Porcelain Patio Installation in Plymouth: Achieving Beautiful Results
Enjoying every Porcelain Patio we install in Plymouth means so much to us as a Landscaping business. We love to build friendships with our customers, so we know they are completely satisfied with the end result of their Garden Landscaping project. This means they are more than happy to recommend us to friends, family, and neighbours, and even to use our services again for any future garden projects they may need completed.
Quality materials and workmanship are what our business is about: creating stunning end projects that customers are proud to show off!
Project Snapshot: Recommendations & Repeat Custom
The couple on this project were originally recommended to use Jackson Landscaping Ltd by their neighbour, who had previously completed a Slate Patio Installation with us and decided they would also like this for the middle tier of their garden.
For this particular Porcelain Patio Installation in Plymouth, this is the second time they called us around to undertake the transformation of the bottom tier of their garden with a modern, unique approach to patio design.
When we met with the couple to discuss, they had big plans in mind for their duo-tone, framed-effect Porcelain Patio. We bounced ideas around and came to a solution to implement their Patio on their bottom tier in a streamlined, modern way.
The Challenge
Choosing Quality Patio Tiles
At Jackson Landscaping Ltd, we prefer to use locally based patio stockists in Plymouth to ensure products are ordered to the customer’s choice, and designs can be seen ‘in the flesh’. From our experience, choosing the colours for a Porcelain Patio proves to be very difficult online due to colour intolerances on a screen compared to viewing in person. As styles are always changing from suppliers, it also ensures that the Patio styles are up to date with what is currently available, as well as giving a good indication of stock levels and lead times for the job.
Due to the style of this Porcelain Patio Installation in Plymouth, we met with the customers at our preferred stockist. After looking through the design options available at the showroom, they chose the two contrasting styles they wanted. Once we had talked through the ideas together, we agreed that a rectangular tile, rather than a square tile, would be the best fit for this modern picture-framing-effect patio.
Setting the Garden Scene
For this particular Patio Installation in Plymouth, the customers were really looking to finish off their tiered garden with the perfect zones for their garden. The aim was to create each tier with its own beautiful zone, unique from one another; from the greenery planting areas to the seating area, and even a relaxed garden ‘chill-out’ zone.
The couple are certainly green-fingered, and the array of plants they have is simply stunning. They take great pride in growing and keeping the greenery in their garden beautifully, so being able to complement this by finishing off their bottom tier with a beautifully finished Porcelain Patio was an honour and privilege, allowing them to complete the garden and see the end result/vision all tied together.
Out With the Old, In with the New
The bottom tier of this garden was originally home to a small garden pond framed with timber decking, which was looking old and tired and in need of a refresh with a modern Porcelain Patio in Plymouth. We set about creating a new Patio, bespoke to the customer’s wishes, with the two contrasting colour choices. Our vision was to intricately design and implement their ideas to create an area ready to host the centrepiece of their table and chairs. By using the contrasting tiles in a modern ‘picture frame’ design, we implemented a perfectly framed patio area and centre.
The existing steps in this garden, leading from the bottom tier to the middle tier, were uneven and unappealing. To create the steps that tied into the rest of their carefully planned garden, concrete blocks were installed to ensure even height and greater depth for ease of climbing. For the finishing touches, we capped the tops of these steps with the same light grey porcelain tiles used in the majority of the main patio to tie everything together.
Fall & Drainage
During the important planning and setting-out stage before installation can commence, we use our state-of-the-art laser level to ensure the correct falls are established for the finished patio. As a Landscaper, it’s not just about ‘installing a patio’; it’s about creating a fully functional space that works the way it’s intended.
This includes the drainage solution: the fall on the surface was prepared, and we installed AcoDrain, so that any runoff water is carried away correctly. This creates a Porcelain Patio free from pooling and puddles, keeping runoff water away from the property in Plymouth.
The Solution
Starting Work – From the Ground Up
At Jackson Landscaping Ltd, we pride ourselves not just on delivering a stunning end result for a Porcelain Patio in Plymouth, but also on a long-standing, quality installation from the ground up. Levels were recorded, and we set about working on installing the sub-base for this project.
A protective sheet was also installed to provide extra support against the earth’s natural tendency to shift over time. A substantial depth of hard granite sub-base was installed to a total depth of 125mm to provide a strong base for the patio’s future stability. Layers of sub-base were installed and compacted in 50mm increments. Stages like this help provide a stable foundation in preparation for a patio installation, giving end results that withstand the tests of time and weather for years to come.
Beginnings Of a Bespoke Design
Using line-marking paint, we marked out where the centre box design would go and checked with the customers at this early stage, to ensure they were happy with how the design would be mapped out. The stunning dark grey porcelain patio tiles were the first to be laid, marking the start of this bespoke garden design in Plymouth. The dark grey tiles were cut into smaller shapes using a high-precision wet tile cutting machine. This was the beginning part of laying, to create a border perfectly in proportion for the end result.
The first half of this outer border was laid with precision to create a solid foundation for the remainder of the Porcelain Patio. Care at these early stages was essential for the patio to be completed perfectly, in tune with modern and symmetrical aesthetics.
The Elements & Installation
Installing a new Porcelain Patio is helped when the Plymouth weather is on our side. Carrying out a Landscaper job in Devon during the summer would be considered perfection. However, the weather is not guaranteed to be fair for these projects even during the warmer months.
Luckily for us, the sun made an appearance for most of this garden project. The warmer climate accelerated the setting process, whilst the dry spell also made it more enjoyable, without the need to battle with the elements. We are not always this lucky when carrying out Landscaping projects and are used to working in all weathers. Although the weather being on our side is a grace that any Landscaper cherishes!
Obstacles – Manhole Covers
It’s always frustrating when you have a plan on how you would like your Porcelain Patio to look and then have the obstacle of a manhole cover in the way of your garden ideas. As an experienced Landscaper, this is something we see fairly often. An obstacle we can easily overcome is that manhole covers need to remain in their position in the garden.
We removed the existing manhole cover from the corner of their bottom tier and replaced it with a recessed manhole cover. We often use these recessed manhole covers, and as you can see, it fits seamlessly into the Porcelain Patio design for this garden in Plymouth. These covers have a minimal edge, and porcelain tiles are cut to fill the cover perfectly, ensuring minimal impact on the overall visuals of the design.
The Results
Finishing Touches – Colour Resin-Cement Jointing
At Jackson Landscaping Ltd, we believe quality materials are of great importance to create a fantastic end result. This is why we use Kerakoll Fugabella Colour Resin-Cement High Flexibility Grout on our Porcelain Patio projects in Plymouth.
Fugabella is an easy choice for us due to its resilience qualities and the pristine finish it offers. This choice of material for the jointing on the porcelain patios we install, complements beautifully due to the vast range of colours available to choose from. Depending on the overall design wanted to achieve, this could be a contrasting colour to the porcelain tile or as close a match as possible to give that streamlined finish.
Applying Contrasting Jointing
For this bespoke Porcelain Patio project in Plymouth, the whole design was based around the duo of contrasting light and grey tiles. The contrast was made more impactful by the darker grey internal centre square and the outline border.
With this in mind, we liaised with our customers and agreed that a close match jointing to each of the contrasting tiles was the way to go to complete the overall impactful patio design. Both colours of jointing were carefully and intricately applied to the corresponding porcelain tile, defining the clean edges and contrast between the two porcelain tile choices.
The properties of the Kerakoll Fugabella Colour Resin-Cement High Flexibility Grout are perfect in complementing Porcelain Patios at the finishing stage. This is due to the properties it boasts, including colour uniformity, surface hardness, good water repellence, low water consumption, and even resistance to the most common acidic substances.
Spotlessly Clean
During and after applying the resin-cement jointing in gardens on Patio projects in Plymouth, meticulous cleaning is required throughout the process. Here, cleaning throughout the jointing process ensured a beautifully clean finish, as you can see on the finished image.
Porcelain Patio – Completion
As the final porcelain tile was placed in situ, the true scope of the modern design was unveiled. The end result of this Porcelain Patio in Plymouth was just stunning, mirroring our customers’ ideas and aspirations.
The finished bespoke duo-coloured porcelain patio design exemplified perfect unity. Unity from fulfilling the brief, communicating with the customer, careful planning, selecting quality materials, and dedicated, careful workmanship.
Happy Customer, Job Satisfaction
As a Landscape Gardener in Plymouth, there is no greater joy than seeing a customer’s eyes light up with joy as they take in the beauty of their new Porcelain Patio. Seeing the initial shared vision discussions we had turn into a reality to enjoy was amazing.
The bottom tier of their garden was no longer an uninspiring space but had been transformed into an extension of their home. Their garden table and chairs were now ready to set up in the centre of their framed Porcelain Patio.
Creating an outdoor dining area ready to enjoy the warmer months with friends and family, the light grey porcelain tiles lifted and brightened up the whole garden space. The introduction of darker grey porcelain tile accents on this patio complements the bespoke design’s uniqueness and modernity. With their personal style and ideas put forward and our combined imagination and hard work, it really showcases how an idea for your Porcelain Patio can be brought to life.
At Jackson Landscaping Ltd, we pride ourselves on happy customers and job satisfaction. Our aim is to create a patio project that not only meets our customers’ expectations but surpasses them. For this garden patio project in Plymouth, there was a fine balance between skill, care, and attention to detail that went above expectations to create a garden space that combined beauty and functionality.
Looking to Install a Patio in Plymouth, Devon or Cornwall?
If you’re looking for professional Patio or Paving Layers in Plymouth, South Devon, or East Cornwall, Jackson Landscaping Ltd are here to help.
As one of the Three Best Rated Landscape Gardeners in Plymouth, a member of the Association of Professional Landscapers, and Trustmark Endorsed, we are proud to provide high-quality Patios and Paving Installations that are designed to look stunning whilst withstanding the test of time. Contact us today to book a free site survey and request a no-obligation quote.
We look forward to bringing your garden design ideas to life!
