Step by step to your dream terrace
Do you have a vision in mind for your garden, terrace or balcony? Do you know exactly what end result you want, but don’t know where to start? Then this guide is just right for you. Here you will find a common approach to building a patio with practical tips and tricks.
Are you still in the planning process? Get all the important information about planning from A-Z here.
Planning and provision of materials
Once the planning draft and the material order have been approved by the issued quotation, the specialist dealer will receive the confirmed order including details of the delivery week within a few working days. If a specific delivery day is required, this should be reported back or sent together with the inquiry. To ensure a smooth and cost-effective process, you should allow at least 2 weeks for this entire process.
Depending on whether the material is to be delivered to a specialist dealer or directly to the construction site, the delivery options must be taken into account accordingly. If in doubt, we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about delivery in order to clarify special conditions in advance. This saves delays in the supply chain as well as additional costs due to a possible second journey.
When accepting the material, always check that all items on the delivery bill are included and undamaged. Any anomalies should ideally be noted directly on the delivery bill from the supplier. In this way, you can rule out any inconsistencies at a later date and have any damage replaced promptly.
You now have the material, but for various reasons you can’t start the installation yet? Make sure that the material is stored in a dry place, protected from the sun and in the right conditions, as storage that is too damp or incorrectly stacked can have a lasting effect on the material properties. Everything taken into account? Then you’re ready to go!
Surface preparation
Above all, the condition and correct preparation of the substrate are essential for the longevity of a terrace. If the ground is too loose, very uneven or unevenly sloping, the structure of the decking will inevitably shift over time, which can lead to uneven joints, tilting and premature decay. It is therefore very important to create a foundation that matches the initial situation and remains stable in the long term. A screed layer is ideal for balconies or covered terraces with a direct connection to the interior. For open terraces, compacted surfaces with sand, gravel and crushed stone in combination with concrete slabs at the contact points of the substructure are also an option. A weed fleece is always advisable if new growth is likely to emerge from the ground sooner or later, especially in the case of sand or gravel beds.
Particular attention is required when preparing roof terraces for sloped insulation and/or roof membranes with welded seams. In these cases, the maximum point load should be checked on a case-by-case basis and the subsequent live load (e.g. pool, large planters, etc.) should be taken into account. In addition, a barrier should be created as a precautionary measure to prevent plasticizer migration between the geomembrane and the terrace bearing. This can be easily solved with our laminated Isopads with coating, for example.
Installation height and slope compensation
Once the floor conditions have been clarified in advance and the substrate has been prepared, the next step is to determine the intended final height. After all, tripping hazards are undesirable. The good news is that a slight slope does not mean that the floor level has to be leveled to the millimetre. This is because our terrace pedestals have a slightly adjustable head that can easily compensate for slopes of up to 8%. Larger height differences can also be compensated for by using pedestals with different adjustment ranges.
In total, you can cover a generous adjustment range of 24-225 millimetres with just four items. Here you will find an overview of all terrace bearings with all the necessary data. Leveling is child’s play without pre-assembly using a wheel. Do you need even more height compensation? The maximum adjustment ranges can be extended by 60 mm (one adapter) or 120 mm (two adapters) with the option of our height adapter for pedestals.
Note: In the private sector, terrace areas with a construction height of 61 cm or more are already referred to as roof terraces or balconies. In this case, further regulations apply, which vary from region to region. In any case, we recommend that you inform yourself in advance about the locally applicable guidelines.
Substructure: Laying out, aligning, fastening
Here you will find further information on the practical application of our product range tailored to specific technical questions.
Torsion-resistant construction
To ensure that the decking can also benefit from the durability and quality of its materials, a stable and above all torsion-resistant structure is essential. This prevents the substructure from shifting or warping even when centrifugal forces are exerted during use. There are several options for making the substructure torsion-resistant, depending on the initial situation, i.e. the substrate. Below you will find four common examples that are used in decking construction and are also recommended by the relevant regulations. For more information on professional decking construction, e.g. on the topics of drainage, professional substructure or wind suction load, you will find it here.
Laying and fastening coverings
Laying floorboards
To achieve an aesthetically pleasing end result, the ends of the planks should be cut cleanly before installation. It is important that the boards are cut and processed under the same conditions. Compliance with local building regulations and recommendations such as “Fachregeln 02BDZ” and the plank manufacturer’s installation instructions is crucial for successful installation. For a guide to suitable fixings, you can find further information on installing real wood decking or WPC decking here . To find out why the right fastener is so important for the durability of the decking boards, read about the usage classes of wooden decking boards here. For better orientation during planning, you will find technical information on many useful topics here, such as fasteners required per square meter, screw lengths for visible screw connections, recommendations for pre-drilling and much more!
Are you still looking for the perfect floorboard for your patio? Then take a look here.
Laying tiles
Laying ceramic tiles on an aluminum substructure may seem a little unusual at first glance, but it offers decisive advantages compared to laying techniques in a gravel bed or with mortar. In addition to temperature-independent installation, the advantages in terms of height and slope compensation can also be utilized, which proves to be particularly time-effective and user-friendly. In addition, the ceramic tiles are not permanently bonded, which means that individual tiles can be easily removed, replaced or simply reinserted. This also minimizes the risk of tripping or frost damage. Laying on the CLIP system is realized with just three additional items that ensure fixation within the surface: M-Fix, S-Fix and Wand-Fix. You can find an overview of the required support points for laying slabs here.
For step-by-step instructions on how to install a patio with slab flooring, please use these illustrated installation instructions.
