Enhancing Construction Efficiency: The Benefits of Wallbarn’s Heavy-Duty Pedestals

Wallbarn’s pedestals stand as a testament to the industry’s relentless pursuit of excellence. These high-performing pedestals have revolutionized the way surfaces are installed and maintained, offering a versatile and robust solution for paving, decking, and terraces.

1. The Essence of Wallbarn Pedestals

Wallbarn’s pedestals are a revolutionary support system designed to facilitate the installation of various hard landscaping surfaces, including concrete paving slabs, porcelain tiles, natural stone slabs, and timber, composite, and metal decking. These pedestals not only expedite the installation process but also improve drainage, extending the longevity of the underlying surface by elevating it above potential standing water. Moreover, their adjustable and removable nature ensures future-proofing, allowing for seamless maintenance and modifications as required.

2. Unparalleled Attributes: Strength and Versatility

Crafted from high-quality virgin fibre polypropylene, Wallbarn’s pedestals exemplify robustness and compliance with stringent technical standards. Each pedestal boasts an impressive weight tolerance, capable of bearing up to 683 kilograms (1,506 pounds), ensuring structural integrity even in the most demanding applications. Furthermore, these pedestals demonstrate remarkable resilience, functioning seamlessly in extreme temperature conditions ranging from -40°C (-40°F) to +75°C (167°F).

3. Ingenious Design: Maximising Functionality

The intricate design of Wallbarn’s pedestals is a testament to the company’s commitment to maximising functionality. The self-levelling headpiece incorporates multiple positioning lugs arranged in a crucifix formation, ensuring precise slab placement and optimal drainage. A rubber anti-shock pad, fitted onto the headpiece, enhances grip on the slab while reducing noise and vibration, contributing to a more tranquil outdoor environment. For decking applications, the lugs are strategically positioned to accommodate timber joists, simplifying the installation process.

4. Tailored to Perfection: A Comprehensive Height Range

Wallbarn’s pedestals are available in a comprehensive range of fixed and adjustable heights, catering to diverse project requirements. From a mere 5 millimetres (0.2 inches) to an impressive 1,020 millimetres (40.2 inches), this extensive spectrum allows for precise height adjustments, ensuring a completely level upper surface that meets the most exacting standards.

5. Class A1 Fire Rated Paving Pedestals: Safety First

For high-rise balconies, terraces, and flat roofs, Wallbarn offers a specialised range of Class A1 fire-rated paving pedestals. Crafted from 100% Class A1 thick galvanised steel, these non-combustible pedestals comply with the stringent BS EN 13501-1 fire classification of construction products and building elements. Featuring a self-levelling headpiece that offers up to 5% movement in all directions and a solid stem for superior weight tolerance, these pedestals prioritise safety without compromising on performance.

6. Mega Balance Pads: Stability and Versatility Combined

The Mega Balance pads are an integral component of Wallbarn’s cross-rail system, providing enhanced stability for both paving and decking surfaces. These pads can be utilised to join two separate rails, offering a seamless and secure connection that ensures structural integrity throughout the installation.

7. Balance Pedestals: Adjustable Excellence

Wallbarn’s Balance pedestals are designed with a telescopic stem that can be adjusted by hand to create a flat upper surface. These pedestals incorporate a suspended system, where the weight of the slab secures everything in place, allowing rainwater to flow freely between and under the slabs. This innovative design eliminates the accumulation of standing water on the surface, mitigating slipperiness and enhancing safety. Additionally, the pedestals can conceal unsightly cables, water pipes, and drainage outlets, improving the overall aesthetics and optimising the building footprint.

8. Multifunctionality: Fixings and Connectors

Wallbarn’s pedestals are compatible with various rail heights, enabling the support of both paving and decking surfaces on the same substructure frame. The Class A MetalPad – EX Starter Fixing Clip is a specialised component designed to facilitate easy rail attachment to both the pedestals and themselves, where multiple levels of rail or perpendicular frameworks are required.

8.1 Connecting Brackets: Seamless Integration

To ensure structural integrity and stability, Wallbarn offers a range of straight, right-angled, and 45° angled brackets and connectors. These components enable fast and easy fitting to all rails, facilitating the construction of cross-bracing formations and solid frameworks, particularly useful for ultra-low height thresholds.

8.2 Fixings for Paving and Decking: Precision and Uniformity

The paving lug headpiece is a crucial component designed to hold tiles in place and ensure uniform spacing on the plate. Complementing this, the paving starter/end plate is ideal for maintaining consistent gaps around the perimeter. For decking applications, the 4 Hooks hidden clips offer a non-combustible fixing system, with a burnished steel option that prevents the appearance of glaring silver colours beneath the deckboards.

9. Installation Simplified: Wallbarn’s Pedestal Approach

The installation process for Wallbarn’s pedestals is remarkably straightforward and requires no mechanical fixings. The pedestals are placed on a flat, hard surface or membrane and are loose-laid, with the weight of the slabs or decking holding everything securely in place. This approach ensures that the membrane remains uncompromised throughout the installation process. For decking applications, the boards are fixed to a joist grid, which can rest atop the pedestals. Alternatively, the pedestals can clip into an integrated rail system, connecting to a 2-metre (6.6-foot) long aluminium rail to support tiles or decking.

10. Frequently Asked Questions: Addressing Common Concerns

To address common queries and concerns, Wallbarn has compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding their pedestals. These FAQs cover a wide range of topics, including the applications of pedestals, their advantages, installation processes, subsurface compatibility, maintenance requirements, slope management, weight tolerance, and additional support systems.

10.1 Applications and Advantages

Wallbarn’s pedestals are primarily utilised in the construction of hard landscaping areas, including concrete paving slabs, porcelain tiles, natural stone slabs, and timber, composite, and metal decking for terraces, balconies, flat roofs, and podium decks. The advantages of using pedestals are numerous, encompassing improved drainage, ease and speed of installation, protection of the surface beneath, and future-proofing, as they can be lifted at any time for maintenance. Additionally, pedestals extend the lifespan of timber joists by elevating them above standing water.

10.2 Quantity and Installation

The number of pedestals required for a project is contingent upon the tile size, area, and desired heights. Wallbarn’s team can provide guidance on the appropriate quantity and type of pedestals based on the specific project requirements. Installation is straightforward, as the pedestals are placed on a flat, hard surface or membrane without the need for mechanical fixings.

10.3 Subsurface Compatibility and Longevity

Wallbarn’s pedestals are suitable for use on structured surfaces, such as concrete or rigid insulation, but are not recommended for direct placement on non-compacted earth. Constructed from virgin plastic, these pedestals are warranted for 15 years, ensuring long-lasting performance and durability.

10.4 Slope Management and Levelling

To achieve a level finish on sloped surfaces, Wallbarn’s Balance self-levelling pedestals can counter slopes of up to 5 degrees. For projects involving Wallbarn’s heavy-duty Megapads, slope correctors are available to ensure a level surface.

10.5 Decking and Additional Support Systems

While decking boards cannot be placed directly on top of the pedestals, they can be fixed to a joist grid that rests on the pedestals. Additionally, Wallbarn’s pedestals can be integrated with their rail system, connecting to a 2-metre (6.6-foot) long aluminium rail to support tiles or decking.

10.6 Height Range and Spacing

Wallbarn’s pedestals are available in a vast range of fixed and adjustable heights, spanning from 5 millimetres (0.2 inches) to 1,020 millimetres (40.2 inches), catering to diverse project requirements. Regarding paving slab spacing, the standard headpiece is fitted with 2-millimetre (0.08-inch) spacing, but a 4-millimetre (0.16-inch) option is also available.

10.7 Weight Tolerance and Durability

Even Wallbarn’s standard Universal and Balance ranges are designed to withstand up to 680 kilograms (1,499 pounds) of weight. For commercial projects involving large planters or heavy objects, the Megapad range can support up to 2 tonnes (4,409 pounds). Wallbarn’s pedestals have an exceptional track record, with no reported failures since their introduction to the UK market in 2003, provided they were correctly installed.

11. Wallbarn’s Pedestals: A Revolution in Construction and Landscaping

Wallbarn’s pedestals represent a groundbreaking solution in the construction and landscaping industry, offering a robust, versatile, and efficient support system for various surface installations. Their unique features, ease of installation, and adaptability make them an ideal choice for a wide range of projects, from residential to commercial and industrial applications.

With their commitment to innovation, durability, and aesthetics, Wallbarn has effectively revolutionised the way surfaces are installed and maintained, setting new standards for the industry. By providing a future-proof solution that streamlines processes, enhances safety, and optimises functionality, Wallbarn’s pedestals have become an indispensable tool for contractors, architects, and homeowners alike.

12. Embracing the Future: Wallbarn’s Continued Commitment to Excellence

As the construction and landscaping industries continue to evolve, Wallbarn remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of innovation. By consistently seeking new ways to enhance their product offerings and address emerging challenges, Wallbarn ensures that their pedestals remain a cutting-edge solution for years to come.

Through its unwavering commitment to excellence, Wallbarn has solidified its position as a leader in the industry, empowering professionals and homeowners alike to create stunning and durable outdoor spaces that stand the test of time.