Frequently Asked Questions

Depending on the area of the terrace and the format of paving used, the number of riser pedestals required will vary. Nevertheless:

• For a 20 m² terrace paved with 60 x 60 cm ceramic tiles, 4 riser pedestals per m², so 80 riser pedestals in all.
• For a 40 m² terrace paved with 80 x 80 cm paving slabs, 7 riser pedestals per m², so 280 riser pedestals in all.

These quantities should be adapted according to the type of paving used and the recommendations of the manufacturer.

The use of a gravel stabilisation grid is essential to avoid the creation of ruts by repeated use of vehicles entering and leaving a garage, for example.

Before you start work on building your decking, it is important to check that you have the necessary permissions or authorisations. In practical terms, if you are a homeowner, and depending on the size of your project, you may need a notice of intended building alterations or a construction permit. For more information, our advice is to contact your local planning department directly. Are you member of a joint ownership scheme? Don’t forget to ask your property management company for permission.

90mm ridged wedges are placed directly under joists or other joinery components requiring adjustment. When joists are laid parallel to the direction of water flow, they should be set to a minimum height of 10 mm; where joists are laid at right angles to the direction of water flow, their minimum height should be 20 mm. Recommended spacing between wedges is 70 cm, although this may vary depending on joist cross-section and the type of timber used. Once in place, they can be screwed, glued or nailed for guaranteed stability.

The Cleman® self-levelling 130/230 patio pedestal must be installed on stabilised uneven ground or an existing concrete slab. Its precise adjustment system allows height adjustment before, during and after installation. It is recommended to position one pedestal at each corner of each paving slab, and to add others as necessary.

Designed and used to create tiled, ceramic or paved terraces for pedestrian use, the Cleman® 55/80 adjustable paving pedestal pedestal has 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. Its square base facilitates terrace corner installation, while its integrated paved terrace side cladding supports ensure a perfect finish. This pedestal is compatible with self-supporting paving compliant with French classification T7, T11, or F+, regardless of format. Not suitable for use with the paved side finishing plate.

For optimum installation, we recommend that you fill modules with aggregate to a level equivalent to the depth of the marker before filling the cells. Use 2.2 zone markers per linear metre (on average). You can adapt the quantity of zone markers to suit the specific needs of your project.

The Jouplast® Elevo decking pedestal for metal posts is inserted into a 90x90mm metal post anchored firmly in the ground. Once firmly in place, its height can be adjusted manually using the screw adjuster and/or by adding 60 mm height extenders (up to a maximum of 4). It is designed to support natural timber or aluminium joists and can be used to create decking without any prior excavation or preparation of the ground.

Yes, the terrace spacers are a multipurpose accessory. They can be used with different types of terrace surface, including ceramic paving, tiles and even timber decking boards. They ensure precise and consistent spacing, regardless of the material used.

The 60mm pedestal height extender is an accessory designed to increase the height of Cleman® and Easio® pedestals. It enables pedestal heights to be raised where necessary to create higher level terraces, and particularly paved terraces. Screwed into place between the pedestal flange and screw adjuster, the height extender ensures optimum structural stability.

The MODULESCA® connector kit is fully compatible with all MODULESCA® modules and steps. It can be used to connect two 20 cm modules together, connect a MODULESCA® step to a 20 cm module or or connect two MODULESCA® steps together.

Jouplast® flat shims are thin spacers designed for low-height adjustments.

Their breakable design allows them to be divided into 2 or 4 pieces, effectively giving you 4 shims in 1. They also ensure proper ventilation for wooden structures, in compliance with the minimum spacing recommended by DTU 51.4 (3 mm between the decking board and the joist).

Extremely durable, they can withstand heavy loads without deforming (their compressive strength exceeds 2 tonnes).

Jouplast® pedestals are designed to support heavy loads, with a crush test resistance of over 1 tonne per pedestal.

However, the load capacity of your slab terrace does not depend solely on the strength of the pedestals: it also depends on the type of slab used and its own mechanical strength.

Each material (porcelain stoneware, natural stone, etc.) has its own technical characteristics. It is therefore essential to consult your paving manufacturer’s recommendations to check their compatibility with installation on pedestals and their ability to withstand high point loads.

If your project involves the installation of heavy equipment (such as a spa, for example), we recommend that you opt for a reinforced structure system or provide a specific masonry support under the area concerned to ensure optimal load distribution.

No, composite has several properties that make it resistant to rot. The mixture of wood fibre and plastic makes the material rot-proof and therefore resistant to weathering and insect infestation.

Jouplast® low-profile decking pedestals, such as the Essential Adjustable Pedestal 8 to 20 mm for slab terraces and the Essential Adjustable Pedestal 8 to 20 mm for joist installation, are specially designed for low-height terraces. They allow you to raise the terrace slightly without requiring major structural modifications.

Their innovative design makes them easy to install, saves time and guarantees optimal durability, while respecting the constraints of your project.

In addition to new constructions, these thin pedestals are ideal for renovating existing terraces, but also for landscaping small spaces and small terraces such as balconies and patios.

It is also possible to use these low-profile pedestals around your swimming pool if the height of the recess is low.

The main constraint when building a raised patio is to leave enough space under construction to install all the necessary accessories.

Our advice is to leave a minimum clearance of 3 cm under the patio slab.

NB: If the slab has a slope, use self-levelling pedestals, which will compensate for up to 5%. The same applies if the surface of the slab is uneven.

The advised spacing between your pedestals depends on the flooring you have chosen.

For a paved patio, the spacing between the pedestals (whether self-levelling or not) depends on the size of your tiles. You will need to place at least one pedestal in each corner. So, if your tile measures 60×60 cm, you simply need to place your pedestals every 60 centimetres. For certain tile sizes, such as 90×90 or 120×30, you will also need to add pedestals along the lengths to ensure proper support for the tile. Always refer to your tile manufacturer’s recommendations.

For a wooden or composite patio, we generally recommend a spacing of 70 cm between each pedestal (depending on the type of wood and the joist cross-section). The spacing between the joists will depend on the type of decking: 50 cm between joists for natural wood decking and 40 cm between joists for composite wood decking (check with the manufacturer).

For further info, please feel free to consult our practical guide on how to calculate the number of pedestals. The most reliable approach is to consult your decking’s manufacturer.

For a pedestrian walkway, we recommend choosing gravel with a grain size of 5/15 or 8/16 so that it is dense enough to properly fill the cells of our plates while allowing for water drainage.

We recommend the addition of a 2 cm top layer of 5/15 or 8/16 driveable gravel to ensure that all the cells are completely filled. Once the gravel has been poured into the stabilisation module, it should no longer be possible to see the grid itself.

European timbers, including many softwoods, have the advantage of being generally more affordable than more exotic timbers.

• If the ecological impact of your project is an important factor, you might decide to use a European or even French-grown timber.
• Exotic timbers, on the other hand, are generally more costly, but tend to be more durable.

So it is clear that each species of timber has its own advantages and disadvantages. The best thing to do is speak to your supplier, who will be able to guide you towards the best choice on the basis of your visual, ecological and other preferences.