Break-through Protection Systems for Porcelain Pavers
While Archatrak porcelain pavers are exceptionally durable, dense and rigid, they can nevertheless suffer damage due to mishandling, careless treatment or accidental impact. If tools, heavy furniture or other hard objects are dropped on the pavers from a significant height, chips, scratches, surface damage and/or cracking and breakage may occur.
In all situations where hard objects could be accidentally dropped from a significant height or where deck heights are greater than 4”, especially in high traffic commercial installations, appropriate reinforcement sheets, steel protection plates or tray system should always be installed on the underside of the pavers.
Archatrak offers four solutions for ensuring safe, elevated deck installations- two steel paver tray systems, FRP grating and self-adhesive protection sheets.
‘Spansafe’ Steel Plates for ‘Prime’ Pedestals
Archatrak ‘Spansafe’ steel protection plates are constructed of 2 mm thick galvanized steel sheet with slotted lobes on each corner to fit over the upright tabs on Archatrak ‘Prime’ or ‘NM’ pedestal heads. Plates are available to suit 24” x 24” and 48” x 16” (nom.) porcelain pavers.
To install ‘Spansafe’ protection plates, first place your paver supports in the approx. final position. Then lay the plates so that the slotted lobes on each corner loop over the tabs on the pedestal heads, checking for level as each plate is laid. Lay your porcelain pavers directly over the trays and butted tightly against the raised tabs on the pedestals.
We recommended placing thin rubber shims (Archatrak ETE-LGH2) between the metal sheets and the pavers at the junction of the four pavers to eliminate any rattling.
‘Spansafe’ Galvanized Steel Trays
The Archatrak ‘Spansafe’ paver tray system is a galvanized steel sheet 1mm thick with ¾” high downturned edges on all four sides, folded to provide a double thickness edge for extra strength. Holes are drilled in the sheet for drainage. Trays are available to suit 24” x 24” and 48” x 16” (nom.) porcelain pavers.
To install ‘Spansafe’ protection plates, first place your paver supports in the approx. final position. Then lay down the plates so that each corner rests on a quadrant of the pedestal head, checking for level as each plate is laid. Lay your porcelain pavers directly over the trays and butted tightly against the raised tabs on the pedestals.
We recommended placing Archatrak ETE-LGH2 rubber shims between the metal sheets and the pavers at the junction of the four pavers to eliminate any rattling.
‘SpanTrak’ Fiberglass Grating Panels
When installing porcelain pavers less than 16” wide and longer than 24”, fiberglass grating panels will generally offer the best combined support and protection option. The panels provide a continuous support surface and minimize the number of pedestals needed when laying narrow pavers supported directly by pedestals.
Archatrak ‘SpanTrak’ fiberglass grating panels are supplied in a standard size of 4’ x 8’ with a mesh size of 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″, thickness of 1 ¼”and weight of 3.0 lb/sq.ft. Panels are produced with pure isophthalic resins and aluminum hydroxide filler for enhanced flame retardancy and smoke suppression.
Panels are normally laid over pedestals placed at 24″ spacing in both directions. Adjacent panels can be joined at the edges with stainless steel ‘C’ clips to prevent any movement of the panels. To ensure correct spacing and minimize noise transmission, we recommend using thin rubber support pads with inbuilt spacer tabs (Archatrak ETE-LGH2) under the corners of each paver.
‘Shock Control 2.0’ Adhesive Sheets
Shock Control 2.0 is a flexible, self-adhesive, fiberglass reinforced sheet, pre-cut to cover the underside of 24″ x 24″ or 16” x 48” (nom.) pavers.
The sheet is attached to the paver by first peeling off the protective backing and then pressing the sheet firmly onto the underside of a clean, dry paver, making sure to avoid any air bubbles.
Always check that adequate adhesion is achieved and in no circumstances apply Shock Control when the ambient temp is below 32°F. In cold conditions, directing hot air on the underside of the paver can improve adhesion. A primer may also be required under some circumstances to ensure adequate adhesion.
Download more detailed installation guidelines here.