Patio Dreams

Written by Upstairs Downstairs Magazine

If you’ve been considering swapping your paving for outdoor slab tiles (and if not, why not?), then you might be thinking about the best way to install them. Whilst the traditional method of adhesive and grout will make for a long-lasting, durable installation, did you know that there’s another, more flexible and less messy way to get those 18-20mm thick wonders in place and ready to walk on? Well there is, and it comes in the form of Adjustable Support Pedestals…

Adjustable Support Pedestals are a system that enables the laying of large format outdoor tiles and paving slabs without the need for grout and adhesive. They are what is known as a ‘suspended system’, meaning that no mechanical fixings are involved and the weight of the tiles or slabs hold everything in place (thus negating the need for permanent fixing with adhesives).

Benefits of using Adjustable Support Pedestals to install large format outdoor tiles include the creation of a void beneath the paved/tiled surface which allows rainwater to run between and under the slabs. This ensures that there is no standing water left on the surface, improving health & safety by making surface less slippery.

In addition, the cavity that is created by the tiles being suspended allows pipes, cabling ducts, and drainage channels to be accommodated and tucked away out of sight. A further advantage of using this suspended system is that tiles and slabs can easily be reconfigured or removed completely as they are not permanently fixed with adhesive and grout.

Ideal for roof terraces, patios, and verandas, Adjustable Support Pedestals allow slab tiles to be fitted up to the threshold level on roof decks or terraces without any risk of flooding. The 2.2mm positioning lugs create a gap between each slab tile which allows rainwater to pass between and beneath them. The lugs also provide a clear paving line, so the slab tiles can be laid in a straight line extremely quickly and easily.

Available from Cutting Edge Tiles.