Supporter

Laying patio slabs on supporters

The development of the laying of terrace slabs

FLEXIBAL supporters

In the past, it was common to lay patio slabs in thick-bed mortar and with grout. This created a large continuous slab that "worked" in length and width when the temperature changed. In this way, hairline cracks developed over time where moisture penetrated. With freeze/thaw cycles, the cracks widened and damage to the terrace developed.

Today, the development of terrace bearings made of PVC- soft or hard plastic has increased their service life to approx. 30 years. The bearings also brought the joint cross right along with them.

Decking bearings

A distinction is made between decking supporters (with a fixed height) and stilt supporters (height-adjustable). The supporters and levelling plates you find in our shop are both suitable for large format tiles and natural stone.

Slab bearings & supporters

Slab bearings are only "adjustable" in height in steps by means of compensation plates. To ensure a certain variability in height, these supporters can be stacked on top of each other by means of matching recesses on the underside of each slab. Instead of a predetermined breaking point, as with some systems, these supporters can simply be cut through at the desired point.

Our DURAL FLEXIBAL BA supporters are height-adjustable and can be adjusted by means of a thread. With our supporters and the corresponding DURAL extension piece for Flexibal BA supporters and the DURAL compensating plate for Flexibal MB supporters, it is very easy to compensate for unevenness in the floor.

What are supporters?

FLEXIBAL supporters

Supporters are used in a wide variety of areas. Mostly they are used for laying terraces or balconies and are used to lay a covering that should be at a distance from the base surface. Nowadays, a supporter makes it possible to lay patio slabs without mortar or a bed of chippings. The slabs rest loosely and hold their own weight. Depending on the design, the supporters are either rigid or height-adjustable plastic feet made of PVC, which are always placed where four patio slabs meet.

The non-height-adjustable supporters are actually called slab supporters, but the terms are often used synonymously. Slab bearings are usually one centimetre high. Unevenness can be compensated for with levelling plates.

Slab bearings or supporters are usually round and have a diameter of 12, 15 or even 20 cm. The Flexibal supporters of different heights, together with the extension piece, make it possible to build up heights of 25 to 185 mm without any problems. Each stilt consists of a wide base plate, a slimmer middle piece and a top plate as a support surface for the floor covering. To ensure that stones or tiles rest securely, the top plate has a joint cross consisting of four bars. The joint cross provides an open joint, rainwater trickles through and can thus run off on the waterproof subfloor - frost damage is therefore ruled out when laid correctly.

What are supporters suitable for?

The supporters and levelling plates you will find in our shop are suitable for ceramic or mineral patio slabs, decking boards, fine stone/concrete slabs, large format tiles and natural stone from 20 mm thick. Thinner tiles could break because of the hollow space under them.

Supporters make it possible to create a horizontal surface for patio design even on uneven subfloors. With additional levelling plates you can achieve a possible height adjustment or you have the integrated height adjustment where you can screw the top plate of the supporter up and down.

How many supporters do I need and how far apart should I place them?

Laying supporters

Each slab lies on four terrace supporters, at the edge on half supporters and at the corners on quarter supporters. For heavy slabs, however, it is also possible to lay whole supporters on walls, where you simply remove the top spacers. Depending on the type of slabs, you will need three and a half supporters per square metre. For large slabs or high support heights, you should also place a support under the centre of the slabs.

What kind of substrate do support pads need?

The substrate must be load-bearing and waterproof. Whether in the garden or on the terrace, you can lay terrace slabs on supporters or slab bearings on concrete or tiles, on ground-contacting subsoil or on flat roofs. In the garden, the substrate must be stable and load-bearing.

Since patio slabs on stilt or slab bases allow rainwater to pass through their joints, the substrate must drain it away. The waterproofing must be protected against damage with suitable agents. We recommend the use of our DURAL drainage mat DD80++ for this purpose.

Advantages and disadvantages of supporters

Advantages of stilt supports

1. Laying the decking is quick and easy and no special tools are required.
2. The terrace bearings allow horizontal floors even on uneven ground, without the need to heap up material.
3. Height-adjustable supporters allow for very individual height adjustment.
4. You can remove the other flooring on supporters at any time without leaving any residue. Ideal for rented flats.
5. Old flooring can be left as a subfloor for terrace bearings.
6. You can hide cables or pipes in the hollow space under the floor slabs.
7. The floor covering is frost-proof.
8. Stilt bearing installation is one of the most cost-effective installation methods.

Disadvantages of supporters

1. The acoustics change with the laying of supporters, the footstep noises are louder than with firmly grouted terraces.
2. It is best to make a precise sketch beforehand so that you have enough supports.
3. The footstep noise is louder than with firmly grouted terraces.
4. On soft ground, the floor can vibrate - even if the slab bearings are adjustable in height.
5. Thinner paving slabs can break, especially if the paving is higher than 10 cm.

Supporter rail system

Supporter rail system

You want a better load distribution and a higher stability of the flooring construction? Then we definitely recommend the supporter rail system. This will save you an extreme amount of time when laying and flexibly positioning the stilt bearing heads. What are the advantages and disadvantages compared to the self-levelling supporters? You can easily find out in "Laying supporters - Which system is right for me?".

Supporter clip system

This clip system is suitable for facing patio steps, ends and landings. Among other things, the system is suitable as a spacer for wall connections and can also be used with the rail system. It also saves time when laying ceramic terrace elements and concrete slabs with a thickness of 20 mm. Another advantage is that the clips are made of robust stainless steel.

Pedestal bearing in combination with other products

Pedestal bearing in combination with drainage mat

The DURAL drainage mat DD80++ for particularly water-permeable covering constructions in outdoor areas is ideal in combination with tile, natural and artificial stone slabs to realise large area drainage. Installation with FLEXIBAL stilt bearings can be carried out directly on the drainage mat, as the mat is also suitable for large loads.

Stilt bearing in combination with balcony profile STE

Elegant 2-part, height-adjustable bordering profile with concealed drip edge for framing patio coverings

1. Closing off open edges of a stilt construction
2. No penetration of small animals under the decking
3. Base and slip-on profile for decking edges Height 32 to 120 mm
4. System incl. outside corners and connectors
5. Material: stainless steel, fine-ground
6. Support leg: width 120 mm

Pedestal bearing in combination with balcony angle profile T-shape

Balcony angle profiles, e.g. the balcony angle profile T-shape anthracite for laying stilt bearings with a covering thickness of 20 mm.

1. 5 edge heights: 40 / 60 / 80 / 100 / 120 mm
2. Elegant cladding of the substructure
3. Durable, high-quality appearance
4. System incl. inner and outer corners & connectors
5. Material: aluminium, colour: silver anodised
6. Support leg: width 80 mm