In seasons gone by, patio areas were “put in bed” in early autumn, along with the garden. Nowadays, with the advent of products like outdoor heaters, hot tubs and lounge-style furnishings, these spaces are used year-round. This makes regular...
Encaustic tiles have become a timeless classic and deservedly so. They bring pattern and colour in a huge array of design styles, from Moorish-inspired tiles to modern geometrics. They also provide a really practical surface, being hardwearing...
Rust is a common cause of staining on outdoor pavers and marks can be difficult to remove – especially if you don’t know the origin of the stain. Although rust generally always creates an orange-coloured stain on the face of a paver, there are actually two...
A newly installed black stone patio is an impressive sight – but its wow-factor often doesn’t last long. Black or very dark grey stone very quickly fades and you’re left with a wishy-washy grey aesthetic. So, how can you restore the colour and protect slabs...
Porcelain tiles are an ideal surface option for a patio installation. They’re incredibly robust, resistant to most stains and are very easy to look after. But do they need to be sealed, like stone? As a general rule of thumb, it’s only polished porcelain...
Slippery pavers before treatment, by Silex UK, with ECOPROTEC During spells of wet weather, paths and paving slabs can very quickly become slippery and potentially dangerous. This can also be a problem year-round in areas that tend to be damp and get very...
Establishing a patio maintenance regime can be very beneficial. It helps retain a tile’s aesthetic, along with its performance, and reduces the need for intensive cleaning and re-sealing down the line. Most organic stains are relatively easy to...
ECOPROTEC has launched a new high performance water-based grout protector. New Wall & Floor Grout Protector is designed for cement-based grout joints and can be used in all types of stone and tile installations. It protects joints from oil and grease-based...
With the increasing popularity of porcelain pavers, it’s no wonder that the discussion surrounding maintenance has increased. And there’s one issue, in particular, that keeps cropping up – should an external porcelain tile be protected and, if so, should a...
Algae build-up can be a problem on hard landscaping, creating a slippery residue and a hazard underfoot. Algae tends to flourish in damp, shady and humid areas and, in the UK, build-up is especially common in the autumn and winter. Different types of algae...
