Balconies, terraces, podium decks and roof decks are increasingly expected to function as high-performing, accessible outdoor environments. Alongside the architectural requirements of the finished space, designers must also address drainage, membrane protection and long-term serviceability.

Raised flooring systems are commonly specified for waterproofed outdoor environments where these considerations are critical. In addition to supporting drainage performance, they can help simplify detailing, improve serviceability, and provide greater flexibility when coordinating different surface finishes and construction heights.

By supporting pavers, tiles or decking above the waterproofed substrate, raised flooring systems allow the finished surface to remain level while accommodating the falls required below.

Water can drain freely across the membrane surface to designated outlets without influencing the finished surface. The separation between the trafficable surface and waterproofing layer also supports inspection, maintenance and future access to underlying drainage and services. This accessibility is particularly important on roof decks and podiums. For enclosed weathertight deck constructions, E2/AS1 requires raised removable surfaces of tiles, pavers or timber decking to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of the underlying deck surface.

Raised flooring systems also provide greater flexibility when coordinating finished floor levels, thresholds and transitions between surface materials. This can be particularly beneficial on projects incorporating a combination of paving, decking or landscaped areas, where drainage performance and buildability must be considered alongside the architectural outcome.

The Equus Jacks range provides a complete raised flooring solution for waterproofed outdoor environments. Suitable for balconies, terraces, roof decks and podiums, the range includes adjustable and fixed-height pedestals together with modular support grid systems for a variety of surface finishes.

Projects with varying build-up heights or sloping substrates benefit from the adjustable Queen pedestal system, while the low-profile Lord range is suited to applications where available construction depth is limited. For more complex layouts, the Poker Grid system supports pavers, decking and landscaped elements, allowing multiple surface finishes to be incorporated within a single outdoor space.

Whether the priority is adjustability, low build-up heights or greater design flexibility, the Equus Jacks range provides a practical solution for creating durable and maintainable outdoor environments.