Posh Porcelain

I absolutely LOVE this patio… this use of Porcelain in general. It is bright, with great contrast to the contemporary fence line and beautifully brings the plants to LIFE! I could say so much more about it, but the reason for this post goes deeper…

Porcelain is often sold (I am certain that it was not in the award winning case shown above) as a maintenance free and non-slip product. WRONG!

Nothing is maintenance free, and even superhumans can slip on ice? Porcelain looks lovely, and is available in a massive range of colour hues, so no surprise that it is so popular these days. I just feel it is a choice to be considered carefully.

It can be slippery when cold.

It can be blisteringly hot when… well, hot.

It is available in a disappointedly wide range of quality (full bodied like a wine wine, or otherwise).

It has been proven to increase the atmospheric temperature (with effects on people and plants).

It is slower to install (properly).

It is more expensive, all round, than natural stone.

Is it a superior product to natural stone alternative? Yes, I still think so, generally.

100% it shas its place in modern, contemporary gardens with their clean lines. Perhaps less so in traditional alternatives. I certainly think some choices can beautifully blend in naturalistic settings.

Should be a place for nature and natural materials in all gardens? I might explore this topic more in the near future.