to prolonged sun exposure and is fade-resistant.

Slip resistance

Outdoor stairs are a transitional space – their primary purpose is to facilitate safe movement from one area to another. As such, they play a functional role, and successful project planning and implementation depend on specific performance characteristics. Chief among these is good slip resistance. Porcelain is notable for its excellent slip resistance, as demonstrated by the “low risk of slip” rating all RYNO porcelain pavers achieve in the BS EN 16165:2021 Annex C (previously BS 7976:2002) pendulum test.[1] 

Well worth noting that the minimum value to be classified as having low slip potential is 36PTV. 

Low maintenance

Outdoor surfaces must be low maintenance to retain the quality of their finish without placing a significant burden on the property owner or occupier. High maintenance requirements add to the overall lifetime cost of a paving installation while simultaneously increasing the likelihood of damage or material degradation due to improper or insufficient care. Porcelain requires next to no maintenance, ensuring it meets these criteria. Besides keeping the surface clear of debris and occasionally hosing it down, there are no other maintenance demands. This contrasts with other materials, such as natural stone, which regularly require special treatments.

Aesthetic appeal

Of course, functional performance is nothing without aesthetic appeal. Though outdoor porcelain steps are a practical design feature, they contribute to a project’s overall look and feel. Porcelain excels in this respect, too. Available in diverse finishes, ranging from natural stone-look to wood-effect, porcelain pavers are a versatile choice that gives designers and specifiers complete creative freedom.

Additional considerations

In addition to porcelain’s core performance characteristics, you must consider two other factors when using the material as stair tiles.

Installation

Proper installation is necessary to achieve stable, long-lasting finish. While porcelain pavers are easy to install and work with, it is often best to partner with approved installers who understand the application, the system you are employing, have experience with porcelain and can tile with mortar on stairs as well as with the appropriate pedestal or rail system on other surfaces. It goes without saying that appropriate substrate preparation and the use of the right components will play a major role in the quality of the final finish you achieve.

Edge detailing

Although applicable to all paved areas, outdoor porcelain steps and stairs are more complex and detailed than large flat areas and may require advanced techniques, such as edge detailing. As porcelain is a versatile material, this is not an issue. However, it does require experience and paving expertise. Edge detailing ensures a smooth transition between steps, reduces trip risks, and adds to the overall aesthetic appeal.

Using porcelain for paved ramps

Porcelain is great for use on paved ramps due to its durability, slip-resistance, weather resistance and low maintenance requirements. Sloped surfaces affect the construction techniques required. Paved ramps should be built on rail-based systems as these can provide the necessary gradual slope, support, and durability: the TerraSmart® Rail Paving System is a perfect candidate for this type of application.

While pedestal systems facilitate even weight distribution and offer ample support for flat surfaces, angled surfaces are more problematic. Force is not directed directly downwards, through the centre of the pedestal shaft, but at an angle. This results in an uneven load on the substructure, which is why a rail-based system is advisable in these circumstances. Rail-based systems, such as TerraSmart® Rail, avoid this issue by employing a lattice-like structure that acts as a rigid frame for tiles. In doing so, it enables the construction of a steady, strong, and structurally sound ramp.

Choosing between a rail and pedestal paving system

Depending on application, especially with regards to dealing with uneven surfaces, inclines, ramps, and step-changes in elevation, it is important to make the right choice of substructure to achieve a strong, tight-fitting, flush, and long-lasting finish.

When the paving area is level, using a fixed head paving pedestal will achieve the desired outcome. Uneven surfaces can be mitigated through vertical adjustment – our adjustable paving support pedestals (the RPF and RP-FR) offer this functionality – whilst slight inclines can be easily accommodated by switching to a self-levelling pedestals – our RPA and RPA-FR offer both height adjustment and slope correction with a locking mechanism to. Low-height build-ups can be achieved using stackable paving supports – the RPS and RPS-FR, both of which are stackable can accommodate build-ups starting as low as 10mm and increasing in as little as 2mm increments.

There are a range of accessories to complement each system and application, from base shock pads to EPDM strips for noise suppression, and paving spacers in varying thickness options to give you a perfect finish in every sense.

Remember to comply with fire-safety regulations by specifying a non-combustible pedestal and system for any project over 11m.

High-trafficked, load-bearing projects should feature a rail system, as described above.

It is also worth noting here that large projects, involving a combination of flat surfaces, ramps and steps can feature a mix of different systems, substructures, pedestals, and rails, as these are designed to offer the specifier the necessary design flexibility to achieve seamless integration for an aesthetically impressive outcome. It is worth noting that while steps can be created using a rail system, it is always advisable to pave steps using a traditional lay on mortar.

Check with one of our experts if you have any questions.

Perimeter Detailing

For a paving system’s longevity, perimeter detailing is one of the most important aspects of the design. If a 10mm-12mm perimeter gap is installed without restraint this will result in movement over time, causing the gaps to open and create a critical health and safety hazard. 

In fact, perimeter detailing is one of the most common causes of failure for paving on pedestals. This is why we always recommend using an edge spring clip to maintain the perimeter gap of the paved area. The spring adds tension to the paving by pushing the pavers to the centre, maintaining the uniform gaps between the flags. 

Commonly overlooked as an insignificant component, edge spring clips can make or break a successful paving design when using paving on pedestals.

Dealing with high winds

Adverse weather conditions and high winds can affect outdoor paved areas. Any application from the 1st floor upwards can be prone to the effects of strong winds, with wind-uplift being of particular concern.

It’s worth noting that wind uplift can cause significant structural damage to balconies and terraces. At the same time, affected pavers and components can become unsafe and endanger the public. If appropriate measures are not in place, the property owner or developer is liable for any repair and remedial costs, as well as any harm to individuals in the vicinity.

To be certain, we always advise talking to an expert who can determine whether the area is at risk of wind uplift and recommend the best solution.

We offer mechanical visual and hidden fixings that can be added to the system on specification, as well as visual fixings that can be retrofitted on demand to secure a project that may be at risk.

If you have any questions or concerns, reach out.

Porcelain Paving with RYNO

Our range of porcelain pavers is perfect for designs featuring steps, stairs, and ramps. All our pavers provide you with the performance benefits detailed in this article and are available in an astounding variety of striking finishes, from wood-effect to metal-look. Our TerraSmart® Rail system facilitates the creation of safe and stable paved ramps and our advanced components contribute to industry-leading substructures and support systems for your porcelain pavers.

Learn more about our paving systems or contact the RYNO team to discuss how our solutions can benefit your paving project today.

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