Balance Adjustable Pedestals: A Comprehensive Guide for Paving and Decking

Balance Adjustable Pedestals have revolutionised the construction industry by providing a versatile and reliable solution for both paving and decking. These self-levelling pedestals are designed to accommodate differences in the deck surface, ensuring a completely flat upper surface. Whether you’re paving a terrace or installing timber decking, Balance Adjustable Pedestals offer a host of advantages that make them the ideal choice.

Table of Contents

1. What are Balance Adjustable Pedestals?
2. Key Features of Balance Adjustable Pedestals
3. Advantages of Using Balance Adjustable Pedestals
4. How to Install Balance Adjustable Pedestals
5. Applications of Balance Adjustable Pedestals in Paving
6. Applications of Balance Adjustable Pedestals in Decking
7. Additional Features of Balance Adjustable Pedestals
8. Quality and Durability of Balance Adjustable Pedestals
9. Sustainability Considerations
10. Ordering and Delivery Information
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Conclusion

1. What are Balance Adjustable Pedestals?

Balance Adjustable Pedestals are innovative supporting legs made from injection-moulded virgin fibre polypropylene, designed to suspend paving slabs and decking joists on the headpiece. They are self-levelling, meaning they can automatically adjust to accommodate differences in the deck surface.

2. Key Features of Balance Adjustable Pedestals

The following features make Balance Adjustable Pedestals a preferred choice for both paving and decking applications:

• Self-levelling Headpiece: The headpiece can accommodate up to a 5% or 2.86° slope correction in all directions. This ensures a completely flat upper surface, irrespective of any irregularities in the deck surface.
• Telescopic Stem: The pedestals come with a telescopic stem that can be manually adjusted to achieve the desired height. This can be done even when the slab or decking joist is in place, saving considerable time and effort.
• Weight Tolerance: Each pedestal can tolerate a weight of up to 683 kg per unit. They have been lab-tested to withstand temperatures ranging from +75°C to -40°C, ensuring reliable performance under various weather conditions.
• Rubber Anti-shock Pad: A rubber anti-shock pad is fitted onto the headpiece. This provides better grip, helps insulate against vibration and noise, and enhances the overall stability of the installation.

3. Advantages of Using Balance Adjustable Pedestals

Using Balance Adjustable Pedestals for your paving and decking projects comes with a host of advantages:

• Versatility: They are suitable for both paving and decking, making them a versatile solution for various construction needs.
• Easy Installation: The pedestals are easy to install and do not require any mechanical fixings. This significantly reduces the installation time and the associated labour costs.
• Improved Drainage: The design of the pedestals promotes better drainage, preventing the accumulation of standing water on the surface. This makes the paved or decked area safer and less slippery.
• Maintenance Access: Since the pedestals form a suspended system, the slabs or decking can be easily lifted for maintenance, inspection, or to access any cables or pipes underneath.
• Aesthetics and Space Utilisation: The pedestals help hide unsightly objects like cables, water pipes, and drainage outlets under the paving slabs or decking, enhancing the aesthetics and optimising the building footprint.

4. How to Install Balance Adjustable Pedestals

Installing Balance Adjustable Pedestals is a straightforward process:

1. Placement: Place the pedestals on a flat, hard surface. Remember, they do not require any mechanical fixings.
2. Adjustment: Adjust the height of the pedestal by twisting the stem. This can be done even when the slab or decking joist is in place.
3. Installation: If you’re paving, lay the slab onto the headpiece of the pedestal so that four corners of the slab rest on each headpiece. If you’re installing decking, lay the timber joist between the lugs on the headpiece.
4. Finalising: The weight of the slabs or decking holds everything in place.

5. Applications of Balance Adjustable Pedestals in Paving

In paving applications, the self-levelling headpiece of the Balance Adjustable Pedestals helps achieve a completely flat and uniform paving line. The lugs on the headpiece separate the paving slabs, allowing sufficient drainage between them. The integrated rubber anti-shock pad provides a better grip to the slab and helps insulate against vibration and noise.

6. Applications of Balance Adjustable Pedestals in Decking

When used for decking, the lugs on the headpiece of the Balance Adjustable Pedestals provide a 55mm gap to house a timber joist securely. This makes the installation of decking systems much faster than traditional methods. The decking boards are then fixed to the timber joist frame without needing to cut furrings.

7. Additional Features of Balance Adjustable Pedestals

The Balance Adjustable Pedestals also come with some additional features for enhanced flexibility and ease of use:

• Top Key System: A special key can be used to adjust the height of the pedestal after the completion of the paving or decking project. This is particularly useful if any tiles start to rock or dip over time due to the movement of the structure.
• Fixed Height Option: The pedestals come with a self-levelling headpiece as standard. However, by using a special “grey nut”, the headpiece can be locked and fixed, offering both self-levelling and fixed head options in the same pedestal.

8. Quality and Durability of Balance Adjustable Pedestals

Made from injection-moulded virgin fibre polypropylene, the Balance Adjustable Pedestals are robust, stable, and durable. They are designed to withstand extremes of temperature and load, ensuring reliable performance under various weather conditions.

9. Sustainability Considerations

The Balance Adjustable Pedestals are made from polypropylene, a type of plastic that is non-hazardous and fully recyclable. This makes them an environmentally friendly choice for paving and decking applications.

10. Ordering and Delivery Information

You can order Balance Adjustable Pedestals from various suppliers and online platforms. Make sure to check the delivery charges and delivery access requirements before placing your order. Also, ensure that you are present to accept the delivery to avoid any failed delivery charges.

11. Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about Balance Adjustable Pedestals:

• What surfaces can Balance Adjustable Pedestals be installed on?They can be installed on any flat, hard surface. However, they should not be placed on non-compacted earth.
• What is the weight tolerance of Balance Adjustable Pedestals?Each pedestal can tolerate a weight of up to 683 kg per unit.
• What are the height adjustment options for Balance Adjustable Pedestals?The pedestals come with a telescopic stem that allows manual height adjustment. The height can be adjusted from 25mm up to 1025mm, depending on the model.

12. Conclusion

Balance Adjustable Pedestals are an excellent solution for both paving and decking applications. Their self-levelling design, high weight tolerance, easy installation, and robust construction make them a versatile and reliable choice. Whether you’re working on a residential decking project or a commercial paving task, Balance Adjustable Pedestals can help you achieve stunning finishes with superior quality and ease.