Porcelain patio - dark slate or wood effect?

[cashmerecardigans]

We're having a new patio laid shortly. I'd decided on a Marshall's black slate effect, I thought I'd go plain and relatively simple. We face due south, so lots of sun and I don't want a light stone.
I had a wobble today, wondered if it would be too stark? It's a plain rectangular patio, about 8 x 5 m. Today I came across wood effect porcelain, which I rather like the look of. Has anyone any experience of this? It's got a slightly more weathered look that I like. Any thoughts anyone?
Original tiles - https://www.marshalls.co.uk/gardens-and-driveways/product/arrento-vitrified-porcelain-paving?sku=VP8005570&gadsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwz42xBhB9EiwA48pT77x17Uo5QgzGTgcfRR2P9ZrF4fASde3gkwLATDVRxa6eXfeqEfoAJhoCM7UQAvDD_BwE

Wood effect -

www.londonstone.co.uk/porcelain-paving/wood-effect/cinder/

I don't have personal experience but if you are looking for opinions I prefer the wood effect 🙂as it has more personality. The black slate effect is nice but looks like the "standard" patio that many people have. The only thing that would annoy me about the wood effect tile is the joints as tiles are laid with repeating joints like a brick wall whereas actual wood is normally laid with staggered/offset joints. So it would look like it's definitely tile and not wood (perhaps that wouldn't bother you though). One of the photos is of a herringbone pattern which I've not seen in outdoor tile before and I think that looks great

@Sera1989 thank you so much! Yes I was after personal opinions, so that is much appreciated. I agree with what you're saying about how it is laid, but I still think I prefer it.
My worry is the black will look very solid and slab like

If it is south facing, would the black slate get really hot? I think it depends what look and feel you have in the garden really. The black looks more modern and slick but the wood effect looks a bit more rustic.

It's quite a relaxed garden. Lots of shrubs, an apple and a cherry tree, a winding path to the bottom. So it's not a minimalist space at all. My tendency is usually to go for plain, the words shabby chic fill me with horror, but I just think the black may be too stark. I'm assured the porcelain doesn't get too hot though.
We may put a aluminium pergola up at some point and if that is dark grey, I wonder if it all starts to feel a bit dark

On a practical note, assuming that the wood has a wood texture, it would be less slippery when wet than the slate.

We had wood effect in a small area and the pattern wore off.

@thenightsky gosh that is a worry then. How long did that take? Was it due to heavy use or sun?

I don't think it was sun as it was in a dark north facing section. More likely to be lots of walking on it and DH vigorously scrubbing it a few times in spring when it got a bit dirty and slippy.

I like the wood look, but I'm not crazy about the black.

I liked this colour better; just seemed a bit warmer. Not sure it would go with a dark grey pergola, though.

https://www.tilesandsmiles.co.uk/products/eleganza-oak-wood-effect-outdoor-porcelain-paving-slabs-1200x300-mm

@ShrubRose thanks so much, that does look good. Not sure yet on the pergola, but it's a possibility for the future. Alternative os to go for a paler grey I suppose, but I wasn't too keen on it when I first started looking. I've ordered a sample of the wood effect so will see what that is like

If you go for actual black slate, ensure that it is sealed before laying it because otherwise any workers' footprints will be with you forevermore.

I prefer the traditional slate.

We've decided against real slate. It would need sealing annually and we just don't fancy the hassle.
We think we're going to go with wood look. Question now is whether we go with something that looks more weathered or not - examples below

Less weathered - swipe across to see better pics

www.londonstone.co.uk/porcelain-paving/wood-effect/rovere/

More weathered - probably oak version

www.marshalls.co.uk/gardens-and-driveways/product/symphony-vitrified-plank-garden-paving