The Smarter Way to Support Pavers with Nuragrid Part 2

[Shane Clarke:] My name is Shane Clarke, and it’s my privilege to bring you today’s webinar, number 40. Like all our previous webinars, this one is worth five NZIA CPD points. All past webinars are available on our Education page for those looking to learn or earn more CPD points. Today’s topic is the Nuragrid. Some people say the sequel is never as good as the original, but we’ll try to buck that trend. This is part two of a two-part series. Last month, we broadcast live from site and showed the Nuragrid installation in action. Today, part two is a deeper dive. If it goes to plan, we’ll give a blow-by-blow account of the buildup, show some design files and details, talk about our Revit file, and highlight the multiple surface finishes available. The key point to take away today is that the Nuragrid provides a safe, secure, and stable pedestrian surface. I’m not the only person on the panel. We have Scott Squire, our Architectural Specifications Manager. Morning, Scott. Scott Squire: Morning, Shane. Morning, everyone. Shane Clarke: And Sam, who’s been with us for a while. Sam, before joining us, you were a commercial tiler, correct? Sam: Yes, I ran a small tiling business for over 20 years, doing commercial and high-end residential work. Shane Clarke: Great. We’ll say you’re our expert for the detailing. Thank you. Like all our webinars, we aim to keep this interactive. This session runs for about 30 minutes, so please use the Q&A function. We’ll try to get through a few questions at the end. If we don’t get to yours, everyone registered will receive a transcript, including the Q&A. First, we’ll run a poll to see who has experience walking on slightly unstable floated pedestrian surfaces. It’s a common issue we aim to eliminate with Nuragrid. Before we start, I’ll drop a link to part one of this webinar in the chat so anyone can catch up if needed. Let’s go to the first slide. Scott, over to you. Scott Squire: Thanks, Shane. What we’re looking at here is the beginning of the buildup. There’s a recess drain outlet in a substrate with falls to promote drainage. The substrate could be concrete, plywood, CLT with sheet membrane, or even existing pavers. The key thing for the jack system is that the substrate is stable and non-erodent — swampy or liquefied ground won’t work. Shane Clarke: Nice. Next slide. Scott Squire: Here, we’re introducing self-leveling Nurajack deck pedestals. The configuration varies depending on the project. On nurajack.co.nz, under the technical dropdown, there’s an online quantity surveying calculator. Enter your deck dimensions, tile size, thickness, and spacing, and it generates a schedule of quantities for your suppliers. The pedestal head is self-leveling up to 4.5°. For slopes greater than that, a shim beneath the base offsets the angle. There’s also a Nurawedge for slopes over 5°. Shane Clarke: The next slide shows a cross-section. Scott? Scott Squire: This is our CodeMark certified Nuratherm system with Nurajacks forming part of the warm roof membrane system. If detailing aligns with CodeMark, council legally must accept it. The system also comes with a 20-year material defect warranty. The jacks on PIR insulation won’t point-load or damage the membrane. Typical jack load rating is 1,000 kg, and 600 kg on PIR insulation. We’ve even supported heavy items like spa pools with additional jacks to distribute weight. Designers can download Revit and CAD details from the NuraJack website to simplify integration. The Revit file calculates the exact jack model and extensions needed as you adjust the drawing. Shane Clarke: Next slide shows the Nuragrid layer. Sam? Sam: This is the Nuragrid system. Pedestals directly under tiles work well, but the Nuragrid provides 100% support. The 500x500 mm platform clips together, requires no accessories, and allows access to pedestals for adjustments. Shane Clarke: And on top? Sam: We have structural tiles loose-laid over the grid. Tile spacers maintain access to pedestals, ensuring safety even if tiles shift. Shane Clarke: If something happens to a structural tile, the safety grid below prevents voids, right? Sam: Exactly. This is crucial in high-traffic areas like commercial spaces or fan zones. Shane Clarke: Next slide, problem/solution. Sam: At Bethlehem Shores, tiles direct to Nurajacks were standard, but grout joints lined up with an internal gutter, making pedestals unstable. Installing a row of Nuragrid shifted the pedestal 250 mm, resolving the issue. Shane Clarke: So the grid can be used selectively? Sam: Yes. You can integrate the grid in problem areas without adding many pedestals. Shane Clarke: And near walls? Sam: You can snap the side off to place it right at the edge, ensuring stability. Shane Clarke: Next slide? Sam: Smaller cuts under 150 mm are hard to support with pedestals. Using Nuragrid for just those areas ensures firm tiles. Shane Clarke: Next slide shows perimeter solution. Sam: Tile cladding clips maintain a 12 mm gap around the perimeter of pedestal tiles. Shane Clarke: Next, gluing tiles. Sam: We’ve tested sealants, especially polyurethane, to glue perimeter tiles for a firm result. Non-structural tiles like limestone can also be fully bonded to the grid, achieving structural support. Scott Squire: Fully bonding tiles maintains E2/AS1 compliance and allows localized inspection hatches for access. It also improves wind uplift performance up to 11 kPa ULS. Shane Clarke: Next slides, accessible spots? Sam: Inspection hatches lift with keys for maintenance or checks under the grid. Installation instructions and reports for natural stone are available. Shane Clarke: Next slide, design versatility? Sam: Nuragrid can support non-structural stone or turf. It creates raised, level platforms easily installed by turf installers or builders. Scott Squire: On finished membrane roofs, it’s a lightweight, easy alternative to traditional battens for artificial grass or ballast. The void below allows airflow and reduces weight. Shane Clarke: Next slide, residential case study. Sam: A homeowner installed Nuragrid over previous tiles to create a level turf platform. It was cost-effective, safe, and the air underneath mitigates heat. Shane Clarke: Final slide, finishes. Sam: Nuragrid is a versatile raised platform. You can transition easily between tiles, turf, and pebbles for mixed material podiums. Shane Clarke: To recap: part two of a two-part series. The Nuragrid provides a safe floated pedestrian surface, supports various design finishes, and integrates easily into design drawings. Final poll: if you’re working on a project around this topic and want follow-up, click yes or no. Thank you to my panelists, Scott and Sam. Scott Squire: Thanks, Shane. Sam: Sure. Back out in the rain! Shane Clarke: Thanks, everyone. See you at the next webinar.