8 Advantages for Installing a Pedestal Paving System for Your Home

Whether you are building a new home or renovating one.

There is a high likelihood that you will come across areas in the front or backyard that are uneven.

Alternatively, whether it’s because you need wheelchair access, or have a young family or elderly visitor.

You might want to create an even pathway between your home and the yard without unnecessary footholds or steps.

In either event, using paver pedestals for paver support is the ideal solution to your home improvement challenge.

In todays blog, we will list the advantages of installing a pedestal system for paving slabs.

And which pavers are best suited for this type of project.

But first, let’s take a closer look at pedestal paving, what it is and why industry professionals highly recommend it.

Ready?

Let’s dive in.

What is a Raised Pedestal Paving System?

A raised pedestal installation system.

Also known as a PolyPad.

Is a cylindrical device that can be adjusted to varying heights to level an uneven surface for paving purposes.

Each pedestal has four corners spaced 4mm apart.

Once the pedestals are installed on the ground, you can lay the pavers directly on them.

Since the pedestals have the 4mm spacer, your pavers will stay apart and your completed floors will be raised and even.

Why should you use them?

 Pedestal paving is used for a few main reasons, namely:

• Improving rapid drainage – As the pavers have a 4mm gap between each other when installed on the pedestals.

  Rainfall can easily fall through this space onto the surface underneath.

  So, instead of the water gathering on the raised floor and pavers.

  It swiftly drains towards the appropriate areas underneath the pedestals.

 

• Simplifies surface levelling when installing floors – Most outdoor areas have parts that are not levelled or even.

  This does not make an ideal foundation for creating a quality, sturdy or even safe, floor.

  If you have any experience with levelling surfaces.

  You will know that it’s a laborious task involving digging, laying cement, and installing timber support posts.

  On the other hand, you can forgo all of this by using PolyPad paving.

  Not only does it save you cost and labour efforts.

  But it achieves a better result by creating a levelled, anti-slip and noise-reducing floor at a height you

 

• Increasing safety and aesthetics by hiding outdoor wiring – In the case that your balcony or backyard has additional lighting, plumbing, wiring and electrical requirements.

  Installing floating pavers creates a gap between the floor and the underlying surface.

  This allows a ‘storage space’ (so to speak) underneath the flooring.

  Here you can hide the cabling, ducting, or wiring and yet have easy access to it (should you require it).

  From a general aesthetics perspective.

  tThis makes your space more attractive because the clutter is out of sight and, out of mind.

** Self Levelling and Fixed Adjustable Pedestal

What Pavers to use on pedestals?

If you are thinking of installing natural stone pavers on a pedestal system.

We recommend stone pavers that are 40mm thick and no bigger than 600x400mm in size.

Since natural stone pavers have hairline fractures.

Which are the weakest point of the paver.

Using thinner stones on pedestal systems increases the chance of breakage.

That’s why we recommend a 40mm thickness.

In saying this, the only time you can use 30mm natural stone pavers.

Is if an additional pedestal is installed in the middle of the paver.

On the other hand, it’s become quite common in the industry to install structural porcelain pavers that are as thin as 20mm.

This is because structural porcelain pavers have no weak fracture points and the advantage of a high break load.

Regardless of what paver you choose, it’s important that they’re compliant with Australian Standards.

For example, it’s important to use sawn-edge pavers so that you can keep the gap between the pavers no bigger than 4mm.

Rumbled-edge natural stone pavers are not suitable for use with pedestal paving systems.

And finally, you can create raised floors in a variety of locations.

The only requirement is that the substrate is flat and hard.

 

8 advantages of installing raised pedestal systems

As well as the three main reasons listed above.

There are 8 additional advantages for using PolyPads to raise your floors in your home.

These include:

1. Acoustic Insulation

As our paver supports have a dual component.

That includes both an anti-slip and an anti-noise head.

They are extremely helpful in reducing the sound of impact by up to 25dB.

What does this mean for you?

Well, if you have a lot of people coming and going in and out of the home.

Using floating pavers helps to reduce noise pollution.

2. Absorption of Structural Movement

Environmental factors are a fundamental factor that causes wear and tear in natural pavers and tiles over time.

Extreme cold makes stones contract, while extreme heat causes expansion.

When pavers are installed directly onto the surface.

There is no allowance for them to move as freely.

This can cause them to crack and become damaged with too much exposure to the elements.

Using pedestal systems for paving slabs means that the floor is floating and thus independent of adhesion.

This allows for an ease in structural movements.

And also eliminates the risk of de-bonding due to improper installation and/or tile movement.

3. High Strength and Resistance

Since PolyPads are made from polypropylene.

With a design that features a circular base plate.

A foursquare support and a continuous thread that connects the pedestal between the base and screw.

They are sturdy, strong and durable.

So, if you want to build floors that stand the test of time.

PolyPad paving is the way to go!

4. Entirely Recyclable

With environmental consciousness on the rise.

Many are extremely aware of their carbon footprint.

So, if you are interested in reducing your impact on the environment.

Consider using a raised paver system.

Why? Well firstly, it’s entirely recyclable.

And secondly, because it doesn’t need to be fixed to a substrate with an adhesive.

No chemicals are released into the ground.

It’s really a win-win-win for everyone involved.

5. Improved Thermal Insulation

As the pedestals create space between the pavers and the ground surface.

This allows for constant air circulation.

Consequently, this improves the heat insulation.

While simultaneously protecting the ground surface from UV degradation and extending the lifespan of the waterproofing.

6. Time Effective Installation and Low Weight

Pressed for time and funding for your outdoor flooring project?

Floating pavers to the rescue!

Since the pedestals themselves are easy to adjust and you don’t need to level the surface.

You can simply start your project with minimal (if any) site preparation and without disrupting any nearby projects.

Additionally, with the minimal installation products required.

Pedestal systems offer a lightweight solution to building floors.

Subsequently, this translates to a lower project cost and higher savings for you.

7. Design Flexibility

As PolyPad paving allows for the tiles and pavers to be placed atop the pedestals.

This means that pavers can be easily removed and changed.

This promotes design flexibility and is helpful if you like to regularly change the floor style.

8. Eliminated Efflorescence

Efflorescence – the buildup of salt on a porous surface – is a major concern when installing pavers or tiles on the ground surface.

But since raised pedestal systems do not require tiling grout or screed, this eliminates the concern for efflorescence.

Some of the more common areas pedestal systems are used include:

• Outdoor rooftop areas
• Outdoor podium areas
• Exhibition spaces
• Gardens and courtyards
• Swimming pool surrounds
• Balconies and verandahs
• Internal podium areas
• Internal pedestrian access floors

 

 

Where can I find pedestal paving systems?

Convinced that raised pedestal system is the most time and cost-effective solution for your flooring installation?

Excellent!

It just so happens that Armstone is a major supplier of pedestals and polypads in Australia.

We have solutions for all scenarios.

Including adjustable height pedestals, self-levelling pedestals, soundproofing pedestals, and weight load management.

As specialists in both pavers and pedestal installation systems, we offer both pedestal and full-raised floor systems for pavers.

We are also fully equipped to assist architects, designers, builders, and developers with their projects.

If you need any assistance with your project, simply reach out to our experts online or at 1300 560 560.

We would love to help you with your floating pavers and pedestal installations.