Posted in Minoli
28th November 2022
Trend 05 – Optimising Outdoor Spaces.
In response to the ever-increasing demand from house builders, property developers, garden designers, professional landscapers and residential homeowners, the leading producers of Italian porcelain have focused investment into the design and delivery of outstanding new technically advanced outdoor porcelain paving.
From the leading production plants in Italy, these ranges feature the latest in tile manufacturing methodologies. Advancements in production allow for more expansive sizes, 20 mm thickness, increased load bearing and frost resistance, anti-slip qualities and higher-definition surface design, resulting in an unprecedented diversity of textures and finishes.
In concrete and wood effects through to those that emulate natural stone and now marble, many in the extensive Outdoor By Minoli collection have coordinating interior tiles to match, so very consistent indoor to outside transitions can be achieved. A 9 mm indoor tile, which may be matt or gloss and easy to clean, is coordinated with a grippy, 20 mm external counterpart with a higher slip-resistance rating, such as those ranging R11 to R13.
New designs, colours and finishes have also seen porcelain paving considered for and used in a much wider range of exterior surface settings including patios, terraces, driveways and paths but also balconies, stairways, swimming pool surrounds and outdoor kitchens, for instance. This is in part made possible by the introduction of alternative fixing solutions. Alongside using traditional adhesive and grout, given the weight and strength of 20 mm porcelain, these pavers can also be laid to grass or earth, or installed onto new pedestal systems which offer improved drainage and easier access to pipework or cabling.
Progressive manufacturing and transportation techniques have enabled more innovative architectural applications. Cutting-edge ranges are now available in larger calibrated formats of up to 120/240 and with clean-cut rectified edges, which allows for very precise and near-seamless installation. Beyond residential applications, this has made porcelain pavers particularly attractive for use in commercial and hospitality venues as well, where more expansive areas need to be finished with a highly durable, safe and low maintenance product.
Another important consideration in modern building specifications is the sustainability of both the materials used in construction and the performance of the final built environment. Porcelain paving is manufactured according to energy and water-efficiency criteria, and it is an environmentally friendly choice due to its long-lasting and recyclable characteristics. Furthermore, its production is ‘zero waste’, based on the use of natural and always reusable materials, and porcelain pavers do not contain any volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, PVC, plastics or petroleum derivatives.
Launched as a brand-new series earlier this year, the Outdoor By Minoli Collection features 10 distinct ranges, comprising over 40 individual product lines, specifically manufactured for use outside and held in UK stock ready for prompt delivery. Beyond this extensive UK stockholding in our centrally located Oxford warehouse, such is the traction of this trend for optimising outdoor spaces, a further 80+ product lines are available for order from our leading production plants in Italy.
The latest ranges in stone-effect include Elysian which elevates stoneware to new levels of architectural and aesthetic appeal, and Aix which is inspired by the limestone of the Mediterranean region. These ranges that fuse an organic appearance with precision production techniques, allow for classic materials to be used within more contemporary and technical designs.
With the look of perfectly poured concrete, ranges like Glocal and Boost have outdoor structured surfaces, but without being rough to the touch. Being premium, porcelain products, they bring a sense of indulgent, urban luxury and a modern, technical aesthetic. Lastly, in wood-look, outdoor specification ranges include Twelvenoon and Twenty, with the look of textured timber but with all the advantages of precision-production porcelain.
Set to further accelerate demand for external specification products, later this week we’ll provide a provisional look at forthcoming outdoor porcelain products with a hammered finish marble-effect and an innovative new Vein Cut design.