Maintenance Schedule Comparison: Porcelain vs Traditional Paving
I Garden Vision • January 21, 2025

Paving: old vs new

The Ultimate Maintenance Guide: Porcelain vs Traditional Paving


When choosing paving for your garden, maintenance often becomes the deciding factor. Let's explore how porcelain and traditional paving compare in terms of care requirements – you might be surprised at the difference.


The Reality of Traditional Paving Maintenance


Traditional paving demands significant attention throughout the year. Your weekly routine starts with thorough sweeping to prevent debris build-up. Monthly, you'll need to tackle persistent weeds that seem to find every joint. Come quarterly, you're looking at hiring a pressure washer for deep cleaning to combat moss and algae.


The real challenge? Every two years, you'll spend a full weekend resealing the surface – weather permitting, of course. Don't forget the annual ritual of repairing joints where sand and cement have worn away. In total, you're looking at 51-64 hours of maintenance annually.


The Porcelain Alternative


Now, imagine spending just 15-21 hours yearly on garden maintenance. That's the porcelain difference. A quick weekly sweep, monthly wash-down with plain water, and occasional inspection are all you need. No sealing. No weeding. No pressure washing.


Real Cost Implications


Traditional paving might seem cost-effective initially, but consider this:

- Annual cleaning supplies: £50-100 for traditional vs £20-30 for porcelain

- Professional cleaning: Required bi-annually for traditional (£200-300) vs optional for porcelain

- Sealing products: £100-150 every two years for traditional vs never for porcelain

- Equipment hire: Regular pressure washer hire for traditional vs none needed for porcelain


Weather Resistance That Makes Sense


British weather can be unpredictable, but your paving maintenance shouldn't be. While traditional paving requires additional care after heavy rain, frost, and summer heat, porcelain remains unaffected. No more rushing out after autumn leaf fall to prevent staining – porcelain's non-porous surface means easier cleaning and no stain worries.


Professional Services: Less Is More


With traditional paving, you're looking at:

- Deep cleaning every six months

- Resealing every two years

- Annual joint repairs

- Regular levelling checks


Porcelain? A professional clean every few years is optional, not essential. The occasional inspection keeps everything in check, but that's about it.


The Choice Is Clear


When you compare maintenance hours (51-64 vs 15-21 annually), costs, and effort, porcelain paving isn't just a premium choice – it's a practical one. Factor in the time you'll save, the reduced need for professional services, and the consistent appearance year after year, and the value becomes evident.


See the Difference Yourself



Visit our NSBRC display in Swindon to compare both options in person. Touch, feel, and see why more British homeowners are choosing porcelain for their gardens. Our experts will guide you through the practical benefits and help you make an informed decision for your outdoor space.


Ready to spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying your garden? Contact us for a free consultation:

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Download our comprehensive maintenance guide:

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Remember: Your garden should be a space for relaxation, not endless maintenance. Choose wisely, choose porcelain.

Rats and your steel deck: What you need to know

By I Garden Vision • March 6, 2025
Firstly, lets understand what attracts rats to your garden. Rats are opportunist creatures and are attracted to gardens for several reasons : Food sources Rats are drawn to gardens with readily available food. This includes fruits, vegetables, seeds, and even pet food left outside. Compost bins and bird feeders can also be significant attractants if not properly managed. Shelter Gardens with dense vegetation, wood piles and clutter provide excellent hiding spots and nesting areas for rodents. Overgrown ivy and thick bushes can offer them the cover they need to feel safe. Water Rats need water to survive, so gardens with birdbaths, ponds or even leaky hoses can attract them. Plant types Certain plants can attract rats. For example, ivy and rose bushes provide excellent cover, while crops like tomatoes and cucumbers are appealing food sources. So lets ask the question: Would a steel deck structure attract rats ? A steel frame deck itself does not inherently attract rats. However, like any decking, they can provide shelter if there are gaps or spaces underneath where rats can hide but they are mostly used as a staging post, a safe stop off from nest to food source. The key is to ensure that the area under the deck is clean and free of food scraps or debris that might attract rats.  Regular maintenance and sealing any gaps can help prevent rats from making a home under your deck. Having an access point to maintain under your deck is useful just to keep check. Rats like to burrow and often live both inside and under sheds, drains, embankments, under rubbish piles, under hedges or shrubs, compost bins / mounds or anywhere that can conceal their activity. So, what deters rats from making your garden their home ? Keep your garden tidy : Regularly trim vegetation and remove any clutter or debris. Secure food sources : Use rat-proof compost bins and bird feeders and avoid leaving pet food outside. Eliminate water sources : Fix and leaks and ensure birdbaths and ponds are well maintained. Use natural repellents : Plants like peppermint, lemongrass and snake plants can help deter rats. Let’s sum things up! - Where there are humans there are rats! There will always be a rat living near or visiting your garden – but don’t blame your deck . Every garden in the UK will get visited, sometimes as often as every night by a rat on the hunt for food, but you probably won’t see them. If you follow the advice given here, they shouldn’t become a problem. Remember to make sure that there is no easy food or water for them to get at or any cosy places for them to sleep. But remember if Mr & Mrs Rat get busy don’t ignore them, they breed rapidly and carry some nasty diseases.

Understanding the DPC and the iFrame System

By I Garden Vision • March 5, 2025
Our iFrame system is specifically designed to maintain the integrity of the damp proof course (DPC). It does not affect or bridge the DPC in anyway. Here’s why: Free-Standing Design : The iFrame system is entirely independent of the house structure. It is not attached, ensuring that airflow is maintained and the system is always breathing. No Capillary Action : Compromising the DPC typically occurs when there is direct contact with the house, which can create capillary action. This phenomenon allows water to ingress and climb during continuous rain, leading to damp issues. However, our system eliminates this risk by avoiding any physical connection with the building. Free - Draining System : Unlike systems that channel rainwater in specific directions, our iFrame system is designed to be free-draining. It ensures water disperses naturally without causing localized pressure or water build-up near the property. Compliance with DPC Standards : On traditional builds, the damp proof course is positioned 150mm below the finished ground level to prevent water ingress. Our system respects this standard, ensuring no interference with the DPC or its functionality. By keeping the system free-standing and non-invasive, we guarantee that the DPC remains uncompromised, providing a robust solution for managing airflow and drainage effectively.