Frequently Asked Questions

To successfully build a raised deck with composite cladding, it is essential to choose it carefully and install it properly. The various types of composites offer numerous elegant and modern options. Composite decking boards mimic the look of wood, without the maintenance hassles.

There are several manufacturing methods for composite decking boards:

• Mono-extruded: these boards are manufactured by mixing the components in a single step. These boards are more affordable but not very durable.
• Co-extruded: these boards benefit from additional protection, making them more resistant to UV rays and the elements.

Composite decking boards can be made from different components:

• Wood fibres and plastic for a natural wood appearance
• Additives to improve resistance to mould and pests, and a look that leans more towards exotic woods

Finally, composite decking boards can have several types of finishes:

• Boards with a smooth finish are slip-resistant and easy to clean
• Boards with a grooved finish offer a warm, textured wood finish but can be slippery and difficult to clean, particularly around a swimming pool or in a garden.

The use of a gravel stabiliser is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended for several reasons:

• Prevention of sinking and dispersion: without a stabiliser, gravel can sink into the ground and disperse, creating uneven and unstable surfaces.
• Improved drainage: gravel stabilisers, often used with geotextile, allow for better water infiltration, reducing the risk of puddles and erosion.
• Aesthetics and maintenance: a stabiliser keeps the gravel in place, maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the landscape and facilitating its maintenance.
• Durability and resistance: gravel stabilisers increase the durability of the gravel surface, supporting heavy loads and withstanding harsh weather conditions.

In summary, although not mandatory, their use offers many practical and aesthetic advantages that can greatly improve the quality and longevity of your outdoor landscaping.

Must-have tools to build a raised patio on pedestals usually include:

• A spirit level
• A masonry ruler
• A chalk line
• A wet saw
• A laser
• A vibratory plate compactor

The lifespan of a wooden terrace depends largely on the quality of the substructure. That is why we advise you not to overlook this part, even though it is hidden from view. When building your raised timber decking, you must especially ensure that the weight is distributed evenly, that the substructure is well ventilated and protected from rainwater using a joist protection strip, and that the correct spacing between the boards is maintained, etc. All these details matter.

To ensure your deck has a long life, it is also important to maintain it regularly. To do this, remember to protect and clean it regularly. Take care of your wood, and it will repay you!

The Profildeck® fixing clip is specially designed for installation on Profildeck® H27 and H55 aluminium joists.

The Essentiel® 10mm riser pedestal height extender allows you to raise the height of each riser pedestal by 10 mm.

Jouplast® low-profile decking pedestals, such as the Plogom flexible paving pedestal, are specifically designed for low-height patios. They enable construction of a slightly raised patio with no need for major structural modifications. These slim riser pedestals are ideal for patio renovation projects and for working in small spaces and small patios, such as those on balconies.

The Jouplast® acoustic damper is extremely simple to use. It is simply positioned directly on the head of our Essentiel® paving and self-levelling riser pedestals. Pre-cut and easily cut to shape, the acoustic damper can be trimmed to suit the specific requirements of your terrace. We recommend that you follow this procedure carefully to ensure maximum effectiveness in reducing noise and vibration.

The Cleman® 130/230 mm adjustable paving pedestal is designed and used to create tiled, ceramic or paved terraces for pedestrian use. Its three-stage adjustment system (pre-setting using the driver bit, manual setting using the screw adjuster, and final adjustment using the special adjustment wrench) facilitates precise levelling. It ensures terrace stability, facilitates corner installation and offers optimised terrace side cladding. It is compatible with self-supporting paving compliant with class T7, T11, or F+. Not compatible with paved side finishing plates.

MODULESCA® steps can be used to create straight and curving sets of steps with or without landings. Adaptable to suit the shape and profile of your garden landscape, they can be used to create steps in zigzag and even hairpin shapes. Where wider steps are required, modules can also be joined side to side using a connector kit.

Fixego® can be used with natural timber decking. It is not suitable for use with composite decking boards, flexible/unstable wood species such as acacia. Before installation, we recommend that you check that the screws you plan to use are suitable for the type of timber, since some timbers, such as accoya, are not.

The Jouplast® paving grab is a tool designed specifically for easy handling and laying of paving slabs. It provides a completely safe way of carrying and lifting paving slabs of various formats (from 300 to 700 mm), and is fitted with a comfortable ergonomic handle. This accessory simplifies any job involving walkways and other installations requiring the movement of slabs.

Begin by assembling the kit and fit to the riser pedestal base. Once assembled, make the height adjustments required to suit the configuration of your terrace. Once the kit is in place, screw it to the riser pedestal between the base and screw adjuster to ensure full stability. The kit is designed for use at heights between 45 and 65 mm without an extender and between 45 and 105 mm with extenders.

The MODULESCA 3-piece joist kit is designed to simplify the process of timber cladding MODULESCA® steps. It comprises one 21 cm central joist and two 35 cm side joists. These joists are manufactured from autoclaved (class 4) pine and pre-cut to accurate dimensions to simplify installation and ensure precise adjustment when applying the timber cladding.

After installing ceramic tiles on pedestals, it is important to maintain your outdoor arrangement. We recommend regularly cleaning your surface by sweeping to remove dead leaves or debris and to facilitate the drainage of rainwater through the gaps between the tiles. Use a high-pressure cleaner occasionally, but not too often, to avoid damaging the tiles.

Here are several criteria to consider when selecting garden edging:

1. Which areas do you want to define? Flower beds, walkways, lawns, or gravel zones?
2. What aesthetic are you aiming for in your outdoor space? Modern, rustic, minimalist, or contemporary?
3. Which material do you prefer for its look? Stone, metal, wood, composite, concrete, or plastic?
4. What is your budget? Metal, plastic, and stone tend to be more expensive but offer greater durability. Wood is often more affordable but may deteriorate more quickly.
5. What level of maintenance can you manage? Natural materials like wood and stone require regular treatment to prevent damage. Plastic, composite, and metal are more resistant to weather and frost.

A raised composite decking patio can support up to 1 tonne per pedestal, which means that you can confidently furnish your outdoor living area even with heavy furniture, barbecues or griddles. The raised decking system is renowned for being highly weather- and frost-resistant, ensuring the longevity of your outdoor space.

To ensure optimal performance of your Jouplast® stabilisation grids, it is essential to choose the right size gravel for the product used.

• Alveplac®: For this model, we recommend using gravel with a grain size of 5/15 or 8/16 mm. Once the grids are filled, it is advisable to add approximately 2 cm of additional gravel on top of the honeycomb grids to ensure maximum stability and performance.
• Urbangravel®: To fill the honeycomb cells of this product, choose crushed gravel with a grain size between 5 and 10 mm. Fill the cells to the top to obtain a stable and uniform surface.
• Urbanit®: Similarly, for this model, it is recommended to use crushed gravel with a grain size between 5 and 10 mm. Fill the cells to overflowing to ensure optimal stability.

After installing the gravel, make sure to spread it evenly with a rake to achieve a flat and attractive surface. By following these recommendations, you will ensure the durability and effectiveness of your gravel landscaping.

Before installing any patio pedestals, it is important to stabilise the ground to ensure the longevity of your wooden deck or paved patio. To establish a solid base for your raised patio, the ground must be levelled, even and free of any obstacles.

On a concrete slab, ensure you remove any debris that could hinder the installation and/or stability of the pedestals.

On unprepared ground, minor earthworks will be required. First, you will need to excavate the ground to create a level base and ensure the ground is properly levelled. The installation of a geotextile membrane and the creation of a base layer made of crushed stones are then essential to ensure that the patio pedestals can be installed correctly.

If installing on a waterproof surface, comply with DTU 43.1.

If you are using Elevo® pedestals, ground preparation is minimal and simply requires the installation of a geotextile membrane to ensure proper drainage of rainwater.

The price per square metre of an elevated composite patio can vary depending on two factors:

1. The type of composite and finish : the price of composite boards can range from £90 to £200 per square metre, depending on the quality of the raw material. The more durable the materials, the higher the budget will be.

2. The cost of labour : this cost can vary greatly. If you are handy or a DIY enthusiast, creating your elevated composite decking by yourself is entirely possible. For example, we know that a 20m² composite decking on pedestals can be installed in a single day.

If you do not have the means or the skills to do this yourself, you can also ask a landscaper to take care of your composite decking project. You should expect to pay between £20 and £50 per square metre for a professional to install your raised patio.

This installation method will not cause any issues, as the pedestals are easy to adjust. You must first prepare the ground to ensure the surface is levelled. Our range includes spacers to compensate for any differences in ground level. Each manufacturer provides their own fixing clips to fix the composite decking boards.