Tiling on pads: advantages, installation, maintenance techniques, etc.

Tiling on pedestals offers many advantages:

Ideal for terrains with irregularities

Pedestals are an excellent option for terrains with significant irregularities. Easy to regulate, they allow leveling uneven surfaces. This is why they are seen as an interesting alternative on terrains where classic surfacing techniques cannot be applied.

Easy to install

Ideal for DIY projects, installation on pedestals does not require any special skills. Installation is relatively quick and can easily be carried out by an amateur DIYer. So, to save on labor costs, you can do the installation yourself, although hiring a specialist will give you a more careful installation.

Rainwater drainage

Drainage is provided by the small space between the slabs and the underlying surface. This allows for natural drainage, preventing water from stagnating on the floor. With this covering, your tiles will last longer: because there is less risk of mold and erosion!

These characteristics are key indicators of the benefits you can get by opting for installation on pads. Both aesthetic, resistant and practical, this covering can enhance any outdoor space while being very easy to maintain.

While the laying on pads of terrace and balcony tiles is crucial to obtain a lasting result, the choice of tiles itself is just as important. Here are the essential criteria to guarantee a long life for your covering despite the elements.

The thickness of the tiles

The tiles must have a minimum thickness of 2 centimeters. Without this, they lose their strength and stability. The tiles will then be exposed to pressure that could compromise their balance. In addition, they risk being subjected to weather conditions that are not always mild.

By choosing tiles of an optimal thickness, your coverings remain protected from shocks and cracks.

The manufacturing material

If you are looking for a robust material with a wide variety of finishes, know that porcelain stoneware will meet your expectations. With its different renderings, it imitates natural materials such as concrete, marble, wood, and the list goes on. In addition, the maintenance techniques it requires are very easy to apply. Not to mention that by opting for this type of tiles for terraces and balconies, you are choosing a durable material that remains intact over the years. Thus, even with repeated passages and climatic attacks, you keep an aesthetic and new coating.

Additional options

To limit the risk of accidents, choose tiles on pads with non-slip properties. These characteristics are very useful, especially in wet spaces. By ensuring that the tiles laid are also self-supporting, you increase the stability level of the pads. For this, you will not need to add support brackets to consolidate the terrace.

By respecting these criteria, you will be able to find the type of tiles that meets your decorative and ergonomic requirements.

Even if the chosen tiles meet all the technical and aesthetic characteristics mentioned above, this does not guarantee the structural stability of your terrace. The preparation of the ground and the quality of the installation are, in fact, essential conditions for a 100% professional and durable result. It is therefore advisable to entrust the work to a specialist, which does not prevent you from finding out about the procedure to adopt:

Preparing the work area

Preparing the ground consists of clearing the work area of ​​accumulated dirt. Debris, tree leaves, grass, parasitic plants, everything must be cleaned! To lay the tiles on concrete, there is no additional treatment to be provided. On the other hand, for uneven ground, it will be necessary to dig up the ground to level it. Next, you need to apply a geotextile felt designed to increase the stability of the installation area and prevent unwanted plants from growing back.

Precise placement of the pads

Now it’s time to lay the pads. The tiles must be aligned taking into account the shape of the slabs. More specifically, the professional begins by adjusting the height of the pads in order to create a stable surface. This procedure is essential for the stability of the balcony or terrace. The corners of the tile must stick to the pads and remain in place. To avoid any risk of detachment and movement, it is sometimes necessary to reduce the size of the tiles to adapt them to the available surface area.

A highly qualified craftsman must ensure that these steps are followed to the letter. Because the preparation of the area to be treated and the quality of the installation are mandatory rules for obtaining an attractive result and long-lasting tiling on pads.

First of all, tile maintenance must be carried out regularly. To remove debris and any other dirt, use a mixture of warm water and a cleaner specially designed for cleaning tiles. We do not recommend using products with a high dose of acid. These detergents are likely to damage the tiles on pads and compromise their solidity.

From time to time, it is advisable to examine the pads and ensure that they are still perfectly aligned. If you notice that the tiles have moved, remember to readjust them as quickly as possible.

Use anti-moss products sold in supermarkets and specialist stores. Apply them to damp surfaces away from the sun, where moss develops easily. Do not wait to see the first algae to take action. These products are most effective when used preventively.

Finally, to protect your tiles from climatic variations, you must apply a sealing product specially designed for this use. This procedure is essential to limit the damage caused by UV rays, frost, snow and rain.

To assess the budget needed to complete this project, several elements must be taken into consideration:

Cost of floor tiles

The price of floor tiles depends on criteria such as thickness, manufacturing material and aesthetic rendering. For example, there are different categories of porcelain stoneware, and their cost varies depending on the level of quality and design. You can optimize your budget by opting for standard pedestals. Unfortunately, these cannot be applied to uneven ground. For unstable floors, you should instead consider adjustable pedestals.

Labor costs

Even if this work is fairly simple to carry out, it is recommended to call on a professional. Only a specialist will be able to guarantee you an impeccable result. In other words, by trying to save on labor costs, you may end up with an unstable installation and misaligned tiles.