Frequently Asked Questions

The durability of a terrace built on aluminium joists depends on several criteria.

• It is highly recommended that you prepare the ground properly so that the levelling of the terrain is stable, thereby guaranteeing the durability of the pedestal supports. We recommend that you watch our video on ground preparation to find out more.
• The choice of aluminium decking joists is itself a factor in the durability of the decking, as already mentioned in the section on the advantages of this installation system. The aluminium material makes the joists rot-proof and highly resistant to weathering and UV rays.
• The decking must be installed correctly on aluminium joists. To do this, we recommend that you read our installation advice. The joists must be fixed and aligned. Use our self-drilling screws, accessories from our range, to ensure the durability of your deck.
• Floor insulation: to prevent moisture rising, we recommend installing aluminium joists on wedges or pedestals. Jouplast® deck pedestals are the best choice for optimal adjustment.
• Use joist protection strips between the joists and decking boards to prevent water retention and extend the life of your aluminium joist decking.

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

All our solutions are suitable for any type of structure, whether it is on a balcony, a patio or a slope. For sloping ground, carefully choose self-levelling pedestals and make sure that they are adapted to the slope of your garden.

The height of your elevated wooden deck will depend on the available clearance space (between the ground and the glass door thresholds of your house, for example).

To calculate the height of the pedestals to use, it is important to take into account:

• The thickness of your wooden decking boards;
• The thickness of the joist (or joists in the case of cross-joisting);
• The thickness of the hidden decking if you decide to use Fixego, for example;
• The thickness of the joist protection strip

Then, you simply need to subtract all these heights from your clearance height to determine the space you have left and thus choose the correct pedestal height. If the pedestals are still too high, you can lay your decking on shims. The most important thing is not to lay your joists directly on the ground, as these could become damaged very quickly.

We now offer a wide range to suit all your needs, from 8mm to 230mm and beyond, by adding risers to your Jouplast® PVC pedestals.

The number of pedestals you will need depends, of course, on the area to be covered and also on the size of your tiles / wooden boards:

• For a patio with 60x60cm tiles and a surface area of 20m², you will need 4 pedestals per m², or 80 pedestals in total.
• For a patio with 80x80cm tiles and a surface area of 40m², you will need 7 pedestals per m², or 280 pedestals.

Further details about the number of pedestals per m² based on the tile / decking boards dimensions and the patio area are available in our pedestals calculation table.

GREENPLAC® can be used to stabilise ground for equestrian use, such as paddocks, access paths, riding arenas and training tracks/arenas. Areas intended for competition are excluded.

Depending on the nature of your soil and the intended use, there are three types of stabilisation available:

Installation without foundations is possible for covered projects on well-drained or load-bearing soils with sufficient slope. It can be used for temporary projects.
Implementation with minimal foundations is recommended for moderately draining and load-bearing soils.
Implementation with conventional foundations is recommended for low-bearing and impermeable soils such as muddy soil.
If in doubt, do not hesitate to ask a specialist for a geological analysis (drainage and load-bearing capacity) of your soil.

Our recommendation is to fill the honeycomb tiles to the top with crushed gravel graded to between 5 mm (min.) and 16 mm (max.).

Jouplast® 3 mm flat packers are suitable for many different uses. Their integral moulded lugs make them stackable, and they can be combined with ridged wedges for even more precise adjustments. Their snappable design makes them adaptable to meet different size requirements: they can therefore be used in one piece or snapped into 2 or 4 sections, depending on project requirements. For guaranteed stability, they can be screwed, glued or nailed directly to the structure.

The paved terrace side cladding support is compatible with standard Essentiel adjustable paving riser pedestals, with the exception of the 8/20 pedestal and all the self-levelling pedestals. It is also compatible with Essentiel decking pedestals from 40 mm upwards.

The Cleman® self-levelling 55/80 patio pedestal is intended for use on uneven ground or a concrete slab. It offers three stages of adjustment for precise setting: pre-setting using the driver bit, manual setting using the screw adjuster, and final adjustment using the special adjustment wrench. Each paving slab must be supported by multiple pedestals positioned at each corner and, if necessary, at the centre.

The number of pedestals required depends on the total area to be covered and the format of the paving used:

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

The precise calculation of the number of pedestals may vary depending on the type of covering and the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Jouplast® multipurpose forked packers can be used for a wide range of interior and exterior jobs: fitting and adjustment of joinery (doors, windows, frames, etc.), installing cladding and panelling, furniture assembly, assembling timber structures, fixing component parts of frame structures, packing for timber terraces, etc. Their robust structure and ease of use make them an essential tool for professionals and DIYers.

Our strong recommendation is to prepare the ground correctly before beginning the project. The choice of aluminium decking joists is crucial for durability. Laying a decking terrace on aluminium joists must be done correctly. Having made that choice, our advice is to read the installation instructions. Using our joist protection tape between the joists and decking boards prevents water retention and extends the life of the aluminium joist decking.

The Jouplast® isolation mat should be inserted between the terrace riser pedestals and the substrate (paved or other solid surface, for example). It can also be used on waterproofed substrates. It is simply inserted under the riser pedestal before terrace construction. Several mats can be laid on top of each other where the extra thickness is needed to adjust the height or provide a greater level of insolation. Please note that these mats are suitable for outdoor use only and should not be used on aggregate surfaces.

The Cleman® adjustment wrench is quick and easy to use. Once the paving has been laid, insert the wrench where the paving slabs intersect and adjust by turning counterclockwise to raise the height of the rise of pedestal, or clockwise to lower the height. This process enables the height and alignment of paving slabs to be precisely adjusted for optimum results. If any resistance is felt during the adjustment process, our recommendation is to stop turning the wrench and complete the adjustment manually using the screw adjuster.

Our recommendation is to fill the honeycomb tiles with crushed gravel graded to between 5 mm (min.) and 10 mm (max.).

Natural stone, ceramic, composite materials, or decking boards can be used to cover the staircase. It is also possible to build a concrete formwork and then apply a façade cladding over it.

Your joist pedestals must be installed on a prepared, untreated ground surface or a concrete slab. We strongly advise against installing them directly on soil without stabilisation, due to the risk of settlement or ground movement caused by weather conditions (rain, drought) or the weight of the structure. Whether you are installing your pedestals on an unfinished ground surface or a concrete slab, the surface must be clean, stable and properly levelled to ensure a durable and secure decking.

Fixego® is an innovative invisible fixing system designed for installing wooden decking boards without visible screws. Fixego® provides an attractive, uniform finish and extends the life of your deck. UV, frost, and tear resistant, it is particularly suitable for renovation or board replacement projects.

When it comes to your raised patio, the choice of one type of edge finish over another depends mainly on your personal taste in outdoor design :

• For a look similar to a light or beige flooring, such as a travertine-effect finish, opt for the pearl white RAL 1013 profile.
• For a look with darker, grey-toned shades, choose the anthracite grey RAL 7016 profile.
• If you prefer an industrial or even metallic look, we recommend picking the aluminium grey profile range.
• If you prefer to keep the same colour as the tiles used on the rest of your patio, then we recommend going for a finish with cut-to-size tiles and using a side finishing plate and lateral riser support.