Laying pavers on a raised deck terrace - installation rules

Laying pavers on a raised deck terrace versus a traditional terrace are two completely different types of installation. It is worth knowing what to pay attention to before starting the installation.

Pavers on a raised deck terrace

Laying pavers on adjustable pedestals is a fundamental stage in constructing a raised deck terrace. Although the installation itself, referred to as "dry," is simpler than glued systems, it requires adherence to specific technical principles.

Laying pavers on a raised deck terrace involves point-supporting the terrace pavers on adjustable or fixed pedestals, without permanently bonding them to the substrate.

Below, we present how the laying of pavers on a raised deck terrace proceeds correctly — both on the ground and on a concrete screed.

If you want to learn the basics of this technology:

See also: What is a raised deck terrace

Man laying terrace pavers on adjustable pedestals solver on the terrace

1. Substrate Preparation - The Most Important Stage

Every raised deck terrace system begins with a stable substrate. It is responsible for the durability of the entire structure.

Both types of substrate require an appropriate slope; standard practice is a 1.5 - 2% slope in the substrate layer (the top layer in raised deck terraces can be completely flat)

Terrace on ground

The example below shows a terrace on ground, although it is finished with boards, the principle of operation in the case of pavers is the same.

If the substrate is ground:

  1. remove the humus layer (approx. 20-30 cm) (first photo before removing the ground)
  2. perform stabilization by compacting the spread gravel, or laying concrete blocks, paving slabs or grid pavers (second photo)
  3. maintain the appropriate spacing of supports (e.g. for 60×60 cm pavers) (photo 3)
  4. the spaces between the elements can be filled with additional gravel as a drainage layer.
  5. lay the pavers or joists with boards

Lack of a stable substrate can lead to settling of pedestals, loss of level and formation of water pooling.

Terrace on a concrete screed

If the substrate is a concrete screed:

  • it should be stable and level
  • it should be clean (in the case of an old surface, remove any remaining adhesive)
  • for larger unevenness, a thin leveling layer (screed) should be applied
  • delicate waterproofing must be protected against abrasion (e.g., with SBR rubber pads)

Details on the structural layers:

See also: Raised deck terrace system components

A piece of lawn on which a raised deck terrace will be built Selected substrate and laid concrete pavers prepared for a raised deck terrace on the ground Adjustable pedestals arranged on concrete slabs on the ground and laying boards Ready-made raised deck terrace on the ground made with adjustable solver pedestals Ground-level terrace on a screed with a pool made with pavers on adjustable solver pedestals Terrace with pavers and a pool laid on the ground on a concrete screed on spiral solver pedestals Finished pool with a terrace on adjustable pedestals solver on the ground on a screed

2. Pedestal spacing and structural load capacity

Terrace pedestals are divided into adjustable and fixed types. The minimum system height can be as low as 2 mm (in the case of fixed support pads), while adjustable pedestals allow the terrace to be raised up to 950 mm. Adjustable pedestals are used on terraces that require slope correction, while support pads are suitable for ground-level terraces, specifically on gravel, or as a height supplement for adjustable pedestals.

Pedestal spacing depends on:

1) paver format - typically 60x60x2 cm pavers are used, as well as 120x60x2 cm; in both cases, pedestals are placed at 60 cm intervals; for 90x90x2 cm pavers, pedestals are placed every 45 cm

2) paver thickness - the most commonly used 2 cm porcelain pavers require support at the corners, but it is always recommended to check the manufacturer's guidelines

3) additional loads - in the case of heavy planters or pergolas, additional pedestals should be used

Under each pedestal, there must be a stable base, which will allow for the creation of an even usable surface.

3. Laying pavers – installation process

Installing ceramic, concrete, or stone pavers in a raised deck system follows the same principle:

  1. Positioning and leveling the pedestals
  2. Checking evenness and height using a laser level or spirit level
  3. Laying the first paver – determining the installation axis
  4. Evenly adding subsequent pavers to the first paver

Spacers (gaps) of 3 or 5 mm should be left between pavers, which allow water drainage and compensate for stresses arising in the pavers.

On the principles of selecting gaps:

Joint or gap on an external terrace - how to choose the right width?

Spacing of terrace pedestals under the paver depending on the paver size

4. Critical areas during installation

When planning and laying the terrace, the most attention is definitely required in unusual places, such as:

  • areas near door thresholds
  • roof drains (water drainage)
  • corners and curves
  • areas with a large slope (above 2%)
  • areas that need to bear heavier loads

These are places that require special attention, for example increasing the number of pedestals, cutting the base, applying minimum heights and the method of installing pedestals. We have described all these cases in more detail here:

→See also: Installation of a raised deck terrace - step-by-step instructions

Leveled adjustable pedestal standard on a balcony project with paver The first laid paver on the balcony after leveling on the standard adjustable pedestal Pavers laid on adjustable pedestals on a balcony in a multi-family building 3 mm expansion joints between gres tiles on a raised deck terrace on adjustable solver pedestals Installation of the layout of pedestals and pavers on a raised deck terrace with an internal corner

5. Why the raised deck system speeds up installation

Compared to glued systems:

  • no mortars, adhesives, or grouts are used
  • installation is done "dry"
  • there is no need to wait for materials to cure
  • height adjustment is possible during work
  • any corrections are quick and non-invasive

Comparison of both terrace installation technologies:

See also: Elevated terrace vs traditional glued terrace

Here is an example of a quick height correction of a pedestal on MAX pedestals with a self-leveling head:

Installation of terrace pedestals at the door threshold to the terrace exit method Installation method for a raised deck terrace and pavers on a sloped cut terrace Installation method for a raised deck terrace at a terrace curve, pedestal layout Installation of adjustable pedestals at roof drain or outlet method Quick installation of terrace pedestals with pavers on the terrace Multi-family building in which adjustable solver pedestals were used Raised deck terrace with pavers on adjustable pedestals - standard for large-scale projects

6. Most common mistakes when laying pavers

From our many years of experience, the most common problems on raised deck terraces result from a few reasons.

The first is an unstable substrate under the terrace, which causes a lack of stability in the paver support. As a result, the paver does not adhere to the entire surface of the pedestal head, and therefore does not properly transfer loads.

Another issue is not taking into account the strength of the paver - applying excessively large point loads or too wide a spacing of pedestals with brittle, low-strength pavers.

Failure to maintain gaps and spaces between pavers - not leaving room for the paver material to expand and contract due to temperatures.

These and other errors are described in more detail here:

See also: Most common mistakes during the installation of raised deck terraces

7. Why investors choose the raised deck system

In large development projects, the raised floor system is used because of:

  • the absence of wet processes eliminates the technological time for mortar curing, which significantly shortens the project implementation schedule
  • high predictability of execution
  • ease of quality control
  • the possibility of servicing without dismantling the entire surface
  • protection of the waterproofing layer, because the pavers are not permanently bonded to the substrate and do not transfer stresses directly to the insulation
  • optimization of working time

The absence of complaints and defects translates directly into project costs and the contractor's reputation.

Summary

Laying pavers on a raised deck terrace is a simple process, but it requires adhering to system principles:

  • stable substrate
  • correct pedestal spacing
  • slope control
  • consideration of loads
  • proper solutions for structural details

It is not the thickness of the paver that determines the durability of the terrace, but the way it is laid and the quality of the entire system's installation.

Multi-family building in which adjustable solver pedestals were used Raised deck terrace with pavers on adjustable pedestals - standard for large-scale projects

Is it always necessary to use a pedestal in the middle of the paver?

See also: Is it necessary to glue or anchor the terrace pedestals to the substrate?

How to select terrace pavers for installation on pedestals?

See also: How many pedestals per m² of raised deck terrace? How to calculate the number of pedestals step by step

If you want to go a step further:

How a raised deck terrace works