The majority of the UK market is dominated by Indian porcelain paving slabs
Indian porcelain paving slabs are manufactured by globally high standards, comparable to any country. However, the design of Indian porcelain paving slabs slightly lags behind Italian counterparts, with surface textures imitating natural stone exhibiting a slightly weaker expressive quality. As India is a major producer of stone, and the cutting technology for stone slabs is comparable worldwide due to the similarity in infrared cutting machine technology, the cutting precision of Indian porcelain paving slabs is on par with Italian porcelain slabs.
The production method for Indian porcelain paving slabs mirrors that of European porcelain tiles. Chinese equipment manufacturers provide high-pressure presses and kilns that adhere to the highest global standards. Given India's leadership in global slab production, major factories have made significant investments in cutting-edge automated equipment. This ensures that the quality of their products meets the rigorous standards set by European CE or American ASTM standards.
The economic development level in India determines that labor costs are exceptionally low, around £1 per hour. Hence, Indian porcelain paving slabs possess an unparalleled price advantage. The retail price range for 20 mm outdoor Indian porcelain tiles in the UK should be between £19 - £29 per square metre including VAT. If retailers charge higher prices, they may mislead consumers, attempting to create a false impression that the purchased porcelain slabs are of Italian origin due to the higher price tag.
Due to the popularity of Indian sandstone in the UK, Indian sandstone merchants can provide more design inspiration to Indian porcelain factories. For example, the Kandla Grey sandstone effect porcelain and Brazilian Black Slate Effect Porcelain are innovations by Indian designers. These designs are the most popular varieties in the UK. Indian designers are diligent and practical; they may not lead the trend, but they may be world leaders in imitating the design of natural stones.
Indian porcelain manufacturers often visit the UK. Every year, we host sales directors or design directors from major Indian factories. They visit the UK merchants and building material stores, listen to customer needs, and bring market feedback back to the factory. This customer-centric marketing strategy is unparalleled in the tile industry of any other country.
We sell products from India's largest Simola factory under the factory brand Simola®. We do not sell re-branded products from small factories because these small factories may use second-hand old equipment, leading to inaccurate control of pressure, temperature, thickness, and cutting precision. Additionally, there is a higher probability of repeated patterns in each design from small factories. The range of design patterns offered by small factories is more limited, whereas large factories provide 24 unique patterns for each design of natural stone imitation.
Italian porcelain paving paving
When considering the purchase of Italian porcelain paving slabs, the first thing to take into account is to increase your budget 1.8 - 2.5 times compared to Indian porcelain slabs. The high labor costs of European workers determine the elevated prices of Italian tiles.
What you are buying is world-leading pattern design and texture surfaces. Currently, Italy leads the world in the field of design and technology for imitating natural stone textures. No other country can surpass it, representing the trends in global garden tiles design.
Italian porcelain paving is manufactured to the highest quality standards, featuring more realistic texture surfaces, leading-edge finishes, and a more authentic imitation of natural stone, beyond its trend-setting design and finishes. Unfortunately, from our 20 years of paving industry experience, there is nothing particularly exceptional in terms of density, water absorption rate, and compressive strength compared to other countries.
The price range for Italian porcelain paving should be between 1.8 - 2.5 times compared to Indian porcelain slabs. The significant cost of Italian slabs largely pays for high wages and designer salaries. If there is value for money, it lies primarily in imitating the texture of natural stone.
When Italian manufacturers are asked at exhibitions why their prices are high, the most common response is: because it's made in Italy, and retailers can earn a higher markup. If you highly value a distinctive effect and take pride in introducing Italian porcelain tiles to friends visiting your patio garden, or if you're a celebrity seeking a sense of pride, then purchasing Italian porcelain slabs may be worthwhile beyond the imitation of natural stone texture surface.
In the benefits of resistance to frost, salts, chemicals, water stains, algae, mold, and moss, Italian outdoor porcelain tiles are no different from tiles produced in other countries around the world. All porcelain tiles produced according to standards can be done perfectly.
What Chinese Porcelain Tiles Are in the UK?
China is globally recognised for its world-leading porcelain tile manufacturing technology and production standards. Known for superior quality and outstanding cost performance, Chinese tiles have become a source of concern for manufacturers worldwide. Compared to Indian-made tiles, Chinese porcelain tiles offer significantly higher quality, rivaling even the standards of many European producers. Furthermore, China's immense domestic demand enables its factories to operate on a massive scale, driving down production costs through economies of scale.
Foshan, in Guangdong Province, is widely regarded as the global capital of ceramic and porcelain tile production. At its peak, this region accounted for nearly half of the world’s output. However, since 2011, the European Union imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese ceramic and porcelain tiles, with rates ranging from 26.3% to 69.7%. After Brexit, the UK initially adopted similar trade measures, limiting the entry of Chinese tiles into the British market.
Now, with certain anti-dumping measures being lifted for specific sizes and categories, Chinese porcelain tiles are poised to make a strong return to the UK. Given their unmatched product quality, modern technology, and competitive pricing, Chinese tiles are set to reshape the landscape of the UK paving and tiling industry.
China remains a dominant force in global ceramic and porcelain machinery and production lines, with its high-tech equipment widely adopted across the industry. As trade restrictions ease, UK consumers and businesses alike can expect to see more Chinese porcelain tiles on the market—bringing innovation, quality, and value.
Is European Porcelain Better Than Asian Porcelain?
Some European countries are well-known for producing outdoor porcelain tiles, and many customers naturally wonder whether their products are of higher quality than those made in Asia.
This question, however, is more complex than it seems—and one that most UK industry professionals would hesitate to answer directly.
To put things into perspective, consider the electronic devices you use daily—your smartphone, TV, or home appliances. Leading global brands like Apple, Samsung, LG, DJI, Xiaomi, and OPPO all manufacture their products in Asia, including countries such as China, India, Vietnam, and Taiwan area. In fact, many of the core components used in these devices are also sourced from or assembled in Asia.
The truth is, the manufacturing capabilities in Asia—particularly in China—have advanced dramatically over the past few decades. With world-class facilities, cutting-edge technology, and massive production scale, Asian manufacturers are fully capable of producing top-tier porcelain tiles that meet or exceed international quality standards.
While "Made in Europe" may still carry a certain prestige in some sectors, it's important not to be blindly influenced by this label. In the porcelain tile industry, quality is not determined solely by geography. Instead, it depends on the specific factory, technology, quality control standards, and production processes behind the product—regardless of where it’s made.
In short, don't assume that European-made means better. Some of the finest and most competitively priced porcelain tiles available in the UK today are made in Asia, with performance and durability that rival or even surpass their European counterparts.
What Is the Reasonable Price for 20mm Outdoor Porcelain Tiles per Square Metre?
As experts in the paving industry, we are often asked: “What is the fair price for 20mm thick outdoor porcelain tiles per square metre?”
Based on the current UK market and the increasing volume of high-quality imports from China and India, the price has become very competitive. According to our latest industry insight (March 2025):
- The typical retail prices for 20mm outdoor porcelain tiles ranges from £21.80 to £24.00 per square metre (£470 to £520 per full pallet of 21.6m²), regardless of size — provided it does not exceed 1200x600x20mm. These price range include VAT and Home Delivery.
- Generally speaking, any price above £25 per square metre for 20mm outdoor porcelain tiles is not considered cost-effective.
- Our Chinese and Indian outdoor porcelain tiles combine excellent quality with great value, sourced from well-established, reputable manufacturers, such an GuangDong Porcelain Tiles® and Simola Vitrified Tiles®.
- Italian and other European porcelain paving tiles are typically more expensive due to higher production costs, especially because of high labour costs.
Note: The above pricing is specific to Paving Slabs UK® and does not reflect or apply to any third-party suppliers, as their costs and operations may vary.
If you purchase from a direct wholesale supplier like Paving Slabs UK®, you can avoid middleman markups and enjoy near-wholesale prices—without compromising on quality. That’s why we are able to offer such competitive pricing consistently.
If you'd like help calculating prices based on slab size or pallet coverage (e.g. 900x600mm or 600x600mm), feel free to contact us—we're happy to assist!
How to select outdoor porcelain tiles for patio garden
Begin by choosing a colour scheme that suits your preference - whether light or dark colours. Light colours generally create a sense of spaciousness, offering a bright and relaxed ambience, while dark colours, especially black, introduce a feeling of solemnity and luxury.
Next, consider the tile size. The widely favoured size is 900 x 600 in the UK, striking a balance between creating a spacious feel and facilitating installation at a moderate cost. Although the 1200 x 600 size imparts a more majestic ambience, it poses challenges during installation with increased difficulty and cutting waste due to its larger weight and size. The 600 x 600 size is the most economical, ensuring consistent patterns post-installation, but it is not the preference of UK homeowners. The 900 x 450 size is a niche option exploited by merchants for higher profit margins. The 800 x 800 size also is a niche option exploited by merchants for higher profit margins and has the advantage of appearing larger format than 600 x 600.
Finally, consider the thickness. In the UK, the most popular thickness is 20 mm, providing a balance between cost-effectiveness and good compressive strength. Some merchants offer 16 mm tiles at a lower cost due to reduced factory costs, ocean freight shipping, and nationwide delivery expenses. If the retail price of 16 mm tiles is substantially lower and compressive strength is not your concern, it can be a cost-effective choice.
Does a high retail price equate good quality?
The answer is negative. Choosing outdoor porcelain tiles for paving does not necessarily mean higher prices equate to better quality. Due to the previous portrayal of porcelain paving slabs as a high-end and expensive material, many blog articles discussing porcelain paving often emphasized the high prices than sandstone paving. Some merchants continue to adopt a high-price strategy in the market.
However, the situation has changed now. Due to intense competition, wholesalers who directly import also engage in retail, offering lower prices to the public. Our company is a exclusive wholesaler for Simola® brand of India's largest and best brand, so our retail prices are lower, and the quality is the best among the Indian porcelain paving slabs.
We recommend consumers to compare prices before making a purchase online. Choose similar products, considering factors such as material, colour, size, thickness, and place of origin for a comprehensive comparison to get a rough idea of the retail prices. Some online stores have traditionally had higher prices, while others are able to offer lower prices due to effective control of the supply chain costs.
How to verify the origin of the tiles you purchased:
Every consumer hopes to get value for their money and not be deceived. In the UK market, there are indeed some merchants who label Italian tiles on their websites with a price of £21.50/m2. Based on our experience, it is impossible for us to sell Italian 20 mm outdoor tiles at this price. So, how do you verify the country of origin for the tiles you're buying? Here's a simple method to verify.
All tiles from overseas countries are packaged with wooden pallets, and the pallets bear the ISPM15 stamp. We recommend that you look for the following stamps on the pallet after receiving your products. Because, every exporter and importer must adhere to the rules to meet ISPM15 international standards from January 1, 2021.
If the pallet is in its original packaging, products imported from India should bear the stamp "IN," Italian products should have "IT," Spanish products should have "ES," and Chinese products should have "CN." MB stands for Methyl Bromide Treatment, while HT stands for Heat Treatment. Typically, India tends to prefer adopting Methyl Bromide (MB) Treatment, whereas European countries lean towards Heat Treatment (HT).
This is the best and lastest method to identify the origin of the porcelain slabs you purchased, as both the customs of the exporting country and the customs of the UK scrutinize it for you. Otherwise, fraudulent methods would not pass the customs inspection.
The above information does not rule out the possibility of Italian tiles being repackaged using discarded Indian pallets, especially in the case of orders with split and repack small order. However, merchants dealing with full pallet order are unlikely to unnecessarily dismantle the original packaging of Italian tiles and repackage them with discarded Indian pallets, as such an action would be an unnecessary and foolish operation.
Following are India Fumigation ISPM15 Stamps
Following are Italian Fumigation ISPM15 Stamps
Disclaimer: The above suggestions should not be considered as legal basis and are not guaranteed to be 100% certain. There are many alternatives to packaging for international trade. Therefore, the author does not bear any legal responsibility. Any infringement should be contacted in advance and resolved through negotiation. If any trader believes that this blog post contains infringement, please contact us.
