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Deck construction with adjustable pedestals
Created on: 7 April 2025
Deck construction with adjustable pedestals
Whether you are building a new deck or renovating an existing one, there are several important aspects to consider when planning your project. Although constructing a deck is generally straightforward and often suitable for DIY enthusiasts, it is essential to decide at the outset which installation method will be used.
For a deck to withstand long-term exposure to the elements and to protect the decking from weather, pests, and rot, it requires a particularly robust substructure with high load-bearing capacity.
The type of substructure suitable for your decking project depends not only on the specific conditions on site but also on the choice of decking material. Once the decking material and substructure type have been determined, the appropriate installation method can be selected.
Installing decks on adjustable pedestals has proven especially effective and has steadily grown in popularity. Find out here what adjustable pedestals are, their advantages, and the differences you should be aware of!
TOC: Adjustable pedestals | Substrate | Installation method | Adjustable pedestals from Eurotec | SL BASE | SL PRO | GIANT | PRO CERA | Media library
Adjustable pedestals
Adjustable pedestals are plastic supports made of weather-resistant polypropylene, also known as pedestal supports or deck supports. They consist of three main components: the top plate (head), the threaded section (middle part), and the base plate (foot).
With adjustable pedestals, balcony and deck surfaces can be securely installed without the use of mortar. They have a defined base height and can be adjusted in height to varying degrees depending on the model, thanks to a threaded mechanism. This design always ensures a certain distance between the decking surface and the subfloor, protecting the top layer from moisture and other environmental influences.
Pedestal supports are suitable for decks constructed with either stone slabs or decking boards. Stone slabs can be placed directly on the pedestals or mounted using an intermediate substructure. In contrast, when using decking boards, a substructure made of wood or aluminium is required to allow proper attachment to the pedestals.
The right subfloor for adjustable pedestals
A crucial aspect of deck construction is the subfloor, which should never be underestimated, as it must support the deck safely over a long period. The subfloor serves as the foundation for the entire structure and must therefore meet certain requirements.
Even when installing pedestal supports, proper preparation of the ground is essential. The subfloor must provide sufficient stability and firmness so that the pedestals stand securely and do not sink. In addition, it should be free of strong vibrations or ground movements, as these could cause the deck structure to warp.
However, building a deck with pedestal supports does not always require a poured foundation. Pedestals are also suitable for installation on tiles, concrete slabs, gravel, or crushed stone. The surface should generally be flat, level, and firm. If the garden subfloor is too uneven or unstable, preparing a substructure with gravel or foundation stones can be advantageous.
For roof terraces or balconies, it is additionally important that the subfloor has a slope of approximately 1.5–2.0% away from the building to ensure proper drainage of water that passes through the open joints of the decking. In garden applications, a permeable surface is sufficient.
Installation method with many advantages
Because pedestal supports allow for the construction of a wide range of decking projects, they have steadily grown in popularity. They provide a stable and secure substructure, forming a solid foundation for any deck. In addition, adjustable pedestals make it possible to install different types of decking materials and offer numerous advantages over traditional installation directly on the ground.
Easy handling
One advantage of pedestal supports is their simple and quick installation. They are very user-friendly, can be installed with minimal effort, and are therefore ideal for DIY projects. Additionally, no special tools are required, making it easy to attach the decking to the pedestals.
Weather resistance
Pedestal supports are primarily made from polypropylene (PP) or polycarbonate-reinforced polypropylene (PP-C). This material gives the pedestals excellent chemical resistance and makes them resistant to weather, UV exposure, rot, and insects. Thanks to their durability against external influences, they provide an ideal foundation for any decking construction.
Versatility and expansion options
Adjustable pedestals are highly versatile: they can be used for decks with either stone slabs or decking boards. This is made possible by the variety of models and designs available. Pedestals differ particularly in terms of height adjustment and load-bearing capacity.
Some pedestals are designed for high load capacity, making them suitable for supporting heavy stone slabs or ceramic tiles as single supports. Others feature extended height adjustment to compensate for large differences in elevation.
In addition, a range of accessories helps optimize deck construction with pedestals. These include extension rings and adapters. Extension rings allow for individual height adjustments when the standard height is insufficient, while adapters enable functional adaptation to the chosen decking material. For example, special adapters with cross spacers are provided for stone slabs to ensure consistent joint spacing.
Overall, the system works like a modular construction kit, significantly simplifying installation and making the process more efficient.
Height adjustment and slope compensation
Another advantage of adjustable pedestals is that non-fixed models are equipped with a threaded mechanism, allowing for continuous height adjustment to easily compensate for uneven ground. Even larger slopes are no problem for height-adjustable pedestals. Selected products can even be adjusted in height after installation using a special tool.
In addition, some pedestals feature a self-leveling head, which ensures optimal slope compensation and a perfectly flat and even deck surface. This feature also allows the necessary deck slope of 1–2% for proper drainage to be achieved.
No water accumulation and frost damage
Since the decking is installed without mortar, open joints remain between the slabs or boards. This allows rainwater to drain freely, preventing puddles and water buildup. As a result, moss growth and frost damage during the cold season are minimized, protecting the decking from potential damage.
Additionally, the height of the adjustable pedestals keeps the substructure and decking off the ground, ensuring constant ventilation and preventing the formation of stagnant water.
Additional space for pipes and cables
Another advantage of using adjustable pedestals is the gap created beneath the deck. Depending on the pedestal height, this space can be larger or smaller. This area allows for the optimal installation and concealment of pipes or cables, ensuring that the deck maintains a neat and attractive overall appearance.
Plan your next decking project with Eurotec adjustable pedestals
With our decking and garden construction range, we offer customers a wide selection of adjustable pedestals. The different product lines are suitable for decks with either stone slabs or decking boards. Depending on the design, the products are intended for different applications. Below, we present three of our pedestal models in more detail:
SL BASE adjustable pedestals
Our SL BASE S to XL pedestals are perfect for your next decking project, whether for aluminium or wood substructures. Depending on your individual requirements, they are available in a range of heights from 3.2 cm to 21.7 cm.
A special advantage of these pedestals is their continuously self-leveling head, which allows for easy compensation of uneven ground or slopes of up to 7%. Each pedestal has a load-bearing capacity of 2.2 kN and comes standard with the SL BASE-L adapter. This adapter enables the attachment of a substructure made from aluminium or wood profiles.
Additionally, the L-adapter can be replaced with either the SL BASE-Adapter 40 or SL BASE-Adapter 60, which are suitable for aluminium profiles with click systems and compatible with various Eurotec aluminium system profiles.
SL PRO adjustable pedestals
The SL PRO M and SL PRO L adjustable pedestals are, just like the SL BASE range, perfectly suited for installing aluminium and timber substructures in outdoor areas. They are available in construction heights from 5.5 cm to 10.2 cm. The head is continuously self-leveling, allowing for slope compensation of up to 8%.
In contrast to the SL BASE products, the SL PRO pedestals are designed for higher loads. Each pedestal has a load-bearing capacity of 8.0 kN. In addition, they feature excellent chemical resistance, UV stability, and acoustic damping properties.
The SL PRO pedestals can be combined with our L-adapter, +4 extension ring, or +10 extension ring, making them easy to adapt to your individual requirements and site conditions. The L-adapter enables simple installation of both classic timber and modern aluminium substructures, while the extension rings allow for an increase in the base height by an additional 4 cm or 10 cm.
GIANT adjustable pedestals
Our GIANT product range consists of the GIANT S to XL adjustable pedestals with a stepless adjustment range from 4 cm to 22 cm. One of the outstanding features of these pedestals is their exceptionally high load-bearing capacity: when installed, each pedestal can withstand loads of up to 22 kN. This makes them particularly suitable for the single-point support of heavy, large-format stone slabs and ceramic tiles.
For easier installation of the slabs, each pedestal is equipped with a stone adapter. The four clips of the adapter hold the slabs securely in place and ensure a uniform joint spacing. In addition, an Elasto disc provides effective impact sound insulation.
The GIANT pedestals are resistant to weather, UV exposure, insects and decay. Their construction height can be increased by an additional 17 cm using our GIANT extension ring. When using the extension ring, the load capacity per pedestal is 19 kN.
Another advantage is that the GIANT pedestals can be adjusted in height even after installation. The adjustment key is simply inserted through the joint, allowing the pedestal to be set to the desired height. Please make sure to follow the specifications in the product data sheet for this procedure.
PRO CERA adjustable pedestals
The PRO CERA range consists of six adjustable pedestals with stepless height adjustment. With a load-bearing capacity of 8.0 kN per pedestal, they are primarily designed for stone decks (ceramic slabs) with different construction heights. The base height ranges from 42.8 mm to 170.8 mm and can be further increased using PRO extension rings. The tilting head allows for slope compensation of up to 7% while ensuring a stable base for ceramic tiles. In combination with a pre-installed impact sound insulation disc, vibrations caused by walking, jumping, or other movements are effectively reduced.
The pedestals feature 4 mm joint spacers, which automatically align the tiles with each other. These spacers can be easily removed along a predetermined breaking point, allowing for individual laying patterns. Like all our pedestals, the PRO CERA models are resistant to weathering, UV radiation, rot, and insects, ensuring long-lasting durability.
In addition to the three product lines presented, we also offer the Profi-Line and BASE-Line adjustable pedestals. You can find further information and technical details about these products on our website.
As we are constantly working to expand our range and optimize existing products, you will always find the right solutions for decking and landscaping projects at Eurotec.
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