2 cm Porcelain Pavers: What They Are and How They Install
A 2 cm porcelain paver is a porcelain tile made about three quarters of an inch thick, roughly twice the thickness of standard floor tile. The extra thickness lets it be laid outdoors without being bonded: on a sand or gravel bed, on adjustable pedestals, or directly on grass as stepping stones. It can also be mortared to concrete like ordinary tile. It suits patios, terraces, walkways and pool surrounds that carry foot traffic.
What makes it porcelain
Porcelain is defined by how little water it absorbs. Under the American tile standard, ANSI A137.1, a porcelain tile has a water absorption of 0.5% or less. That density is the source of its outdoor strengths: it takes up almost no water and resists staining, and glazed porcelain such as these pavers does not need sealing.
Porcelain pavers are manufactured, so each piece closely matches the next in size and thickness. The surface is a glazed, inkjet-printed image, which is how one material can look like bluestone, travertine, concrete or wood.
How to install 2 cm porcelain pavers
| Method | What is underneath | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry-laid on sand or gravel | Compacted aggregate base with a leveled setting bed | Patios, paths, terraces at ground level | Needs a well-compacted base and edge restraint; foot traffic only |
| On pedestals | Adjustable supports at the paver corners, over a slab or roof membrane | Roof terraces, balconies, decks over waterproofing | Water drains through open joints; follow the pedestal maker's limits |
| On grass | Pavers set individually into turf on a thin bed | Stepping-stone paths | The simplest method; set each paver level and firm |
| Mortar-set on concrete | A concrete slab and exterior-rated mortar | Pool decks, steps, anywhere a rigid surface is wanted | Needs full mortar coverage, movement joints, and slope |
The product pages for our porcelain pavers list three of these methods: set on grass, sand-set, or mortared over a concrete bed. Pedestal use is not listed, so confirm it with us before planning a raised installation.
One point from the Tile Council of North America is worth knowing. It recognizes the unbonded methods, pedestals, and loose-laying over sand or gravel, and it also notes that there are not yet industry installation standards for gauged porcelain pavers. In practice, that means the paver manufacturer's instructions are the rulebook. For bonded work, the long-standing exterior rules apply: better than 95% mortar contact, movement joints, and drainage.
A 2 cm porcelain paver is thick enough to be laid without mortar. That one fact changes how patios, terraces and pool surrounds can be built.
Can you drive on them?
Whether a 2 cm porcelain paver can carry a car depends on the product and on the structure beneath it, not on the paver alone. Where a manufacturer permits vehicles at all, it is typically with the pavers bonded to a concrete slab engineered for the load. Dry-laid and pedestal installations are for pedestrians. If a driveway is the goal, raise it with your contractor and us before ordering.
Freeze-thaw: what "frost resistant" means
Porcelain's low absorption makes it a strong choice where winters are hard, and our pavers are described as able to withstand freeze-thaw cycles. Two qualifications keep that accurate.
First, the Tile Council of North America says it knows of no tile that claims to be frost-proof. Tile is described as frost-resistant on the basis of a test, ASTM C1026, in which saturated tiles are frozen and thawed through 15 cycles, as the council's laboratory has described it. Second, the council notes that standing water can damage even frost-resistant tile. The installation has to drain. A paver that sits in ponded water through a winter is being asked to do something the test does not cover.
So: choose porcelain for cold climates, and build the base to shed water.
Slip resistance
Pavers intended for outdoor use generally have a textured surface for grip. Suitability for wet exterior use is something the manufacturer declares: under the tile industry's friction standard, ANSI A326.3, the Exterior, Wet category has no numeric minimum and rests on the manufacturer's declared classification.
Sizes, weight, and how they are packed
| Size | Pieces per box | Coverage per box |
|---|---|---|
| 24x24 in. | 2 | 8 sq ft |
| 18x36 in. | 2 | 9 sq ft |
| 24x36 in. | 2 | 12 sq ft |
Most of the range is 24x24, in looks that run from bluestone and concrete to travertine. A larger 24x36 format is available for broad terraces.
Three practical consequences follow.
- They are heavy. A 24x24 paver weighs roughly 36 to 38 pounds and is a two-handed lift. Plan the route from the curb to the work area before the pallet arrives.
- They are sold by the box, with a five-box minimum at the time of writing. Work out square footage, add overage, and round up to whole boxes.
- They ship by freight. Delivery is to the curb. Inspect the crate and note damage on the receipt before signing.
Porcelain pavers or travertine pavers
| 2 cm porcelain paver | 3 cm travertine paver | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Manufactured, printed and glazed | Natural stone |
| Water absorption | 0.5% or less | Varies by stone; noticeably higher |
| Sealing | Not needed | Recommended |
| Acid sensitivity | None in normal use | Etches |
| Consistency | Uniform size and color | Varies piece to piece |
| Freeze-thaw | Frost resistant by test; needs drainage | Depends on the stone; limited record in cold climates |
| Cutting | Needs a diamond blade; dense and hard | Softer and easier to cut and shape |
| Look underfoot | A printed surface with texture | Solid stone through its full depth |
Porcelain is the lower-maintenance and more predictable material, and the safer choice where it freezes. Travertine pavers are real stone, with variation and a worn edge that porcelain imitates but does not have. For pools specifically, our comparison of travertine and porcelain around a pool goes further.
Care
Glazed porcelain does not need sealing. Sweep it, and wash it with water and a neutral cleaner. If the pavers are mortar-set and grouted, the grout is the part that can stain, and a penetrating grout sealer helps.
Porcelain paver FAQ
What does 2 cm mean for a porcelain paver?
It is the thickness: 2 centimeters, or about three quarters of an inch. Standard porcelain floor tile is closer to half that.
Can 2 cm porcelain pavers be laid on sand?
Yes, on a compacted aggregate base with a leveled setting bed, for foot traffic. Follow the paver manufacturer's installation guide for base depth and joint width.
Do porcelain pavers need to be sealed?
No. Glazed porcelain absorbs almost no water. Seal the grout if the installation has grouted joints.
Are porcelain pavers slippery when wet?
Pavers made for outdoor use generally have a textured surface, but grip varies by product. Ask for the manufacturer's friction rating if your project has a requirement.
Will porcelain pavers crack in winter?
Porcelain is generally frost resistant, not frost-proof. It performs well in cold climates when the base drains and water cannot pool under or on the pavers.
Can I put porcelain pavers on a driveway?
Not as a dry-laid surface. Vehicle use, where a manufacturer permits it, calls for pavers bonded to a reinforced concrete slab designed for the load.
- The ANSI Blog, The Eminence of Porcelain Tile
- Tile Council of North America, Frost Resistance (FAQ)
- Tile Council of North America laboratory, in TILE Magazine, Frost Resistance Equals Freeze-Thaw Testing: A Cold Topic With Many Variations (2008)
- Tile Council of North America, Setting the Standard: Performance Criteria for Two-Centimeter Porcelain Pavers, Tile Initiative 2026
- Tile Council of North America, Exteriors (FAQ)
- Tile Council of North America, Dynamic Coefficient of Friction: Frequently Asked Questions
- TileLetter, Porcelain Tile Sealing and Maintenance Tips
Look at one in person
Order samples of the looks you are considering and set them outside in sun and shade. Samples ship free.
Questions? Talk to a tile specialist: 855-797-8453, Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM PST
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