Porcelain Paver Patio Installer in Minnesota | Schifsky Companies
Porcelain Paver Patios

Porcelain Paver Patios and Pool Decks in Minnesota

Porcelain pavers give a patio or pool deck the cleanest surface we install: large formats, tight joints, wood and stone textures that do not fade, and a body so dense that wine, grill grease and sunscreen wipe off instead of soaking in. We design and install porcelain across the Twin Cities on the same engineered base we build under every patio.

Get a Free Porcelain Patio Quote See Our Work
Large-Format Porcelain · Stain Resistant · Built for Freeze-Thaw
Porcelain Paver Patios and Pool Decks in Minnesota by Schifsky Companies in the Twin Cities

Outdoor porcelain is a kiln-fired paver, typically 20 mm (about 3/4 inch) thick, made for ground contact and foot traffic. It is harder and denser than a concrete paver, so it resists scratching, fading and staining, and it absorbs almost no water, which is what matters most in a freeze-thaw climate. The trade-off is cost and the skill it takes to cut and set it cleanly. Porcelain shows every flaw in the base and every lazy cut, so it belongs with a crew that lays it regularly.

We build porcelain two ways. On-grade, the paver sits on a bedding layer over a deep, compacted aggregate base with a solid edge restraint, the same foundation under every patio we build. On pedestals, the pavers float on adjustable supports for elevated or precisely leveled decks. Either way the finished surface is flat, the joints are tight and consistent, and the pool deck or patio looks like it belongs to the house. The project in these photos is Poolside on the Hill in Woodbury, a porcelain pool deck finished the same season the pool went in.

Our Work

A Porcelain Pool Deck We Built in Woodbury

Poolside on the Hill: a new pool finished with a large-format porcelain deck, boulder steps up the slope, plantings and lighting. Tap any photo to see it full size.

Close view of a large-format porcelain pool deck with lounge chairs in Woodbury Row of black lounge chairs on a light porcelain paver pool deck Porcelain stepping slabs with dark paver accents between boulders and river rock Porcelain pool deck, boulder retaining and black aluminum fence on a sloped Woodbury lot Overhead view of a rectangular pool set into a porcelain paver deck Aerial view of a new pool, porcelain deck and lawn behind a Woodbury home
Free · No Obligation

Get a Free Porcelain Paver Patio Quote

Tell us about your project and we'll reach out within one business day.

Please enter your name.
Enter a valid phone number.
Enter a valid email.
Choose a project type.
Enter your city.
Please select an estimated range.
4.9 on Google Licensed & Insured Family-Owned 37 Yrs

Financing available · low monthly payments, no equity required

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your project. No spam, ever.

Thank you - request received!

A member of the Schifsky design team will reach out within one business day.

Prefer to talk now? Call 651-439-0603
Porcelain Paver Patios

Where We Use Porcelain

  • Porcelain pool decks
  • Backyard patios and dining terraces
  • Walkways and stepping slabs
  • Elevated and precisely leveled decks on pedestals
  • Outdoor kitchen and fire-table surrounds
  • Steps, landings and front stoops
Why It Matters

Why Porcelain Earns Its Premium in Minnesota

Freeze-thaw damage starts with water getting into a material and expanding. Porcelain absorbs almost none, so built on a proper base it comes through our winters without the surface spalling or the color washing out. It also does not stain, which around a pool or a grill is the difference between a deck that looks new in year five and one that needs sealing and scrubbing. The honest downside is cost: porcelain runs about $10 to $15 per square foot more than concrete pavers installed. For a tighter budget, concrete pavers are still an excellent patio, and we build plenty of them.

How We Work

How We Build a Porcelain Patio or Pool Deck

The base is the same engineered foundation we build under every patio. The difference is in the layout, the cuts and the joints.

See It in the Showroom

Porcelain samples from Belgard, Tile Tech, RCP, Geoceramica and MSI are on the wall at our Lake Elmo showroom. Photos flatten texture; in person you can compare wood, stone and concrete looks side by side.

3D Design and Layout

Format and pattern are decided in the design, not on site. Large formats need a layout that minimizes cuts at the house, the pool coping and the steps.

Excavate and Build the Base

Excavation to depth, a compacted aggregate base graded to drain, and a solid edge restraint. Porcelain is unforgiving of a soft base, so this step is never rushed.

Set and Cut

Pavers set to a flat, consistent plane with tight joints. Every cut is made with a wet saw so edges are clean, including the radius cuts around a pool.

Joint, Clean and Walk Through

Joint sand rated for porcelain, a final clean, and a walkthrough on how to care for it, which is mostly a hose.

Formats and Finishes

Ways to Use Porcelain Outdoors

Porcelain comes in a wider range of looks than any other paver. These are the ones we use most.

Large-Format Slabs

Two-foot squares and long rectangles with tight joints for a clean, modern plane, the look on the Woodbury pool deck above.

Wood-Look Planks

The warmth of a deck without the splinters, staining or rot. Popular for dining terraces and pedestal decks.

Stone and Concrete Looks

Limestone, slate and poured-concrete textures that read as natural stone without the sealing and the price of the real thing.

Pool Decks

A textured, slip-resistant finish, light colors, and a surface that shrugs off sunscreen and chlorine. See our pool landscaping page for the rest of the backyard.

Mixed Materials

Porcelain field with dark concrete-paver accents, natural stone steps or boulder edges, the way the Woodbury stepping path above was done.

Pedestal Decks

Porcelain floating on adjustable pedestals for elevated patios and spaces that need to be dead level.

Related Specialties

Related Patio and Pool Work

Pool Landscaping and Pool Decks

Everything around the pool, finished the same season the pool goes in: deck, fence, grading, plantings and lighting.

Learn more →

Paver Patios and Hardscape

Concrete paver and natural-stone patios, walkways and steps, the main patio page.

Learn more →

Paver Driveways

Driveways and motor courts in pavers, built on a deeper base than a patio so they carry vehicles through freeze-thaw.

Learn more →
What Affects the Cost

What a Porcelain Patio Costs in the Twin Cities

Installed, porcelain pavers run $55 to $77 per square foot in the Twin Cities, about $10 to $15 per square foot more than concrete pavers. A 350 square foot patio lands roughly $19,000 to $27,000; an 800 square foot pool deck roughly $44,000 to $62,000, before fence, steps, lighting and plantings.

As a complete project, Poolside on the Hill in Woodbury was about $120,000 for the porcelain deck, boulder retaining and steps, aluminum fence, plantings, lighting and lawn around a pool installed by our sister company Blaiser Pools (the pool itself is separate).

  • Format and finishLarge slabs and plank formats cost more than standard sizes; premium textures cost more than basic ones.
  • Cuts and patternCurves, pool radii and diagonal layouts mean more wet-saw time and more waste.
  • On-grade vs pedestalPedestal systems add hardware but can skip some excavation on elevated decks.
  • Base and accessPoor soil, steep grades and tight access add excavation and labor, as with any patio.
Read the full porcelain paver cost guide
Reviews

What Homeowners Say After the Patio Is In

Real Google reviews. Read more reviews.

We worked with Schifsky along side our Blaiser pool install. We worked with Brandon who was a great communicator and easy to get ahold of. One main reason we went with them was we were told seamless transition between pool install and landscaping. I didn’t want to sit with dirt for a long time. They delivered on their promise and were here the last day of pool install to get things moving. We had one rain day during the project and they worked that weekend to remain on schedule. That was much appreciated. All in all it was a great process and we would recommend their services.

Mallory Shuck Google review · Sep 2026

We worked with Adam from start to finish, beginning in the fall to design a large patio, fire pit area, and improved landscaping in our backyard. … His 3D design brought the project to life and made us confident in our decisions. When the work started this summer, the team stayed on schedule, and worked efficiently while delivering a beautiful result.

Lauren Hood Google review · Jul 2026
Plan Before You Build

Porcelain Paver Patios Guides and Costs

Planning guide

How Much Do Porcelain Pavers Cost in the Twin Cities?

Porcelain pavers typically run $10 to $15 per square foot more than concrete pavers in the Twin Cities, around $55 to $77 installed. Here is...

Read the guide
Planning guide

How Much Does a Paver Patio Cost in the Twin Cities?

A professionally installed paver patio in the Twin Cities runs $45 to $62 per square foot, or roughly $15,000 to $30,000 for a typical backy...

Read the guide
Planning guide

Concrete vs. Paver Patio in Minnesota: Cost and Which Lasts Longer

Poured concrete patios cost less up front ($10 to $20 per sq ft) than pavers ($45 to $62), but in Minnesota's freeze-thaw climate pavers usu...

Read the guide
Planning guide

Landscaping Around a Pool in Minnesota: What to Plant, What to Avoid, and How to Design the Space Around the Water

The pool is the centerpiece; the yard around it is where you actually live. Zone 4 plants that survive our winters and stay out of the water...

Read the guide
Planning guide

What Does a Full Backyard Landscape Project Cost in the Twin Cities?

A full backyard landscape project in the Twin Cities typically runs from about $45,000 for a focused makeover to $300,000+ for a luxury esta...

Read the guide
Planning guide

When Should You Start a Backyard Project in Minnesota? The Month-by-Month Timeline

Design in winter, build from late April through October, and know how long a patio, a pool backyard or a full landscape really takes. A mont...

Read the guide
Where we build

Porcelain Paver Patios across the East Metro

Based in Lake Elmo, we work across the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin. Pages for the communities we serve most often:

FAQ

Common Porcelain Paver Patios Questions

How much does a porcelain paver patio cost in Minnesota?
Installed, porcelain runs $55 to $77 per square foot in the Twin Cities, roughly $10 to $15 more per square foot than concrete pavers. A typical 350 square foot patio lands around $19,000 to $27,000 before features like steps, seat walls or lighting. See our porcelain cost guide for the full breakdown.
Do porcelain pavers hold up to Minnesota winters?
Yes. Porcelain is so dense it absorbs almost no water, and water absorption is what drives freeze-thaw damage. Built on a properly compacted, well-drained base, a porcelain patio resists the spalling and surface damage that can affect more porous materials over many winters.
Are porcelain pavers slippery around a pool?
Not when the right finish is chosen. Outdoor porcelain comes in textured, slip-resistant finishes made for wet areas, and that is what we specify for pool decks. Light colors also stay more comfortable underfoot in July than dark surfaces.
Porcelain vs concrete pavers, which should I choose?
Concrete pavers cost less and come in a huge range of styles, and we install a lot of them. Porcelain costs more but gives you a denser, more stain-resistant, more fade-resistant surface with very low upkeep and the cleanest modern look. If the patio hosts dinners and pool days and you want it to look new for years, porcelain is the upgrade. See our paver patio page for the concrete and natural stone options.
How do you install porcelain pavers?
Either on-grade, set on a bedding layer over a deep compacted aggregate base with an edge restraint, or on a pedestal system where the pavers float on adjustable supports for elevated or precisely leveled decks. On-grade is the most common for backyard patios and pool decks.
What porcelain brands do you install?
Belgard, Tile Tech, RCP, Geoceramica and MSI. Samples are on the wall at our Lake Elmo showroom, so you can compare textures and colors in person before you decide.
Do porcelain patios need sealing?
No. Porcelain does not need sealing. Maintenance is a rinse with a hose and the occasional sweep. Spills sit on the surface and wipe off, which is one of the main reasons homeowners choose it.
Why Schifsky

The Schifsky Difference

Family-owned for 37+ years, we design and build your project with one accountable team, so the people who plan it are the people who build it, start to finish.

Get a Free Quote
  • 37+ Years, Family-OwnedNearly four decades building Twin Cities outdoor spaces - still run by the same family.
  • True Design-BuildOne accountable team from first sketch to final walkthrough - no finger-pointing between trades.
  • See It in 3D FirstWe design your project in realistic 3D so you can refine it before we ever break ground.
  • Built for Minnesota WintersProper base prep, drainage, and craftsmanship engineered to handle our freeze-thaw cycles.
Service Area

Serving the Twin Cities & Western Wisconsin

WoodburyNorth OaksSunfish LakeDellwoodGrantMahtomediStillwaterWhite Bear LakeAftonLake ElmoHugoEdinaWayzataOronoMedinaDeephavenShorewoodEden PrairieChanhassenVictoriaChaskaHudsonNew Richmond
Start Your Project

Ready to Get Started?

Get a Free Quote Call 651-439-0603
Free · No Obligation

Get a Free Porcelain Paver Patio Quote

Tell us about your project and we'll reach out within one business day.

Please enter your name.
Enter a valid phone number.
Enter a valid email.
Choose a project type.
Enter your city.
Please select an estimated range.
4.9 on Google Licensed & Insured Family-Owned 37 Yrs

Financing available · low monthly payments, no equity required

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your project. No spam, ever.

Thank you - request received!

A member of the Schifsky design team will reach out within one business day.

Prefer to talk now? Call 651-439-0603