Paving Riser Pedestals

To ensure the stability of your terrace, it is essential to install your pedestals on properly prepared ground. Installation directly on soil, without earthworks or stabilisation, is strongly discouraged: the ground may settle or move over time due to weather conditions (rain, drought) or the weight of the structure. We recommend using our pedestals on raw, pre-stabilised ground or on a concrete slab. In both cases, the substrate must be clean, stable and well levelled to ensure the long-term durability of your project.

The spacing between pedestals will depend on the size of the slabs you are using.

As a general rule, one pedestal is needed at each corner of the slab.

For example, for 60 x 60 cm slabs, the pedestals should be spaced 60 cm apart in both directions.

For larger formats (such as 90 x 90 cm or 120 x 30 cm), it may be necessary to add a pedestal in the centre or along the sides to ensure proper support.

Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for your slabs to determine the ideal spacing.

Before starting work, it is essential to estimate the number of pedestals you will need to purchase. Here are the steps to follow to estimate the quantity of pedestals required:

Start by measuring the surface area of your patio and drawing up a layout plan, taking into account the recommended spacing for the type of paving slabs. Generally, a pedestal is placed at each corner of the slab, but some formats or materials may require additional support points, and therefore additional pedestals.

To find out the recommended spacing between each pedestal, we recommend that you consult the appropriate installation advice, available on the product sheet for the pedestal you are using, and the recommendations of your flooring manufacturer.

To calculate the number of pedestals:

• Divide the length of the terrace 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 to have a few spare pieces in reserve.

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.