Adjustable EC Pedestal System for Raised Floors

Manufacturer/Importer:

Importer and Distributor in Israel: Eyal Coatings Ltd.

Manufacturer: ARMADA Groupe, Turkey

Main Uses:

Outdoor areas for:
* Commercial spaces
* Hospitality (hotels)
* Offices
* Public buildings
* Industrial facilities
* Residential buildings
* Balconies, rooftops, and poolside installations

What Makes It Special?

A leading and advanced solution for outdoor flooring—adjustable EC pedestals.
These pedestals bridge slopes and height differences to create a straight, stable, and
durable tiled surface with a high load-bearing capacity, suitable for various
applications.
 

Category:

Outdoor Flooring

What are Raised Floors?

Raised floors are the "latest innovation" and an advanced solution for tiling or decking outdoor spaces. It is used for landscaping, balconies, rooftops, gardens, poolside areas, private homes, penthouses, and more. This method provides an excellent alternative to traditional flooring techniques involving substrate filling and mortar.


The tiles are placed on a stable surface supported by adjustable EC pedestals (ranging from 15 mm to the required height), ensuring a perfectly leveled and even surface. With a raised floor, there is no need to create a slope for water on the surface. Water flows easily through the gaps between the tiles (installed without grout) and drains into the system according to the slope of the underlying infrastructure. Dedicated spacers ensure consistent gaps between the tiles.

Innovation and Uniqueness in the Field

This flooring method offers numerous advantages over the traditional techniques previously used, including:

  • Quick and Clean Installation: No need for cement or adhesives.
  • Reduced Structural Weight: Eliminates the need for substrate layers.
  • Protection and Insulation: Shades and safeguards waterproofing systems while reducing the building's roof temperature.
  • Ease of Maintenance: Provides easy access for inspection and maintenance of the waterproofing system.
  • Perfectly Leveled Surface: Achieved without creating slopes in the tiling.
  • Load Resistance: The system is highly durable and supports heavy loads.
  • Renovation Solution: Ideal for renewing existing flooring.

These benefits, along with others, make this system a leading choice for modern outdoor flooring projects.

Adjustable EC pedestals and accessories from the Support series. Photo: Eyal Coatings

 What Does a Raised Floor System Include?

  • EC Pedestals: Made of durable polypropylene plastic, available in various heights starting from 0.6 inches (15 mm) up to 9.8 inches (250 mm). Heights above 9.8 inches can be achieved by adding "extenders," allowing adjustment to any required height (over 3.3 feet or more). This flexibility enables easy bridging of height differences in the tiled area without the need for heavy substrates or gravel.

 

  • Spacers: A clean gap is maintained between tiles without grout. Spacers are available in joint widths ranging from 0.08 inches (2 mm) to 0.4 inches (10 mm), depending on project requirements.

 

  • Rubber Base: Used to separate EC pedestals from the roof or balcony waterproofing layer. Applied directly on the waterproofing surface, these bases are supplied in dimensions of 8 x 8 inches (20 x 20 cm) with a thickness of 0.12 inches (3 mm) or 0.2 inches (5 mm).

 

  • Slope Corrector: Enables leveling of the EC pedestal on sloped surfaces with gradients of 2% or 3%, facilitating proper water drainage.

 

  • Flooring Tiles: Tiles are purchased separately according to project requirements and are not included in the EC pedestal system. Typically, porcelain granite tiles 0.8 inches thick (2 cm), sold by various suppliers in the market, are used. Tiles can be placed directly on the EC pedestals following the manufacturer’s instructions, maintaining fixed intervals of every 24 inches (60 cm). The system’s design, with tiles installed closely using spacers and their own weight, prevents any movement of the entire assembly.

 

  • Grating: Eyal Coatings supplies durable fiberglass grating for installation on EC pedestals. Tiles of various thicknesses can then be laid on this grating. The grating is highly resistant to heavy loads, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. For more information on this component, please contact us directly.

About Eyal Coatings

Eyal Coatings, established in 1991, has accumulated extensive experience over the years and consistently adopts and markets new technologies in Israel. The company specializes in finishing profiles for cladding and flooring and continuously develops innovative solutions tailored to project demands, incorporating the latest design and architectural trends.

Eyal Coatings offers a variety of solutions, including:
• IgloTech System: A foundation for concrete surfaces.
• Profiles: For ceramics, lighting, drywall, plaster, cladding, and flooring.
• Accessories and Products: For plaster and wet flooring systems.
• Accessibility Products: Floor guidance systems for the visually impaired and blind.
• Decorative Bathroom Shelves: For hotels and other facilities.
• EC Pedestal System: A foundation for raised flooring, as detailed in this review.

With a commitment to innovation and quality, Eyal Coatings provides advanced solutions for the construction and design industries in Israel.

About the Manufacturer of EC Pedestals – Armada Groupe

The EC pedestals distributed by Eyal Coatings are manufactured by the Turkish company Armada Groupe, founded in 1994.

Armada Groupe specializes in exporting infrastructure solutions, focusing on sustainable systems in the following areas:

  • Flooring systems
  • Green roofs and walls
  • Pool equipment

In 2001, the company began producing EC pedestals under the Support brand, certified with the ISO-9001 Quality Management Standard (certificate attached in the appendices).

The company also produces two additional brands, SurPlot and Support Eco (also imported to Israel by Eyal Coatings), which offer solutions for integrating pedestals as foundations for wooden decking and more.

Armada Groupe holds registered patents for these products (patent certificates included in the appendices) and distributes them to over 65 countries worldwide.

Three Key Features of the Product (Based on SID Research)

  • Quick and Clean Installation with Reduced Structural Weight
    Raised flooring allows for "dry installation" without the use of wet materials like cement or heavy substrates such as gravel. This significantly reduces unnecessary weight on the structure—up to 80% weight reduction per square meter of flooring and substrate. This is especially critical for large balconies in penthouses, where significant fill thickness is required on the top floor of a building. Reduced weight can translate into structural cost savings.
  • Aesthetic Solution for Drainage and Slope Challenges
    Large tiled areas, such as balconies and expansive outdoor spaces, often face challenges in creating slopes and maintaining a "zero-level" height at the interface with adjacent areas. Raised flooring bridges these height differences, providing a perfectly level surface while concealing drainage systems entirely.
    Water flows freely through the gaps between tiles and continues to the drainage system according to the underlying slope. The system is fully accessible—individual tiles can be removed to allow for maintenance and then reinstalled without damage.
  • Excellent Load Resistance and High Stability
    The system is designed to withstand heavy loads, supporting up to 2,200 lbs (1 ton) per EC pedestal. For added flexibility, fiberglass grating can be combined with the EC pedestals, allowing for the installation of a wide range of flooring types while ensuring stability and durability.

Three Detailed Steps for Installing a Raised Floor System

3

Laying flooring tiles on the pedestals using vacuum suction cups

2

Placement and leveling of pedestals

1

Placement of suitable rubber to protect the waterproofing layer (if installed on a waterproofing system)

How Does the EC Raised Flooring System Benefit the Structure?​

In addition to the points detailed earlier in this review, here are further advantages of the EC raised flooring system​:

  • Significant Weight Reduction for the Structure
    The EC system eliminates the need for heavy substrate layers, such as gravel, often used as a base beneath traditional flooring. This results in substantial weight savings—up to 550 lbs per square meter (over 110 lbs per square foot).

For example:

  • A 6-inch (15 cm) thick layer of gravel with a density of 100 lbs per cubic foot (1,600 kg/m³) weighs 49 lbs per square foot (240 kg/m²).
  • In contrast, the raised floor system requires only 0.8-inch (2 cm) thick porcelain granite tiles weighing approximately 9 lbs per square foot (45 kg/m²).

In some cases, the savings are even more significant. For instance, with a 12-inch (30 cm) thick gravel layer (commonly used in penthouse floors or due to other constraints), the unnecessary weight can reach 102 lbs per square foot (500 kg/m²)—a half ton per square meter! This load is entirely avoided with the EC system, providing a lighter and more efficient solution.

  • Protection and Extended Lifespan of the Waterproofing Layer

    Each EC pedestal can be equipped with a rubber base, placed directly on the waterproofing layer. This provides localized protection, preventing damage from pressure points or friction. In addittion,The raised floor installation method contributes to a longer lifespan for balcony or roof waterproofing layers.

The open space beneath the EC raised floor system allows for the free and rapid flow of water over the waterproofing layer, following the roof’s slope. This design minimizes the risk of standing water, which often leads to prolonged damp conditions that can damage the waterproofing layer. Unlike traditional methods that use gravel or mortar substrates, which can trap moisture, the EC system keeps the waterproofing dry and extends its lifespan.

Additionally, the raised floor provides shade for the waterproofing layer, reducing exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures. This is particularly beneficial for bituminous waterproofing materials, which are vulnerable to heat and UV radiation. By protecting the waterproofing from these elements, the system significantly extends its service life.

  • No Need for Slopes on the Flooring Surface

The EC raised flooring system creates a perfectly level surface, enabling seamless transitions to balconies without requiring slopes or unnecessary height differences.

Achieving proper slopes on a balcony can be challenging and often requires undesirable solutions, such as raising the entire substrate level on the floor to achieve the necessary slope or creating an elevated threshold at the balcony entrance.

Unlike traditional flooring methods using mortar, the EC raised flooring system ensures a level and seamless surface relative to the balcony entrance without the need for slopes on the tiled surface.

For example:
To meet standard drainage requirements with a slope of 1.5% for a drain positioned 33 feet (10 meters) away, a height difference of 6 inches (15 cm) is required. This is difficult to achieve on balconies, rooftops, and other areas while accommodating various infrastructures.

The EC system eliminates this challenge by relying solely on the slopes of the waterproofing layer, providing a practical and efficient solution.

Free and Accessible Passage for Infrastructure and Pipes Under the Flooring

The space between the substrate and the underside of the tiles allows for the aesthetic and unobstructed placement of pipes and utilities. Additionally, since the raised floor system is modular, this infrastructure remains easily accessible for future maintenance. Tiles can be lifted as needed and reinstalled without damage, ensuring convenience and efficiency

Example of pipe installation beneath a raised floor. Photo: Eyal Coatings

Renovating Existing Surfaces Without Removal

If there is sufficient height clearance and compliance with other engineering requirements, the EC system can be installed directly over an existing floor without the need for its removal. This approach offers significant cost and time savings while minimizing disruption.

חידוש ריצוף ברצפה צפה על גביי ריצוף ישן.
Renovating flooring with the EC raised floor system over existing tiles. Photo: Eyal Coatings

The EC System is Suitable as a Durable Foundation for Wooden Decking

ביסוס לדק
Wooden decking installed on adjustable pedestals. Photo: Eyal Coatings

Adjustable EC pedestals, resistant to rot, provide a stable and adjustable foundation for wooden decking. Without the use of EC pedestals, wooden decking installers often create a base from vertical wooden beams cut to size and coated with tar to prevent rot. However, despite the tar coating, this type of foundation is prone to decay over time, leading to damage and unevenness in the decking.

Using EC adjustable pedestals eliminates this issue, ensuring long-term durability and stability. Additionally, the leveling process with EC pedestals is clean, quick, and simple, saving significant installation time while delivering a superior result.

Clean and Efficient Solution for Swimming Pools

Perfect and clean installation at the waterline of a swimming pool. Photo: Eyal Coatings

When used around a swimming pool, the system allows alignment with the water level without the need for height differences or visible drainage grates. Water flows naturally through the gaps between the tiles into a concealed drainage channel beneath the surface. This creates a clean and luxurious appearance while eliminating the need for exposed perimeter channels.

  • Savings on Decorative Drain Grates

    Designers, architects, and clients often prefer to avoid visible drains. With the EC raised flooring system, drainage is achieved through the open joints between tiles, which are left grout-free. This eliminates the need for installing decorative drain grates on the balcony's flooring level, resulting in a cleaner and more streamlined appearance.

For example, creating a slope of 1.5% for a drain located 33 feet (10 meters) away requires a total height difference of 6 inches (15 cm). This can be difficult to achieve in balconies, roofs, and outdoor areas where various infrastructures are present, or where ceiling-to-floor height is limited.

The raised flooring system eliminates this challenge by relying only on the slope of the waterproofing layer, bridging height differences effortlessly and maintaining a level surface above.

Drainage in a traditional installation without the EC raised flooring system. Photo: Eyal Coatings
Drain cover in the EC raised flooring system. Photo: Eyal Coatings

Cost-Benefit of the System

  •  Excellent Compatibility with Green and Blue Roofs

When combined with a green roof, the EC raised flooring system allows for a seamless alignment between the flooring and the landscaping areas, creating a striking architectural design.

For blue roofs, the system facilitates the temporary retention of stormwater beneath the raised tiles, contributing to the project's hydrological solution.

For more information on green and blue roofs, refer to the SID overview here (Hebrew).

  • 5-Year Warranty

The company provides a 5-year warranty on the integrity of the pedestals (a warranty statement document is included in the appendices).

Cost-Benefit of the EC System – Key Points to Consider as a Cost-Effective Solution:

Feature

EC System

Foundation

EC pedestals are available in a wide range of heights to suit various applications. They reduce the weight on the structure by eliminating heavy substrate materials. This results in fixed load savings that can reduce the required steel reinforcement and concrete thickness, especially in cantilevered balconies sensitive to loads.

Flooring Tiles

Compatible with 2 cm thick porcelain tiles, which are strong and durable, recommended for outdoor environments as a better alternative to thinner tiles that are prone to breakage.

Installation

Easy and quick leveling process, offering high productivity and reduced labor costs.

Work Quality

Provides a premium, perfectly leveled, and aesthetically impressive finish, delivering high-end value for the client.

Future Maintenance

Extends the lifespan of existing waterproofing systems and enables easy future maintenance without breaking tiles or removing heavy substrates. The system allows for tile reuse, making it a more sustainable solution compared to other alternatives.

Summary of Benefits

Considering all the benefits and costs, the EC system offers high economic value and significant cost savings for projects compared to other solutions.

Contribution of the System toward a sustainable Building

  • Certified Compliance with Environmental Management Standard – ISO 14001
  • ISO 14001:2015 is an international standard applicable to any organization.
  • Based on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, it specifies the essential requirements for identifying, controlling, and monitoring an organization's environmental aspects and managing the improvement of these aspects.
  • Made from 100% Recycled Material

    EC pedestals are made of polypropylene. Certification of recycled material content is included in the appendices.

  • Shading for Energy Efficiency and Reducing Urban Heat Island Effect

    Installing a raised floor improves the thermal and energy performance of rooftop spaces by reducing heat absorption. This can lead to:

    • Energy Savings: Lower cooling demands in rooftop apartments.
    • Improved Energy Ratings: Better thermal model results for rooftop units, potentially earning points toward green building certification (see scoring table below).
    • Reduction of the Urban Heat Island Effect: Decreased heat absorption by the roof helps
  • Ventilation Beneath Tiles:
    The open space between tiles allows for free air and water movement. The raised floor system creates constant shade over the roof, blocking direct sunlight from reaching it. In sunny climates, such as Israel's, roof shading helps cool the structure by preventing heat absorption into the ceilings of rooftop spaces.

 

  • Thermal Model Optimization:
    When running a thermal simulation for a building, the shading effect of the raised floor can be included (compared to traditional flooring). This is particularly impactful in renovations of older buildings, where the existing roof insulation typically has a low R-value.

In newer buildings with high-quality insulation (high R-value), the thermal performance improvement from the raised floor system may be less noticeable, as the insulation itself already provides effective thermal protection.

  • Macro-Level Impact:
    Beyond improving the building's thermal model (micro-level), the system contributes to cooling the surrounding environment (macro-level). By reducing heat absorption by the roof, it plays a role in mitigating the urban heat island effect.
  • Solution for Acoustic Insulation Between Building Floors

The rubber base provides a separation between the raised floor system and the structure's floor. This separation reduces the transmission of impact noise from the flooring through the EC system to the building’s structural floor.

As a result, the EC system can serve as an acoustic insulation solution between floors without the need for additional acoustic insulation layers. (Subject to approval by the project's acoustic consultant and the relevant structural section characteristics).

For more details, see the acoustic insulation certification in the appendices.

LEED Credit Potential for EC Raised Floor System

The EC raised flooring system can contribute to other LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) categories and credits based on its features and benefits:

Note: It should be noted that the standard for green construction is a standard for the structure (complete project) and not for a specific product. The scoring detailed below indicates the scoring options in the structure as a result of the product implementation in the execution. The final score for the structure will be determined only by the standard certification institute.

LEED Category

Relevance of the EC System

Potential LEED Credit

Notes

Energy and Atmosphere (EA)

Optimize Energy Performance: Shading from the EC system reduces rooftop heat absorption, improving energy efficiency.Up to 18 points (based on energy modeling).Perform a thermal simulation to calculate energy savings from reduced cooling demands.

Sustainable Sites (SS)

Heat Island Reduction: Light-colored tiles and shading reduce heat island effects, improving environmental conditions.Up to 2 points (roof strategies must cover at least 75% of the roof area).Ensure tiles meet Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) thresholds (≥29 for steep roofs, ≥82 for low-sloped roofs).

Materials and Resources (MR)

Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Sourcing of Raw Materials: EC pedestals are made from 100% recycled polypropylene.Up to 2 points (for use of recycled materials in project construction).Documentation of recycled content is required for credit eligibility.

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

Acoustic Performance: The rubber bases reduce impact noise transmission between floors, contributing to better acoustic performance.Up to 1 point (for acoustic comfort in residential and commercial spaces).

Subject to acoustic performance evaluation by a qualified consultant.

Innovation (IN)

Innovation in Design: The EC system provides advanced benefits like shading, stormwater management, and modularity, which can be presented as an innovative feature.Up to 5 points (depending on the extent and creativity of the innovation).

Requires detailed documentation of the unique benefits provided by the EC system.

Regional Priority (RP)

Adaptation to Local Climate Needs: In regions prone to high heat or heavy rainfall, the EC system directly addresses local challenges.Up to 4 points (depending on the project’s regional LEED priority areas).Check the LEED regional priority credit database for location-specific alignment.


Additional Benefits Supporting LEED

  1. Acoustic Comfort
    • By isolating impact noise through the use of rubber bases, the system improves acoustic performance, especially in multi-story buildings.
  1. Innovation Points
    • The EC system’s modularity, sustainability, and ability to support green and blue roof applications can be submitted for additional innovation credits under the Innovation (IN) category.
  1. Regional Climate Adaptation
    • Projects in hot, urban climates can leverage the system's urban heat island reduction and shading benefits to meet Regional Priority (RP) goals.

 

This expanded framework provides a robust presentation of how the EC system supports a variety of LEED certification credits, making it an integral part of sustainable building design.

  • CoC Certification for compliance with Turkish Standards
  • The Certificate of Conformity (CoC) confirms the product complies with relevant Turkish standards.
  • It demonstrates that the product has undergone testing and meets the required standards in the country of production.
  • A copy of the certification is included in the appendices.
  • ISO 9001 – Quality Management Certification
  • ISO 9001 is an international standard that establishes guidelines for implementing an effective quality management system (QMS) within an organization.
  • The certification focuses on ensuring consistent quality in products or services provided by the organization.
  • It is generic and applicable to organizations of any size or sector.
  • Compliance with Fire Resistance Standards
  • UL94: An American standard for testing the flammability of plastic materials. It evaluates the product’s behavior when exposed to fire and classifies it based on its response.
  • ASTM D635: A standard developed by ASTM International to assess the burning characteristics of plastic materials in a horizontal position.
  • HB Classification:
    • The Horizontal Burning (HB) rating indicates the product was tested in a horizontal orientation and burns at a rate below the maximum specified by the standard.
    • This classification means the product demonstrates a low level of flammability compared to materials tested in vertical positions.

Copies of all certifications are included in the appendices.

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Important Notes

  • Responsibility: The validity and accuracy of certifications are the responsibility of the product manufacturer.
  • Consultation Required: This document is intended to assist but does not replace the need to consult with professional advisors, to confirm the product's suitability for specific projects and uses.

 

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יום ה' 13.02.2025, 8:30-16:30
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