What does the installation of a terrace on mortar bags involve?
This technique involves point-supporting terrace pavers using foil bags filled with wet cement mortar.
The bags are typically placed at the points where the four corners of the pavers meet. To maintain even gaps between the pavers, spacer crosses are additionally used.
Once the mortar has set, the bags form point supports for the terrace pavers. However, this solution has quite a few drawbacks.
1. Difficulties in achieving a perfect level
The biggest challenge during installation is precisely leveling all the pavers.
If one of the pavers is pressed down too hard during laying, later height correction is very difficult. In practice, this often leads to height differences between adjacent pavers.
2. No adjustment possible after installation is complete
Once the mortar has set, the height of the support becomes fixed.
Unlike adjustable pedestals, there is no possibility of quickly correcting the level without dismantling part of the surface.
3. Risk of damage to the support pads
During installation or use, the foil cover may become damaged.
If the support pad bursts before the mortar has fully set, it may affect the stability of the support and the geometry of the entire surface.
4. Sensitivity to Weather Conditions
The mortar setting process depends on temperature and air humidity.
Heavy rainfall or unfavorable weather conditions can hinder the proper installation of the terrace.
5. Limited possibility of later servicing
One of the greatest advantages of a raised deck terrace is the easy access to the space beneath the surface.
With adjustable pedestals, it is enough to remove a single paver and perform adjustment or inspection of the substrate.
With the bag technology, any intervention in the surface can cause loss of stability of adjacent supports and require re-leveling.
Adjustable pedestals vs. mortar bags
Adjustable pedestals have been designed specifically for the construction of raised deck terraces.
Their most important advantages are:
- height adjustment capability,
- quick installation,
- immediate readiness for use,
- easy access to the space under the terrace,
- possibility of adjustments even after many years of use,
- high resistance to weather conditions.
Additionally, the pedestals are made of materials resistant to frost, moisture, and UV radiation, thanks to which they retain their properties for many years.
Is it possible to build a terrace on gravel bags?
Theoretically, yes. Technically, it is possible and such installations can be found on the market.
However, it is worth remembering that this solution requires great precision in execution, and subsequent adjustment options are very limited.
That is why adjustable pedestals are increasingly used in modern raised deck terraces, providing greater installation accuracy, easier maintenance, and greater comfort during installation and use.
Summary
A raised deck terrace on mortar bags is a solution that can be executed, but it comes with a number of limitations related to leveling, stability, and subsequent maintenance of the surface.
If you care about a durable, even, and easy-to-maintain terrace, it is worth considering the use of system terrace pedestals, which were created specifically for this type of construction.
