Thickness matters more than you think!
When designing an outdoor space, the choice between pavers and tiles can greatly affect your project’s durability, cost, and overall look. While both offer functional and decorative benefits, thickness plays a critical role.
Are your tiles or pavers purely decorative, or do they need to be weight-bearing?
We take these factors into account to recommend the perfect option, ensuring your outdoor surface stands up to Australia’s harsh conditions.
Pavers are generally 20mm thick or more, built for strength, durability, and long-term outdoor use.
Tiles, on the other hand, are typically under 20mm thick, making them lighter and better suited to specific applications where weight or height clearance is a factor.
Both pavers and tiles can be crafted from natural stone or porcelain, but their thickness determines how — and where — they should be installed:
- Porcelain pavers are manufactured at a maximum thickness of 20mm.
- Concrete pavers usually start from 40mm.
- Clay pavers begin at around 50mm.
Thickness impacts not only installation methods, but also the strength, load-bearing capacity, and overall performance of your outdoor surface.
Why We Recommend Pavers for Outdoor Use
1. Built for Strength
- Pavers are ideal for driveways and high-traffic areas.
- Natural stone pavers offer both performance and aesthetically pleasing outcomes in outdoor entertaining spaces and pool surrounds.
2. Versatile Installation Options
- Can be laid on compacted road base and sand.
- Can also be laid on a mortar bed over a concrete slab for added stability.
3. Easy Maintenance
- Individual pavers can be lifted and replaced with minimal disruption.
4. Versatile
- Less prone to cracking, chipping, or breakage from pressure, weathering, or ground movement.
When Tiles Are Still a Good Choice
While pavers are usually the better choice for outdoor areas, tiles still offer value in the right situations.
1. Lightweight for Structural Surfaces
- Ideal for balconies, rooftops, or areas where weight is restricted.
2. Clean, Sleek Aesthetic
- Natural stone tiles provide the same aesthetics as natural stone pavers.
3. Great for Existing Concrete Slabs
- Tiles can be installed directly onto slabs using adhesive, saving time and effort where structure already exists.
Installation & Cost Considerations
Pavers (20mm+)
- Installed on compacted road base and sand, or mortar bed.
- Handle heavy loads with ease.
- Easier to replace and maintain.
- Higher upfront cost, lower lifetime cost.
Tiles (<20mm)
- Require a solid concrete slab and adhesive.
- Suitable for light foot traffic only.
- Repairs are more complex and disruptive.
- Lower upfront cost, but may involve higher prep costs.
Final Thoughts: Choose Pavers for Long-Term Performance
For most outdoor projects, pavers offer better durability, flexibility, and long-term value. Whether it’s concrete pavers for your alfresco, granite pavers for your driveway, limestone pavers for your patio, or marble pavers for around your pool, pavers are built to perform and last.
Tiles still serve a purpose—particularly when weight, height restrictions, or existing concrete slabs come into play. That’s why we supply both natural stone pavers and tiles to suit your structure and style.
At Outdoor & General, we offer a range of premium natural stone pavers and tiles, and we recommend pavers as the ideal choice for outdoor areas, especially when a durable stone paver like granite, is required for heavy load bearing tasks.
