Frequently Asked Questions

The Essentiel® pedestal side cladding support is a quick, easy and ideal solution for applying the finishing touches to your terrace by creating a neat side finish. A 100% invisible solution that uses an innovative glue trap system to create a clean and attractive appearance. UV and frost-resistant, it is perfect for outdoor use. Its snappable tab enables fixing of all paving thicknesses and facilitates the installation of a vertical joists for timber decking.

The Cleman® 80/130 mm pedestal can be used on stabilised uneven ground or an existing concrete slab. It is not recommended for use on loose ground.

The Cleman® adjustable 28/40 paving pedestal is designed for tiled, ceramic or paved terraces for pedestrian use. It ensures precise levelling using a three-stage adjustment system: pre-setting using the driver bit, manual setting using the screw adjuster, and final adjustment using the special adjustment wrench. This pedestal ensures structural stability, is easy to install and offers optimised terrace side cladding. The paving used must be self-supporting and compliant with French classification T7, T11, or F+. Not compatible with the paved side finishing plate.

Jouplast® forked packers are designed to facilitate installation and adjustment for all types of construction where packing is required. The forked shape and soft inner teeth make them easy to clip onto a screw for optimum grip when tightening. Available in several thicknesses (1, 2, 3 and 5 mm) and stackable thanks to moulded integral lugs, they facilitate precise setting of levels and rapid adjustment. Ultra-strong, they do not deform under stress and offer crush resistance over 2 tonnes.

Yes, up to 4 joist support pads can be stacked to adjust the packing height to suit the specific needs of the project. Stacking makes it possible to compensate for ground irregularities and maintain optimum stability.

Use one 3mm intersection spacer at each corner of every paving slab to ensure even spacing. The tabs and baseplate are snappable, and can therefore be removed to cope with different configurations, particularly where paving meets walls or is laid in an offset pattern. No adhesives or fixings are required: the weight of the paving is sufficient to hold the installation firmly in place.

The hexagonal bit is compatible with everyday 10 mm tools, such as an open pipe wrench, a ratchet socket wrench or T-handle socket wrench. For more precise presetting the riser pedestal heights, it can be used with an electric screwdriver (with chuck). We do not recommend using it with a combi drill.

All our grids are strong enough to cope with the load imposed by reasonable traffic volumes. Alveplac® and Greenplac® have a maximum load bearing capacity of 600 tonnes/m2 when filled with gravel or grass.

The use of a gravel stabiliser is essential to prevent ruts from forming, which can be seen when vehicles repeatedly drive past a garage, for example.

Although we can tell you the approximate number of joists you will need per m2 based on your choice of terrace surface, it is not possible to quantify the precise number of aluminium joists required, except on a project-by-project basis. Nevertheless, we can say with certainty that :

• For a private garden terrace using H/55mm joists, the recommended centreline spacing distance between pedestals is 80cm
• Using H/27mm joists, the recommended centreline spacing distance between pedestals is 50cm

Centreline spacing is the distance between joists. For a precise calculation, you can send us the details of your project, but you will soon be able to make the same calculation using the Jouplast® app.

All our self-levelling patio pedestals can support up to 1 tonne per pedestal. Can you imagine? One tonne is the equivalent of a giraffe.

We offer 2 types of edging finishes for paved patios. You can either choose an edge finish with cut tiles, using our side finishing plate and lateral riser support, or our clip-on finishing profiles.

The first option has the same finish as the rest of the patio cladding. However, it requires the right equipment to cut the slabs. A good water jet saw is essential. The task can be tricky when temperatures are below freezing, whereas installing a paved patio on pedestals is perfectly possible in freezing weather. You also need to be very precise to ensure the accuracy of the cuts.

The second option, using the clip-on side finishing profiles, has the advantage of being aesthetically pleasing, practical, and does not require tile cutting nor special tools. It is easy to install.

As for raised decking, it is possible to create the side finish using only our lateral riser support.

The most commonly used natural woods for decks are pine, larch and teak. These woods are weather- and insect-resistant. However, many people are torn between choosing a softwood or a hardwood. Which wood is the best between the two for an outdoor patio? The answer depends on your priorities.

To choose the best wood for your project, ask yourself these questions:

• What is my overall budget?
• Which aesthetic result am I looking for?
• How much time am I willing to spend maintaining my deck each year?
• Does the origin of the wood matter to me? From an environmental perspective, for example.

European woods, including many softwoods, have the advantage of generally being more affordable than exotic woods. If the environmental impact of your project is important to you, you might want to opt for a European wood. Exotic wood, on the other hand, is generally more expensive but offers greater durability.

As you can see, every type of wood has its pros and cons. Do not hesitate to discuss this with your supplier, who will be able to guide you towards the best choice based on your aesthetic, financial and environmental criteria…

Jouplast adjustable decking pedestals are durable and come with a 10-year warranty, subject to our terms and conditions of sale and in accordance with our directions for use.  They are UV-resistant and frost-resistant and have a weight tolerance of up to 1 tonne per pedestal. This makes them a robust and stable support.

Geotextile separates the different sub-layers of soil. For example, it separates sand and gravel. Geotextile also prevents weeds from growing in the gaps between the gravel.

The 10 mm extension allows you to add up to 40 mm of height to your CLEMAN® or EASIO® adjustable pedestal. This means that by using the tallest pedestal in each range, you can achieve a height of up to 270 mm.

If needed, a 60 mm extension is also available.

Jouplast® 3 mm flat packers are designed specifically to meet minimal packing requirements. They also promote excellent ventilation for timber decking structures by creating a minimum gap of 3 mm between the decking board and the joist, as required by French technical standard DTU 51.4. Ultra-strong and with a crush resistance in excess of 2 tonnes, they are able to support heavy loads with no deflection.

The support fits onto the riser pedestal flange base. Used to finish the edges of paved terraces and timber decking for outdoor pedestrian use only. In combination with a paved side finishing plate, it can be used to create a number of different configurations, including plinths, concealed finishes and garden step trades. Used alone, it can be used to create a butt-jointed finish. Allow one support per riser pedestal around the perimeter of the terrace or decking. When planning corners, the recommendation is to allow two supports. The support is fixed securely and invisibly in place using the glue trap system, and requires no screw fixings.

The Cleman® self-levelling 55/80 pedestal is designed and used to create tiled, ceramic or paved terraces for pedestrian use. Its self-levelling system compensates for gradients of up to 5% for effective levelling and maximum covenience during installation.

The Cleman® patio pedestal must be installed on stabilised ground or a precast concrete slab. It must be positioned under the paving in accordance with the recommendations of the paving manufacturer (at least one pedestal at each corner of each paving slab). Its adjustment system allows height adjustment before, during and after installation, making the whole process quick and extremely accurate.