Decking pads for joists and pedestals

Decking pads – separating the decking structure from the ground

Decking pads are components used when building a deck to separate the joists that form its supporting structure from the ground. This prevents structural elements from coming into contact with damp surfaces, which could adversely affect the durability and service life of the joists.

Materials used to make decking pads

GARDEN POLSKA offers decking pads made from rubber or plastic. Rubber pads provide additional cushioning for the decking structure and reduce noise. They are also resistant to deformation and readily accommodate temperature changes and uneven ground. Plastic pads, meanwhile, are lightweight, easy to install and offer the weather resistance typical of plastics. The remaining functional features of these two types of pads are very similar.

Benefits of decking pads

Deck owners and builders highlight several key benefits of decking pads, including:

• reduced friction: the pads reduce friction between the joists or other supports and the ground, helping to prevent potential damage to these components;
• protection against moisture and corrosion: by separating the joists from damp ground, decking pads protect against moisture ingress, which can cause wooden boards to rot or metal structures to rust;
• even load distribution: spreading the load across many different points helps extend the service life of the structure;
• quick and easy installation: the pads are easy and very quick to fit, allowing you to move on to the next stages of building the deck;

height adjustment: plastic decking pads allow the height of the joists to be adjusted, so you can adapt the height of the decking structure to your current requirements. This is useful on uneven ground.