VitaroUNO INDUSTRIALGuide
How to Choose the Right Adjustable Pedestal
Choosing a pedestal comes down to three numbers: the finished height, the load it must carry, and the head type. Get those right and the series selects itself.
1. Work out the finished height
Measure from the structural slab (or membrane) to your target finished floor level. This is your total build-up. Vitaro pedestals cover:
- F Series: 20–185 mm (low build-ups, balconies)
- B Series: 20–260 mm (general decks and paving)
- HE Series: 25–392 mm (large raised decks, tall podiums)
If you need more than the standard range, add 100 mm or 150 mm extenders.
2. Calculate the load
Estimate the dead load (slab/tile/deck weight) plus live load (people, furniture, snow) per square metre, then divide by the pedestal grid spacing to get load per pedestal. Vitaro maximum loads:
- B Series: up to 3,500 kg per pedestal
- F Series: up to 2,200 kg per pedestal
- HE Series: up to 2,000 kg per pedestal
Load capacity falls as height rises — always check the model table for your exact height.
3. Pick the head type
Use a fixed head on flat substrates. On sloped roofs or uneven decks, choose the self-leveling head (±5°), which auto-compensates so the finished surface stays flat.
4. Compare Vitaro series
| Series | Height | Max load | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| HE | 25–392 mm | up to 2,000 kg | Large raised decks, podiums, rooftops |
| B | 20–260 mm | up to 3,500 kg | Best-value decks & tiling, high load |
| F | 20–185 mm | up to 2,200 kg | Balconies, low voids, fine paving |
Full specs: HE Series · B Series · F Series.
5. Common mistakes
- Specifying by max catalogue load instead of load at the actual height.
- Forgetting the self-leveling head on sloped roofs — then shimming on site.
- Under-spacing pedestals to save cost, then exceeding per-pedestal load.
- Using a mortar bed where a pedestal grid would be faster and re-levelable.