Frequently Asked Questions

Our self-levelling pedestals are available exclusively for the slab and timber decking patios.

Yes, Jouplast’s low-profile pedestals, such as the 8 to 20 mm adjustable models, are particularly suitable for small spaces such as balconies and patios. These pedestals are designed for very low installation heights, making them ideal for areas where height is limited.

They are quick and easy to install, even on existing surfaces such as tiles or concrete slabs, while ensuring optimal stability and durability.

What’s more, their millimetre-precise adjustment ensures a perfect fit for your space, facilitating the transition between indoors and outdoors.

Before you start building your patio, it is important to check that you have the necessary permits.

If you own the property, that your patio is less than 20m² and is not raised, or only slightly raised, you will usually not need a planning application. However, for a terrace larger than 20m² or raised (generally from 40cm upwards), an authorization will be required (depending on your circumstances).

For additional information, we advise you to contact your local council directly.

If you are a leaseholder, do not forget to seek permission from your property manager.

Here are the steps to follow to estimate the number of pedestals you will need to build your wooden or composite decking.

First, measure the area of your decking and draw up your installation plan, considering the recommended spacing for your flooring material.

To know the recommended spacing between each pedestal, please refer to the relevant installation guide, available on the product page for the decking pedestal you are using, and the advice from your wood manufacturer.

To calculate the number of pedestals:

• Divide the length of the deck by the recommended spacing between two pedestals, then do the same with the width.
• Multiply the two results to obtain the total number of pedestals required.
• Remember to add extra pedestals for edges, corners or specific cuts.
• Always round up to the nearest whole number for optimum stability and keep a few spares in reserve.

For further details, please refer to our practical guide to calculating decking pedestals.

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.

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.

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…