Concrete, Wood or Paving? How to Prepare the Right Base for Anchoring Your Enclosure

Concrete and fully bonded tiles

• The foundation of any continuous surface must always be reinforced concrete.
• If you use outdoor ceramic tiles, they must be fully bonded to the base across their entire surface, otherwise they are liable to crack.
• Directly beneath the track itself, it is best to leave bare concrete.
• If we are installing on existing tiles, they must be cut on both sides of the track. The resulting 10 mm expansion joint is then filled with a flexible sealant (e.g. silicone).

Timber decking and WPC (composite) decking boards

• The support joists must be firmly fixed to a concrete base so that the structure can withstand wind loads. The decking boards are then fixed to these joists.
• WPC boards with a concealed fixing system (grooves and clips) require additional anchoring to prevent lengthwise movement.
• For the trackless and single-track versions, the boards must run across the direction of travel (perpendicular to the guide track).
• It is essential to choose materials with minimal thermal expansion, so that the deck does not deform and the track spacing does not change.

Concrete strip foundations

• If the area around the pool is not a single continuous hard surface (for example, if it is surrounded by lawn), concrete strip foundations must be built beneath the guide tracks.
• The strip must be wide enough: it has to extend at least 25 mm beyond the footprint of the track on each side.

Warning: surfaces to avoid at all costs beneath the track

These solutions do not provide sufficient anchoring strength and carry the risk of uneven settlement or the structure being torn out:

• Paving on pedestals (spacer pads).
• Loose-laid paving (laid only on gravel or a compacted base).
• Lightweight concrete (e.g. polystyrene concrete).

Bear in mind, too, that standard anchoring with screws and wall plugs does not in itself create a watertight joint, which is why careful building preparation with a solid, continuous base is irreplaceable.

Choosing and preparing the right surface is the key to perfect stability and a long service life for your enclosure. We will gladly discuss the specifics of your site with you and recommend the safest anchoring method. Write to us or give us a call for a no-obligation consultation on your project.