Wind Uplift Solutions for Porcelain Pavers on Elevated Decks

Wind Uplift Solutions for Pedestal Supported Deck Installations

Any paver laid without adhesives or other mechanical fixing on a rooftop, balcony or other exposed area on a high-rise building, will be subject to the force of wind, with the risk in some cases of the pavers becoming airborne. Roof pavers are particularly sensitive, not just to differential pressures caused by wind, but to pressure gradients.

The net uplift force on individual pavers is affected by many factors.  On the site or building level scale, it is affected by the height, shape, orientation and exposure of the building, plus the rooftop size etc., while on the paver scale, it is primarily affected by the angle of incoming wind, paver gap width, pedestal height, parapet height, paver weight and size.

It is very important therefore when designing decks on rooftops or other elevated surfaces laid with pedestal supported pavers, that due consideration is given to the susceptibly of the deck pavers to wind uplift. Several large-scale wind tunnel research studies have shown that the most effective means of mitigating wind uplift of pavers is to lock the pavers together as one rigid body with mechanical fixing devices. This is especially important with pavers laid close to exposed corners and extending for some distance along the perimeter.

Archatrak has developed two systems to lock pedestal supported porcelain pavers together in a contiguous array to reduce the risk of wind uplift, using either 2cm or 3cm thick pavers. Neither system affects the visual appearance of the deck.

Play the two videos below to see how each locking system is installed.




Kerf Cut Corners with Hold Down Washer – 3cm Pavers

This system uses our thicker T30 porcelain pavers . A small semi-circular kerf is cut in each corner of the paver to accept a custom-made steel hold-down washer. (We can suggest a suitable saw for cutting the kerf at the building site on request).  This method offers the advantages of:

  • using standard (unmodified) components
  • a relatively simple installation procedure
  • using no adhesives
  • no waiting for adhesives to cure
  • the ability to lift up any individual paver for under deck maintenance
  • no visible fixing devices on the surface of the deck

The pavers are securely fixed to the pedestal head of our Incendio steel pedestals with a stainless steel screw inserted through the center of the washer which in turn screws into the tapped head of the pedestal.  We use corrosion resistant steel pedestals for this system as they provide a much more rigid structure than plastic pedestals as well as being totally non-combustible.

This system has been tested in accordance with ASTM E330 and a non-site specific structural performance evaluation by Engineering Express, Boca Raton FL. has certified  the Archatrak 3cm porcelain paver system to resist the wind pressure of 135PSF for roof top or at grade installations in accordance with design criteria, International Building Code (2015, 2018 & 2021), Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023), ASCE 7-16/7-22 Load Combinations.

More extreme uplift prevention may be possible by adhering the base of the pedestal to the membrane with a compatible adhesive.




Pavers Bonded to ‘SpanSafe’ Steel Trays with Adhesive – 2cm Pavers

Since 2cm thick porcelain pavers are not thick enough to safely cut a kerf in each corner, we developed a solution using our ‘SpanSafe’ steel trays with raised quadrants at each corner.

2cm thick pavers are bonded to each of the four raised corners of the ‘SpanSafe’ trays with beads of Chemlink M1 or 3M 550 adhesive. A washer is fitted in the space between the tray and the paver and screwed down tightly to the tapped heads of our ‘Incendio’ steel pedestals.  Using steel pedestals ensures the screw cannot pull out when subject to strong uplift forces, as can occur with plastic pedestals.

An added advantage of this system is that it not only provides break through protection for the pavers but can be used where a totally non-combustible deck is needed.

This system has been tested in accordance with ASTM E330 and a non-site specific structural performance evaluation by Engineering Express, Boca Raton FL. has certified  the Archatrak 2cm porcelain paver system to resist the wind pressure of 87PSF for roof top or at grade installations in accordance with design criteria, International Building Code (2015, 2018 & 2021), Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023), ASCE 7-16/7-22 Load Combinations.

In 2012, Archatrak commissioned the Florida International University Wall of Wind facility to investigate the wind speed at which lift up and blow off of 3/4″ thick 24″ x 24″ porcelain pavers and 24″ x 24″ structural Ipe wood deck tiles would occur.

The tests indicated that blow off (a paver carried away from its original location) could occur under the following conditions:

  • Ipe wood tiles – 12” high parapet, 8” high pedestals – 100 mph
  • Porcelain pavers – no parapet, 8” high pedestals – 90 mph
  • Porcelain pavers – 12” high parapet, 8” high pedestals – 110 mph

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