Most homeowners pay $7 to $60 per square foot to professionally install porcelain pavers
Porcelain paving tiles cost $3 to $35 per square foot.
A 144-square-foot porcelain paver patio costs $1,000 to $8,496.
The complexity and square footage of your space determines price.
Labor to lay porcelain paving tiles costs $4 to $25 per square foot.
Looking to upgrade your home’s hardscaping? Porcelain pavers can completely transform your outdoor space. Whether you’re looking to create a driveway, walkway, or patio, these outdoor tiles are anything but average. They’re remarkably durable, low-maintenance, and versatile compared to other popular types of pavers, like concrete and natural stone.
Though porcelain paving tiles are not the most budget-friendly option, many homeowners find them worth the splurge. Here’s how much you can expect to spend.
Porcelain pavers are porcelain tiles specifically created for outdoor use. That means they’re thicker and stronger than your average porcelain floor or wall tile because they need to withstand extreme weather.
The average cost of porcelain tile when installed outdoors is $3 to $35 per square foot. The overall price varies based on quality and design, but it is usually more than the cost of brick pavers, concrete pavers, or natural stone pavers.
Refer to these common porcelain patio sizes to help you estimate the cost of porcelain pavers:
Patio Size in Square Feet | Average Cost |
---|---|
6x10 (60 sq. ft.) | $180–$2,100 |
8x12 (96 sq. ft.) | $290–$3,400 |
10x10 (100 sq. ft.) | $300–$3,500 |
10x16 (160 sq. ft.) | $480–$5,600 |
10x20 (200 sq. ft.) | $600–$7,000 |
14x20 (280 sq. ft.) | $840–$9,800 |
20x20 (400 sq. ft.) | $1,200–$14,000 |
The main draw of porcelain is that it can mimic any type of flooring, but it’s usually more durable. There are options that imitate different types of flooring choices. You can even find an option that looks like wood. Overall, glazed tiles typically cost the most, though you’ll pay more for intricate patterns. Typical costs are:
Type of Porcelain | Cost per Square Foot |
---|---|
Unglazed Porcelain tile | $3 to $15 |
Glazed Porcelain tile | $3 to $35 |
Polished Porcelain tile | $5 to $35 |
Sure, you can buy porcelain pavers at your local hardware store—but you’re using them in a project that has other costs. Regardless of the project, here’s the cost breakdown.
The cost of labor to install outdoor porcelain tile is anywhere from $4 to $25 per square foot. Some professionals charge per hour, at an average hourly rate of $30 to $120.
You may need a permit to install porcelain pavers in your yard. Most permits for outdoor projects cost around $250 to $2,000. Local laws vary between cities and states, but your contractor should know if you need one.
If your contractor has to tear out an old patio or seating area to lay your outdoor porcelain tiles, it can add $2,000 to $10,000 or more to the final cost of your hardscaping project.
You’ll also need to factor in the cost to maintain your porcelain pavers. Sealing and cleaning pavers costs between $300 and $550 on average. You can save on maintenance costs by DIYing it. For around $50 a day, you can rent a pressure washer from a local home improvement store. Sealant costs run from around $90 to $130. If you decide to hire a pro, the cost to power wash your patio is roughly $250.
Labor is a significant portion of the total cost of tile flooring. A 300-square-foot paver patio will take around 35 to 40 hours to finish. On the high end, you’re looking at a labor cost of $4,800.
So you could save thousands if you DIY porcelain pavers, but it isn’t an easy job. Unless you’re dealing with rectified tile, which is already pre-cut, outdoor porcelain is challenging to cut without the right equipment. For example, drilling through porcelain tile requires a special drill bit.
Though porcelain pavers are extremely durable, they are prone to cracking and shattering before and during installation. If you’re taking on a large project (like designing your own outdoor kitchen) that includes gas lines or electricity, it can be particularly complex. You can save yourself time and energy by hiring a local patio paver to do the job for you.
On top of your typical porcelain paver costs, there are many add-ons that can amplify your outdoor space and complement your new pavers, including:
Fire pit: $200–$3,000
Outdoor kitchen: $6,300–$26,900
Outdoor sound system: $250–$1,300
Patio roof: $14,000–$31,000
Railing/fencing: $10–$90 per linear foot
Solar shades: $200–$1,300
Porcelain pavers offer a luxury aesthetic that can make a huge impact on your wallet. But, with a couple of strategic tips, you can save on the cost of your pavers so that you can have that luxury look without going over budget.
Install a smaller patio. More materials mean higher expenses, so consider reducing the dimensions of your patio to save on pavers, sand, gravel, and labor.
Avoid installing high-end styles like glazed or polished porcelain tiles. Instead, choose unglazed porcelain tiles for your project.
DIY removing old pavers to lower labor costs.
Clear the area to make it easier—and faster—for installers to work.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Ceramic tile can be slightly less expensive than porcelain pavers. You can find outdoor ceramic tile for as little as $1 per square foot, but high-end options tend to cost the same as porcelain.
The cost depends on the type of natural stone. High-end stones can cost as much as porcelain, but it depends on the specific material. For example, the cost of flagstone pavers is typically $2 to $6 per square foot, which is much more budget-friendly than porcelain. Outdoor slate tile can cost as much as $35 per square foot, which is about the same as porcelain.
Porcelain pavers come at a premium. If you want to save some cash, choose concrete pavers. Concrete pavers can cost as little as $0.50 per square foot.
Installing porcelain pavers is a complicated process best left to a professional. You can search online for top-rated paver installation companies near you, read reviews, and reach out to at least three different pros for a quote.