What heights can our terrace pedestals accommodate?
The construction or renovation of a terrace on adjustable pedestals is a project where every detail matters. Choosing the right pedestal is key to a successful result: its height, material and load-bearing capacity are all determining factors in ensuring a stable and durable installation.
This guide will help you make the right choice and select the product that perfectly suits your project, whether you are building a wooden terrace, a composite terrace or a terrace with ceramic tiles.
What height should a terrace pedestal have?
The height is the first selection criterion. It corresponds to the distance between the ground or supporting surface, such as a concrete slab or stabilised base, and the underside of your terrace covering, whether this is a board or tile.
- Minimum height: For projects with limited build-up height, such as the renovation of an existing terrace or a level-access connection to a sliding door, fixed pedestals are available from 3 mm, while adjustable pedestals start from 23 mm.
- Maximum height: Thanks to stackable extension pieces, certain pedestals can reach heights of more than one metre. This makes it possible to compensate for significant height differences or to create steps and multi-level structures.
- How do you determine the ideal height? A terrace on pedestals is installed at the same level as the threshold. Thanks to the open joints, water can drain away easily while maintaining convenient access. The ideal height depends on the threshold of your door or sliding window. Subtract the thickness of your terrace covering, such as the tile or the board plus joist, from the total height to determine the required pedestal height.
Fixsol - Fixed terrace pedestals
The SOLIDOR range starts with fixed terrace pedestals, which are the lowest supports and make up the RC series. These pedestals, composed of a plate and a protective rubber layer, have a height of 10 mm, but are also available in 14 mm, 19 mm, and 24 mm. The only drawback is that they are not adjustable, and slopes cannot be corrected.
The main advantages of these pedestals are their soundproofing properties, thanks to a base made of protective rubber, and of course their low height, as mentioned earlier.
Assortiment Comfort
Finally, SOLIDOR offers its most widely used range, the Comfort assortment. This range is adjustable from 23 mm and can reach up to 1 meter in height when using extensions. The specific components for tiles and wooden decks provide flexibility and modularity.
In addition to standard pedestals, the Comfort range also includes terrace pedestals specially designed for wall finishes, known as the AK models.
Finally, the different ranges can be combined with each other when the ground presents varying heights.
Assortiment Liftsol
In addition to the ranges presented above, SOLIDOR also offers its foundation screws, exclusively for wooden terrace installations. Known as Liftsol, they are available in two sizes:
Liftsol XL: 65 cm long screw, height: 150 mm
Liftsol S: 65 cm long screw, height: 40 mm
This system provides a stable base on any type of ground, except sandy soils. It allows the combination of the long screws with the adjustable part, optional extension pieces, and the CPV+ plate. The Liftsol 65 XL and Liftsol 65 S screws can be screwed in or fixed to the ground using fast-setting concrete.
What distance should be between the pedestals?
The spacing of pedestals is crucial for proper load distribution.
- For a tile terrace: The calculation is simple. Place a pedestal at each corner of the tile. For example, for 60×60 cm tiles, the distance between pedestals will be 60 cm in both directions. For larger tiles (longer than 60 cm), a central pedestal is required for reinforcement.
- For a wooden deck: The distance depends on the size of the joist used. The smaller the joist section, the closer the pedestals need to be. Generally, a spacing of 50 to 70 cm between pedestals along the same joist is recommended.
It is always advisable to calculate the number of pedestals in advance using online calculators or by drawing a preliminary layout plan.
What is the maximum load capacity of the pedestals?
Load capacity is a crucial standard that ensures the pedestal will not give way under the weight of the terrace, garden furniture, and people. A quality adjustable pedestal can support a maximum load of over 800 kg. This extreme strength ensures rock-solid stability, even for the heaviest projects, such as those using reinforced concrete slabs.
