How Wallbarn’s Self-Levelling Pedestals Simplify Paving and Decking Installation

Whether you’re working with paving slabs, decking, or terraces, these pedestals provide a versatile and robust support system that simplifies the installation process while extending the lifespan of your project.

Understanding the Fundamentals: What are Wallbarn Pedestals?

Wallbarn pedestals serve as a groundbreaking support system, designed to facilitate the installation of various hard landscaping surfaces, including concrete paving slabs, porcelain tiles, natural stone slabs, and timber, composite, or metal decking. These pedestals not only enable rapid installation but also improve drainage and ventilation, thereby enhancing the durability of the underlying surface by elevating it above potential standing water.

One of the standout features of Wallbarn pedestals is their flexibility. They can be easily adjusted or removed for maintenance purposes, making them a future-proof solution that adapts to the evolving needs of your construction projects.

Robust Design and Exceptional Attributes

Wallbarn pedestals are meticulously crafted from high-quality virgin fibre polypropylene, ensuring compliance with stringent technical standards and unparalleled robustness. Each pedestal boasts an impressive weight tolerance, capable of bearing up to 683kg (1,506 lbs), making them suitable for even the most demanding applications.

Furthermore, these pedestals are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, functioning seamlessly in conditions ranging from -40°C (-40°F) to +75°C (167°F). This versatility ensures that your projects remain unaffected by fluctuating weather conditions, providing you with peace of mind and long-lasting performance.

Innovative Design Features for Enhanced Functionality

Wallbarn pedestals are engineered with a meticulous attention to detail, incorporating unique design features that enhance their functionality and user-friendliness.

Self-Levelling Headpiece

The self-levelling headpiece is a standout feature, incorporating multiple positioning lugs arranged in a crucifix formation. This design ensures precise slab placement and efficient drainage, allowing water to flow freely and preventing the accumulation of standing water.

Additionally, a rubber anti-shock pad is fitted onto the headpiece, providing enhanced grip to the slab and reducing noise and vibration. For decking applications, the lugs are strategically positioned to accommodate a timber joist, streamlining the installation process.

Comprehensive Range of Heights

Wallbarn pedestals are available in a comprehensive range of fixed and adjustable heights, catering to diverse project requirements. From a mere 5mm (0.2 inches) to an impressive 1,020mm (40.2 inches), these pedestals offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to achieve a completely level upper surface with precise height adjustments.

Specialised Pedestal Solutions for Diverse Applications

Wallbarn’s commitment to innovation has led to the development of specialised pedestal solutions tailored to specific applications, ensuring optimal performance and ease of installation.

Class A1 Fire Rated Paving Pedestals

Designed specifically for high-rise balconies, terraces, and flat roofs, these pedestals are non-combustible and fully adjustable. Complying with the stringent BS EN 13501-1 fire classification for construction products and building elements, they are crafted from 100% class A1 thick galvanised steel. These pedestals feature a self-levelling headpiece, offering up to 5% movement in all directions, and a solid stem for superior weight tolerance.

Mega Balance Pads

The Mega Balance pads are an integral component of Wallbarn’s cross-rail system, providing additional stability for both paving and decking surfaces. These pads can be used to join two separate rails, enhancing the overall structural integrity of your project.

Balance Pedestals

The Balance pedestals are equipped with a telescopic stem that can be adjusted by hand to create a flat upper surface. They feature 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 standing water on the surface, making the paved area less slippery and safer for pedestrian traffic.

Moreover, these pedestals can conceal unsightly cables, water pipes, and drainage outlets, improving the overall aesthetics and optimising the building footprint.

Versatility and Compatibility: Fixings and Connectors

Wallbarn’s pedestals are compatible with a wide range of 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 fixation to both the pedestals and themselves, where multiple levels of rail or perpendicular frameworks are required.

Connecting Brackets

To enhance structural integrity and stability, Wallbarn offers a comprehensive selection 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.

Fixings for Paving and Decking

The paving lug headpiece is a crucial component designed to hold tiles in place and ensure uniform spacing on the plate. Additionally, 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 unsightly silver colours from appearing beneath the deckboards.

Streamlined Installation Process

The installation of 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 in place, ensuring that the membrane remains uncompromised.

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 2m long aluminium rail to support tiles or decking.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wallbarn Pedestals

To address common queries and concerns, here are some frequently asked questions about Wallbarn’s pedestals:

What are pedestals used for?

Pedestals are primarily used for the construction of hard landscaping areas, including concrete paving slabs, porcelain tiles, natural stone slabs, and timber, composite, or metal decking for terraces, balconies, flat roofs, and podium decks.

What are the advantages of using pedestals?

The key advantages of using pedestals include 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 help extend the lifespan of timber joists by lifting them out of standing water.

How many pedestals will I need?

The number of pedestals required depends on your tile size, the area, and the heights you need. Consult with Wallbarn’s experts, and they will calculate the correct quantity and type of pedestals based on the measurements you provide.

How are pedestals installed?

Pedestals are placed on a flat, hard surface or membrane, with no mechanical fixings required. The weight of the slabs or decking holds everything in place.

What subsurface do the pedestals work on?

Pedestals are suitable for placement on structured surfaces, such as concrete or rigid insulation. However, they are not recommended for direct installation on non-compacted earth.

How long will the pedestals last?

Wallbarn pedestals are made of virgin plastic and are warrantied for 15 years, ensuring long-lasting performance and durability.

How do I maintain a level surface on a slope?

Wallbarn’s Balance self-levelling pedestals can help provide a level finish to your new deck or paving, countering slopes of up to 5 degrees. If using the heavy-duty Megapads, slope correctors are available.

Do the pedestals need to be fastened to the deck?

No, the pedestals are part of a suspended system. The weight of the slabs or decking holds everything in place, ensuring that the membrane is not compromised.

Can I place my decking boards directly on top of the pedestals?

No, decking boards should be fixed to a joist grid, which can then rest on top of the pedestals.

What additional support systems can I use pedestals with?

Pedestals can clip into Wallbarn’s integrated rail system, connecting to a 2m long aluminium rail to support tiles or decking.

What heights do the pedestals come in?

Wallbarn pedestals are available in a wide range of fixed and adjustable heights, ranging from 5mm to 1,020mm, catering to diverse project requirements.

How much gap do I need to leave between my paving slabs?

As standard, Wallbarn’s headpieces are fitted with 2mm spacing, but 4mm options are also available.

How much weight can these pedestals support?

Even Wallbarn’s standard Universal and Balance ranges are designed to withstand up to 680kg (1,500 lbs). For commercial projects involving large planters or heavy objects, the Megapad range can support up to 2 tonnes (4,409 lbs).

Can the pedestals break?

Wallbarn has never encountered a pedestal failure when correctly installed since launching the range in the UK in 2003, attesting to their exceptional durability and quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Wallbarn’s pedestals represent a revolutionary advancement in the construction and landscaping industry, offering a robust, versatile, and efficient solution for various surface installations. Their unique features, ease of installation, and adaptability make them an ideal choice for a wide range of projects. With Wallbarn’s pedestals, creating stunning and durable surfaces has never been easier, streamlining the installation process while ensuring long-lasting performance and aesthetic appeal.