Raised Decking

Enhance your outdoor terrace with the timeless charm of timber

There is nothing quite like a wooden deck to bring a warm, welcoming atmosphere and enhance your outdoor space. A wooden deck terrace offers a natural and unique look thanks to the individual character of each wooden decking board. With a wide range of wood species available, you can create a space perfectly aligned with your budget and your taste. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, wood is a very robust and anti-slip material. Easy to maintain with just a few simple steps, your wooden terrace will withstand the bad weather.

How to build a raised decking step by step

Before you start building your elevated deck, it is important to consider your project as a whole. Although installing timber decking on JOUPLAST® pedestals or shims is straightforward, we recommend following our tips to ensure your raised decking area lasts for years to come. Ready? Let’s get started!

Step 1: Before the construction work

Make sure the key aspects of your landscaping project have been clearly defined before starting any construction work.

First: pick your installation method. Whether you choose single joists, cross joisting, double joisting or double cross joisting will be crucial for calculating the amount of material you will need to build your garden decking.  To visualise these different installation techniques and learn about their benefits, you can consult our comprehensive guides or use our app.

Also consider the direction in which you plan on laying your decking boards; they should be laid parallel to the wall that contains the doorway to access the patio.

Do not overlook the slope of your elevated wooden deck. We recommend a slope of 1 cm per linear metre to facilitate drainage and water runoff.

Finally, choose your decking boards and joists carefully. It is essential to use joists made from the same type of wood as the decking boards, or of a higher grade. The structure of a deck laid on adjustable pedestals must be constructed using wooden or aluminium joists, not composite ones, in order to prevent expansion. We advise you to contact your timber supplier to be advised on this matter.

Keep in mind that you must comply with your local building regulations. We strongly recommend that you draw up a joint layout plan and carefully calculate the height between the floor and the decking beforehand.

Step 2: Ground preparation

Before installing any patio pedestals, it is important to stabilise the ground beneath them to ensure the longevity of the raised decking area. To establish a solid base, 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 pedestals can be installed correctly.

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

Step 3: Installation of the pedestals

 Jouplast offers several solutions for building a raised decking on pedestals. You can use the Essentiel joist pedestal or our EASIO® self-levelling pedestal. For a deck on metal posts, choose the Elevo® pedestals. Finally, our Profildeck® aluminium joists ensure stability whilst also allowing you to mix and match the materials used for your decking.

Our adjustable pedestals are available in heights ranging from 10 mm to 230 mm and should be chosen according to the desired decking height. Installing your raised timber decking on pedestals does not require fixing the pedestals or use any glue or deck screws. You can also combine your pedestals with risers to increase their height if needed. It is possible to place an isolation pad under the pedestals to make them slip-resistant. Adding this pad is strongly recommended to prevent the pedestals from moving on the ground.

When installing the pedestals, bear in mind that the spacing between them must be even. We generally recommend 70 cm, to be adjusted according to the choice of joists and type of wood you are using. Also ensure that your pedestals are properly aligned.

If you wish to hide cables, now is the time! Installation on pedestals is perfect for this.

Step 4: Installation of the joists

Installing the joists is a crucial step. The quality of this structure will play a crucial part in the longevity of your raised decking. We therefore recommend choosing high-quality joists.

First, determine the correct centre-to-centre distance between each joist before installing them and securing them to the PVC pedestals with screws. You can then easily adjust the height of the pedestals by turning the green nut to the desired height starting with the riser pedestal situated at each end.

To protect your decking, it is essential to apply a protective cover tape to your joists. This step will prevent your decking structure from deteriorating due to moisture and run-off water.

Step 5: Laying the wooden decking boards

Lay the wooden decking boards leaving a 5mm gap between each board. If necessary, you can use spacers.

To secure your wooden boards, you can use screws or our Fixego hidden-decking system.

Do not forget to finish the edge of your raised decking. If its height allows it, you can also use our lateral riser support.

Once you have completed the installation of your raised decking area, remember to protect the wood following the recommendations provided by your timber supplier.

Cost of a raised decking

The cost of a raised timber decking depends on the area size, the flooring and the cost of labour. On average, you should expect to pay between £30 and £200 per m² for the installation of a raised timber decking, depending on the type of wood chosen and any ground levelling required. Timber decking patios can be more affordable than paved patios, but you must however consider the long-term maintenance costs.

How to maintain a raised deck

It is important to protect the wood from the elements, UV rays, temperature fluctuations and insects. There are many protective products available, such as varnishes, wood oils, water-repellent treatments and wood sealants. However, each type of wood requires a specific treatment.

Whether you have chosen softwood or exotic wood, we recommend seeking advice from the manufacturer of the decking boards to ensure you apply the correct products to your wooden floor terrace, guaranteeing the best possible result and durability.

Cleaning your raised decking regularly is also very important. If there are any stains, you can for instance use a little soapy water (mild soap solution) and a scrubbing brush. This cleaning method should be adapted to suit the type of wood of your timber deck.