The Power and Flexibility of Wallbarn’s Superior Pedestal Range: A Comprehensive Analysis

The world of construction and landscaping has undergone significant transformations over the years, with the introduction of innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, durability, and aesthetics. One such solution is the highly versatile pedestal range from Wallbarn. Known for its robustness and adaptability, Wallbarn’s pedestals revolutionize the way surfaces are installed and maintained, be it paving, decking, or terraces. This article will provide a detailed exploration of these high-performing pedestals, diving into their unique features, installation process, and the variety of applications they can support.

Understanding the Basics: What are Wallbarn Pedestals?

Wallbarn’s pedestals serve as a revolutionary support system for hard landscaping surfaces such as concrete paving slabs, porcelain tiles, natural stone slabs, and timber, composite, and metal decking. These pedestals are designed to facilitate rapid installation, improve drainage, and extend the durability of the underlying surface by lifting it above potential standing water. They also offer the flexibility of being adjusted or removed for maintenance purposes, making them a future-proof solution for construction projects.

Key Attributes of Wallbarn Pedestals

Wallbarn’s pedestals boast a range of impressive features that set them apart from traditional support systems. Each pedestal is crafted from high-quality virgin fibre polypropylene, ensuring robustness and compliance with technical standards. They demonstrate remarkable weight tolerance, with each unit designed to bear up to 683kg. These pedestals are also resistant to extreme temperatures, functioning seamlessly in conditions ranging from -40°C to + 75°C.

Unique Design Features

Wallbarn pedestals have been intricately designed to offer maximum functionality. The self-levelling headpiece incorporates multiple positioning lugs in a crucifix formation, ensuring straight slab placement and sufficient drainage. A rubber anti-shock pad fitted onto the headpiece provides enhanced grip to the slab and reduces noise and vibration. For decking applications, the lugs are positioned to accommodate a timber joist, simplifying the installation process.

Range of Heights

The pedestals come in a comprehensive range of fixed and adjustable heights, from as low as 5mm to a staggering 1,020mm. This wide spectrum caters to diverse project requirements and allows for precise height adjustments to achieve a completely level upper surface.

Wallbarn’s Pedestals: A Closer Look

Class A1 Fire Rated Paving Pedestals

Designed specifically for high-rise balconies, terraces, and flat roofs, these pedestals are non-combustible and fully adjustable. They comply with BS EN 13501-1 fire classification of construction products and building elements and are crafted from 100% class A1 thick galvanized steel. The 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 part of Wallbarn’s cross-rail system. They provide extra stability for both paving and decking surfaces and can be used to join two separate rails.

Balance Pedestals

The Balance pedestals are manufactured 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 run between and under the slabs. This eliminates standing water on the surface, making the paved area less slippery and safer. The pedestals can also hide unsightly cables, water pipes, and drainage outlets, improving aesthetics and optimizing the building footprint.

The Multifunctionality of Wallbarn’s Pedestals

Fixings and Connectors

Wallbarn’s pedestals are compatible with different 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 special component used to fix rails easily to both the pedestals and to themselves, where multiple levels of rail or perpendicular frameworks are required.

Connecting Brackets

Straight, right-angled, and 45° angled brackets and connectors are available for fast and easy fitting to all rails where cross brace frameworks are needed. These brackets enhance the structural integrity and stability of long rail sections and facilitate the construction of cross-bracing formations and solid frameworks, especially useful for ultra-low height thresholds.

Fixings for Paving and Decking

The paving lug headpiece is a key component used to hold tiles in place and ensure uniform spacing on the plate. The paving starter/end plate, on the other hand, is ideal for ensuring consistent gaps around the perimeter. For decking, the 4 Hooks hidden clips offer a non-combustible fixing system, with a burnished steel option that prevents glaring silver colours from appearing beneath the deckboards.

Wallbarn’s Pedestal Installation Process

The installation of Wallbarn’s pedestals is straightforward and requires no mechanical fixings. The pedestals are placed on a flat, hard surface or membrane and are loose-laid. The weight of the slabs or decking holds everything in place, ensuring that the membrane is uncompromised. For decking applications, the boards are fixed to a joist grid which can rest atop the pedestals. The pedestals can also clip into an integrated rail system, connecting to a 2m long aluminium rail to support tiles or decking.

FAQs on Wallbarn’s Pedestals

What are pedestals used for?

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.

What are the advantages of using pedestals?

Improved drainage, ease and speed of installation, protection of the surface beneath, future-proofing (can be lifted at any time for maintenance). Lengthen the life of timber joists as they are lifted out of standing water.

How many will I need?

This all depends on your tile size, as well as the area and heights you require. We will let you know the measurements we require to help us calculate the correct quantity and type of pedestals you need.

How are they installed?

They are placed on a flat, hard surface/membrane. No mechanical fixings are required.

What subsurface do the pedestals work on?

A structured surface e.g. concrete or rigid insulation. They are not suitable for placing directly onto non-compacted earth.

How long will they last?

The pedestals are made of virgin plastic and are warrantied for 15 years.

How do I maintain a level surface on a slope?

Our Balance self-levelling pedestals will help provide a level finish to your new deck or paving and can be used to counter slopes of up to 5 degrees. If using our heavy duty Megapads, slope correctors are available.

Do the pedestals need to be fastened to the deck?

No. This is a suspended system. The pedestals are loose-laid – the weight of the slabs or decking hold everything in place – meaning 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 in turn can rest on top of the pedestals.

What additional support systems can I use pedestals with?

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

What heights do they come in?

Our pedestals come in a huge range of fixed and adjustable heights ranging from 5mm to 1,020mm.

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

As standard, our heads are fitted with 2mm spacing but we also have 4mm.

How much weight can these take?

Even our standard Universal and Balance ranges are designed to take up to 680kg. If you have a commercial job that includes large planters or heavy objects, our Megapad range takes up to 2 tonnes.

Can the pedestals break?

We have never had a pedestal fail that was correctly installed since we launched the range in the UK in 2003.

In conclusion, Wallbarn’s pedestals represent a revolution 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.