A raised terrace surrounding the pool, made of SUPATRAY ZeroFlex material

 

On the southern coast of France, the renovation of a private pool terrace provided an opportunity to test the new SUPATRAY ZeroFlex system. The setting appears idyllic, but from a technical standpoint, it is one of the most demanding: intense sunlight, constant humidity, direct contact with pool water, and guests with high aesthetic expectations.

 

The requirements were clear: a double-floor system that would blend harmoniously into the pool area and withstand the loads typical of a space used intensively on a daily basis; and in terms of design, it should be installed in a stepped configuration to emphasize the linearity of the whole.

 

The choice fell on the UPTEC safety system and its main components: adjustable SUPASFX supports, SUPATRAY ZeroFlex safety grates, and SUPATRAYGRIP locking discs.

 

Construction challenges

 

A terrace located next to a swimming pool involves a number of technical requirements that leave no room for error. The installation plan presented numerous challenges due to the presence of the pool and required a support system that would allow for precise adjustment while preventing point loads from being transferred to the underlying waterproofing layers. SUPASFX brackets combined with the SUPAR extension ring proved to be the best solution for this project thanks to their height-adjustable design. They were precisely tailored to the requirements and ensured a perfectly level surface along the entire length of the terrace.

 

Added to this was the challenge that the client had insisted from the outset on a stepped layout as a necessary requirement. While this decision is understandable from an aesthetic standpoint, from a technical perspective it represents one of the most critical scenarios for raised installation systems. Without central support, low-stiffness grating tends to flex under asymmetrical loads, causing noticeable instability when walking on it and potentially leading to structural issues in the medium term. This is a well-known limitation that often forces designers and installers to deviate from the desired layout or to install unplanned intermediate supports, which entails both time and cost implications.

 

 

Technical solution: ZeroFlex

 

In this context, the SUPATRAY ZeroFlex system played a key role. The grating, made of high-quality polypropylene with dimensions of 598 × 598 mm, was designed to be virtually non-deformable, even under asymmetrical loads—and these are precisely the conditions that consistently occur in a stepped layout. This made it possible to achieve the desired configuration without the need for additional center supports and without compromising the structure’s stability.

 

SUPATRAYGRIP connecting pads completed the system by joining adjacent gratings together and transforming the surface into a continuous, integrated whole. Quick and precise installation eliminated the risk of misalignment or micro-shifts over time, which is particularly important in an environment such as a pool area, where cycles of wetting and drying, as well as seasonal temperature fluctuations, constantly subject materials to stress.

 

The system’s load-bearing capacity—up to 800 kg per mounting point—ensured that it was ideally suited for the anticipated conditions of use, including the high foot traffic typical of recreational areas during the summer season.

 

Application and results

 

In this project, eliminating the need for additional center supports significantly simplified the installation process and enabled smooth, continuous installation. SUPATRAYGRIP panels connect easily and ensure precise alignment right from the first elements installed, which reduces errors and shortens the overall installation time.

 

The terrace delivered to the client is a space that fully meets expectations: a stable and visually balanced surface that quickly drains water from the pool and withstands daily use in a climate that is hard on materials. The stepped layout, implemented without compromising the structure, gives the entire project that compositional quality that distinguishes a well-thought-out outdoor design from a purely functional solution.

 

This project on the southern coast of France confirmed a principle well known to those who work with outdoor spaces: the most attractive conditions are usually the most demanding from a technical standpoint. Sun, water, heat, heavy use: everything that makes a poolside terrace such a desirable place poses a challenge to every component of the installation system.

 

The combination of SUPASFX, ZeroFlex, and SUPATRAYGRIP proved to be the right solution for meeting these requirements without compromising design freedom or structural integrity. In a market where these two goals still too often seem irreconcilable, this shipyard has proven otherwise.