Frequently Asked Questions

The surface on which the paved patio will be built must be prepared before work can begin. Unprepared ground (e.g. unprepared soil) may change over time and can be subject to movement. Depending on the weight it will subjected to and the local climate (dry periods, heavy rainfall, etc.). For these reasons, it is important to stabilise the ground beneath the patio to ensure long-term stability of your project.

Jouplast 5 mm flat packers are designed to meet minimal packing requirements across a broad range of joinery and construction projects. Their 5 mm thickness corrects any irregularities in the underlying structure and provides stable, durable packing. They also guarantee excellent ventilation of timber decking structures, in accordance with the recommendations of DTU 51.4. Very strong, they can support heavy loads with no deflection.

Aluminium joists offer many advantages that wood does not. Aluminium has the following performance characteristics:

First and foremost: durability over time. Aluminium structures are rot-proof, which makes them much more durable than wood.

Our aluminium joists are treated against corrosion to withstand humidity and even the salty climate found near swimming pools or the seaside. This is not the case with wood.

Jouplast® aluminium decking joists are much lighter to transport and install. Each joist measures 2.4 m and weighs 2.32 kg. In general, a pine joist of the same dimensions weighs between 3.5 and 4 kg, depending on the type of wood and its moisture content. This means that when handling joists on a building site, wooden joists are heavier than aluminium joists. This poses musculoskeletal risks that should not be overlooked.

If you are looking for a durable, easy-to-maintain solution that offers great stability, aluminium joists are an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a more economical option and appreciate the natural aesthetics of wood for decking boards, wooden decking joists may be more suitable, provided you are prepared to carry out regular maintenance.

The Cleman® self-levelling 80/130 patio pedestal can be used on stabilised uneven ground or an existing concrete slab. Its three-stage adjustment system provides quick and accurate height setting. It must be positioned under the paving in accordance with the recommendations of the paving manufacturer, with at least one pedestal at each corner of each paving slab.

The Cleman® patio pedestal must be installed on stabilised ground or an existing concrete slab. It must be positioned under the paving in accordance with the recommendations of the paving manufacturer, with at least one pedestal at each corner of each paving slab. Its progressive adjustment system allows height adjustment before, during and after installation, ensuring optimum alignment and a perfect finished installation.

The Profildeck® anti-condensation tape is designed to limit the formation of condensation as a result of variations in temperature and to limit damp rising between joists and decking boards. This reduces the risk of timber deterioration and protects the decking structure. Self-adhesive and untearable, it ensures installation durability and effectiveness.

The Jouplast® rubber joist support pad is designed to make decking construction easier by supporting and cushioning the joists. Made from recycled tyre rubber, it provides effective isolation against damp and ensures good ventilation of the structure, reducing the risk of the timber structure rotting and deteriorating. It also improves comfort in use by dampening transmitted impact noise.

Yes, the 3mm terrace spacer is a multipurpose accessory. It can be used with different types of terrace surface, including ceramic paving, tiles and even timber decking boards. Ensures precise and consistent spacing, regardless of the material used.

The Cleman® hexagonal bit is used to set the precise height of Cleman® riser pedestals during installation and after completion of the project. A simple and effective way to precisely set riser pedestal heights.

MODULESCA® 20 cm step modules can be used to create straight or curving flights of garden steps. Depending on the slope of the terrain, tread dimensions and gradients may vary. For example the maximum terrain gradient for a straight flight of steps is 36° (70%). For curving steps, the external radius of a 20 cm module and a single step is 1,960 mm, with a maximum angle of rotation of 10°.

Our paving stone stabiliser is suitable for all concrete paving stones measuring 15 x 15 cm and 6 cm high. We also allow stone or sandstone paving stones, even though they are less common because they are more expensive.

We recommend choosing paving stones with smooth sides without protrusions. The paving stones must not be aged. Often when they are aged, they have been tapped and have irregularities. This makes them unique and attractive but uneven. Using this type of paving stone would make installation and traffic on our paving stone stabilisers unstable.

The manufacturing tolerance according to standard NF EN 1338 is +/-3mm on the 150 mm side.

This type of paving stone is easily found in DIY superstores or building material suppliers.

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

To calculate the height of the pedestals you will need, it is important to take into account: the thickness of your wooden decking boards, the thickness of the joists (or joists in the case of cross joisting), the thickness of the invisible fasteners if you decide to use Fixego, for example, but also the thickness of the joist protection strip.

Then simply subtract all these heights from your reservation height to find out how much space you have left and choose the right pedestal height. Are the pedestals still too high? You can lay your decking on wedges. The most important thing is not to lay your joists directly on the ground, as they could get damaged very quickly.

We now offer a wide range to meet all your needs, from 8 mm to 230 mm and more, by adding extensions to your Jouplast® PVC pedestals.

Yes, it is essential to prepare the surface on which the pedestals will be installed. An unprepared surface (e.g. laying directly on soil or grass) may change over time and shift depending on the weight it bears and weather conditions (drought, heavy rain, etc.). This is why you must stabilise the ground to ensure the long-term durability of your project.

Jouplast® low-profile decking pedestals are sturdy and resistant to heavy loads. More specifically, they have a crush resistance rating of over 1 tonne. However, it is important to note that the maximum load supported by wooden, composite or slab decking on pedestals does not depend solely on the strength of the pedestals.

Each type of decking has its own load-bearing capacity. To find out more precisely how much weight your wood, composite or slab decking can bear, we recommend that you contact your supplier or the decking manufacturer.

Building a raised patio on pedestals has many advantages, but it is also important to be aware of a few cons – or rather, constraints:

• A certain amount of space is required beneath the concrete slab to install the patio on the pedestals. If the ground is too low, we recommend using Jouplast® products such as our cross slab, a stabilising spacer designed to ensure the slabs are laid with consistent spacing.
• An area with lots of gaps beneath a patio could attract pests or flying insects. However, by choosing Jouplast® pedestals, you are guaranteed that water drains away properly, preventing mosquitoes or flies from breeding.
• The cost of the patio and its materials should be taken into account when deciding to build a raised patio.

Surfaces such as concrete slabs, ceramic tiles, exotic wood or imitation wood decking will cost the same whether for a raised patio or a traditional patio laid with mortar, glued or screwed down.

The cost of the patio pedestals is an additional factor compared to a traditional installation. However, they are versatile and easy enough to use to offset the cost of having a traditional patio installed by a professional landscaper. Thus, in just one day and with a single person, it is possible to build a raised patio on pedestals of approximately 20m².

Each pedestal type has its own specific installation method. To ensure you follow the correct installation steps, we recommend you read the installation guide for the pedestals you have chosen for your project.

However, we can summarise the installation of decking pedestals in a few simple steps:

• Preparing the ground: preparing the ground is essential before starting your project. On a concrete slab, you must ensure that the surface is clear of any obstacles to ensure your pedestals are properly stabilised. On natural ground, make sure to properly level and compact the ground. To do this, remove the topsoil to a depth of approximately 15 cm, then lay a geotextile before creating a base layer of 0/31.5 crushed stone. For best results, compact the entire surface using a vibrating plate. Proper levelling ensures the durability of your decking area.
• Position the pedestals: install the pedestals following the layout plan and recommended spacing. The pedestals must be laid evenly and with the appropriate spacing (around 70 cm). Use a spirit level to check that each pedestal is level.
• Install the joists and wooden boards: start by adjusting the height of your pedestals. For a wooden or composite deck, secure the joists to the pedestals using suitable screws. You can then lay your decking boards, fixing them to the structure.
• Final adjustments: check the alignment and stability of the entire structure. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure a uniform and safe surface. Don’t forget the edges of the patio, which you can also finish to ensure a clean, modern look.

For detailed and specific instructions, we recommend consulting the installation guides provided on the product page of the pedestal you are using. They contain precise information and illustrations to guide you step by step.

We can reasonably estimate the cost of a gravel courtyard for a private individual, if self-installed, to be between €15 and €30 per square meter. For this approximately 100m² driveway, you should therefore budget at least €1500 for materials, including gravel and cellular paving grids, which seems to be a very reasonable budget for a durable, aesthetic, and ecological arrangement. Your gravel driveway will also be accessible to people with reduced mobility (PRM), which is an additional advantage.

The CLEMAN® and EASIO® pedestal extension increases the height of your pedestals by 10 mm. It is suitable for slab patios with the standard or self-levelling CLEMAN® pedestal, as well as for installing wooden or composite decking with the EASIO® pedestal.

Jouplast snappable 5mm flat packers are easy to handle and adapt. Their integral moulded lugs make them stackable to achieve the desired thickness, and they can be combined with ridged wedges for more precise adjustments. Their snappable design makes them adaptable to meet a range of requirements, either in one piece or snapped into 2 or 4 sections. To guarantee their stability, they can be screwed, glued or nailed directly to the structure to be shimmed.

The durability of a terrace built using aluminium joists depends on a number of criteria :

• For maximum durability, we recommend preparing the ground correctly before beginning the project to ensure that the surface is level and stable enough to ensure a long life for the riser pedestal installation
• Build your terrace in accordance with our installation instructions and advice
• Lay the joists on Jouplast packers or riser pedestals to prevent rising damp
• Use joist protection tape, etc.