Keksia (by Eterno Ivica) Buyer's Guide — TradieCart
This guide helps you choose the right Keksia pedestal support for your raised flooring project. Keksia is the exclusive Australian distributor for Eterno Ivica — an Italian manufacturer with 70 years of innovation in adjustable pedestal systems. Whether you are building a rooftop terrace, balcony, pool surround, or ground-level patio, there is a Keksia pedestal sized for the job.
Product Range
| Product | Best For |
|---|---|
| New Maxi (NM) Series — Headless (NM0–NM5, 15–270mm) | Cost-effective option when you already know which head type you need. Buy the pedestal base and pair it with a separate paving, wood deck, or joist head to suit your application |
| New Maxi (NM) Series — with Rubber Top & 4mm Spacer Tab (NM0–NM5, 15–270mm) | Ready-to-go pedestal for standard raised paving — the rubber top reduces noise and vibration, and the 4mm spacer tab sets your grout joint automatically. The go-to choice for most balcony and terrace tiling jobs |
| PR Series — Headless (PR0–PR3, 15–420mm) | Self-levelling pedestal base for sloped substrates — compensates up to 5% gradient. Buy headless and add your preferred head type |
| PR Series — with Rubber Top & 4mm Spacer Tab (PR0–PR3, 15–420mm) | The premium self-levelling option ready to go out of the box. Ideal for balconies and rooftops where the substrate has falls — the head automatically tilts to keep your pavers level. Choose PR over NM when your substrate is not flat |
| Star.T Series (10–15mm, extendable to 30mm) | The world's thinnest adjustable pedestal — perfect for renovation projects with limited clearance, such as raising pavers over an existing slab or waterproofing membrane where every millimetre counts |
| Wood Deck System Heads (NM and PR) | Adapter heads that convert any NM or PR pedestal into a timber or composite decking support — simply swap the paving head for the wood deck head |
| Crisscross Aluminium Joist Heads (NM and PR, 130mm) | Heads for running aluminium joists in a grid pattern — used for joist-based paving and decking systems where you need continuous support rather than point loads |
| Windproof XLW Heads (NM and PR) | Clip-and-lock heads for wind-exposed installations — rooftops, coastal balconies, and elevated terraces where pavers need mechanical fixing |
| Windproof T-Clip and L-Clip | Stainless steel clips that lock pavers to the windproof head — T-Clips for mid-run pavers, L-Clips for perimeter and corner pavers |
| Vertical Clip Systems (NM and PR, 20mm) | Upper and lower face clips for securing pavers vertically against fascias and edges |
| PR Extension 175mm / NM Extension 100mm | Screw-on height extensions when you need to go beyond the standard pedestal range — the PR extension adds 175mm, the NM extension (PNM) adds 100mm. Stack multiple extensions for extreme heights up to 930mm |
| Star.T Extension 5mm | Stackable 5mm extension rings for the Star.T — add up to three for an extra 15mm of height |
| Twist TW110 Slope Corrector (NM Series) | Snap-on slope corrector for NM pedestals — handles substrate gradients up to 2% without needing the self-levelling PR series. A cost-effective alternative to upgrading to PR when your slope is minor |
| Twist TW150 Slope Corrector (Star.T Series) | Slope corrector designed specifically for Star.T pedestals |
| LGH Shims (1mm, 2mm, 3mm) | Thin plastic shims for fine height adjustment — slide under the pedestal base to level out minor substrate imperfections |
| Aluminium Joist System (60mm x 25mm x 2m, Black) | Structural aluminium joist for running continuous support rails between pedestals — used with Crisscross heads for joist-based paving and decking layouts |
| Joist Joint | Connector piece for joining two aluminium joists end-to-end in a straight run |
| Tile Spacers for Aluminium Joist (42mm x 42mm) | Spacer clips that sit on the joist to set consistent tile spacing |
| Safety Grid (500mm x 500mm x 40mm) | Drop-in safety panel that sits between pedestals — prevents items falling through gaps in raised flooring and provides a secondary walking surface for maintenance access |
| Lifting Handles (Zinc Plated — 400mm, 500mm, 600mm) | Suction-free mechanical lifting handles sized to your paver — makes it easy to lift and reposition individual pavers for maintenance or access to services below |
| Perimeter Shock Absorbing Spacer | Rubber buffer strip for the gap between raised pavers and walls or balustrades — absorbs thermal expansion and reduces noise transfer |
| Protective Supplementary Rubber Base (215mm x 2mm) | Additional rubber pad placed under the pedestal to protect waterproofing membranes from point loads |
| PVC Gasket for Quick Flow Joist (8.4mm x 5.3mm x 200m Roll) | Continuous gasket strip for the Quick Flow joist drainage channel |
| Height Self Adjustment Key | The tool for adjusting pedestal height after installation — insert through the paver joint and turn to raise or lower individual pedestals without lifting pavers |
How to Choose: NM vs PR vs Star.T
- Flat substrate, standard job → New Maxi (NM) — simpler, more cost-effective, covers 15–270mm
- Sloped substrate (falls on balcony, rooftop drainage) → PR Series — self-levelling head compensates up to 5% gradient automatically
- Very low clearance (renovation, over existing slab) → Star.T — adjustable from just 10mm
- Minor slope (up to 2%) → NM + Twist TW110 slope corrector — saves upgrading to PR when the gradient is small
- Extreme height (above 420mm) → NM or PR + extensions — stack extensions up to 930mm total
How to Calculate Pedestal Coverage
Use this formula to estimate how many pedestals you need:
Pedestals per m² = Multiplier ÷ (Tile Width in m × Tile Length in m)
Total Pedestals = (Area in m² × Pedestals per m²) × (1 + Wastage %)
The multiplier depends on your tile size — larger tiles need extra support at mid-points and centres to prevent flexing:
| Tile Size Condition | Multiplier | Pedestal Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Both edges 600mm or smaller | 1 | Corners only |
| Square tile 600–750mm | 2 | Corners + centre support |
| Rectangular, any edge over 600mm, shorter edge 750mm or less | 2 | Corners + mid-points along longer edge(s) |
| Both edges over 750mm | 4 | Corners + centre + mid-points on all edges |
Example: 600mm x 600mm pavers over a 25m² balcony (corners only, 10% wastage):
- Pedestals per m² = 1 ÷ (0.6 × 0.6) = 2.78
- Total = (25 × 2.78) × 1.10 = 77 pedestals
Example: 800mm x 800mm pavers over a 30m² terrace (full reinforcement, 10% wastage):
- Pedestals per m² = 4 ÷ (0.8 × 0.8) = 6.25
- Total = (30 × 6.25) × 1.10 = 207 pedestals
Always add 5–15% wastage for cuts, perimeter adjustments, and site variables. When reinforcement applies, extra pedestals are placed at mid-points and centres to support the tile span — this is especially important for porcelain pavers 20mm thick.
Quick Recommendation Guide
- Standard balcony or terrace with pavers on a flat slab → NM Series with Rubber Top & 4mm Spacer Tab — choose your size based on the height you need
- Rooftop terrace or balcony with drainage falls → PR Series with Rubber Top — the self-levelling head keeps pavers flat even on sloped substrates
- Renovation project with minimal clearance → Star.T at just 10mm minimum height — the thinnest pedestal system available
- Timber or composite decking on pedestals → NM or PR headless + Wood Deck System Head — converts the pedestal into a joist support
- Wind-exposed rooftop or coastal location → NM or PR headless + Windproof XLW Head + T-Clips and L-Clips — mechanically locks pavers down
- Aluminium joist grid system → NM or PR headless + Crisscross Head + Aluminium Joist + Joist Joints — for continuous support layouts
Key Features & Benefits
- 70 Years of Italian Engineering — Eterno Ivica holds multiple world-first patents including the self-levelling head, bi-material anti-noise head, and post-installation height adjustment
- Adjustable After Installation — use the Height Adjustment Key to raise or lower individual pedestals through the paver joint without lifting tiles
- Full Height Range — from 10mm (Star.T) to 420mm (PR3), extendable up to 930mm with extensions
- Self-Levelling Technology — PR Series automatically compensates substrate slopes up to 5%, keeping your pavers perfectly level
- Anti-Noise and Anti-Slip — bi-material polypropylene + rubber head reduces impact noise by up to 25dB and prevents paver movement
- Built to Last — rated from -40°C to +120°C, resistant to UV and acids, fully recyclable, and certified to AS/NZS 1530.3 (fire testing)
- Modular System — buy headless pedestals and swap heads for paving, decking, joist, or windproof applications as needed
Common Questions
What is the difference between the NM and PR series? — The NM (New Maxi) is a fixed-head pedestal for flat substrates. The PR (Pedestal Prime) has a self-levelling head that tilts automatically to compensate slopes up to 5%. If your substrate has drainage falls or is not perfectly flat, go PR. If it is flat, NM is more cost-effective.
Can I adjust the height after the pavers are laid? — Yes. Use the Keksia Height Self Adjustment Key — insert it through the paver joint and turn to raise or lower the pedestal without lifting any pavers. This is a patented Eterno Ivica feature.
What is the minimum paver thickness for raised paving? — 20mm for porcelain pavers, 30mm for natural stone. The substrate under the pedestals must be at least 98% compact (solid slab, screed, or waterproofing membrane over concrete).
How many pedestals do I need per square metre? — It depends on your tile size. For 600mm x 600mm pavers you need approximately 2.78 pedestals per m². For larger tiles (over 600mm), you need additional mid-point and centre supports — see the coverage calculation table above.
Should I use NM with a Twist slope corrector or upgrade to PR? — If your substrate slope is 2% or less, the Twist TW110 on an NM pedestal handles it at lower cost. For slopes above 2% up to 5%, you need the PR self-levelling series.
Do I need windproof clips? — For ground-level patios and sheltered balconies, standard paving heads are fine — the weight of 20mm porcelain pavers holds them in place. For rooftops, elevated terraces, and coastal or wind-exposed locations, use the Windproof XLW heads with T-Clips and L-Clips.
Why Choose Keksia?
- Backed by Eterno Ivica — 70 years of Italian innovation with products used on landmark projects worldwide, including Marina Bay Sands and right here in Australia on The Ribbon Sydney and St Mary's Cathedral
- The most complete pedestal system on the market — from 10mm renovation jobs to 930mm rooftop terraces, with paving, decking, joist, and windproof head options all interchangeable on the same base
- Trusted by Australia's top builders — Mirvac, Meriton, Watpac, Hutchinson Builders, and Hindmarsh all specify Keksia pedestals
- Available on TradieCart with delivery across Australia — visit the TradieCart website for current pricing and stock availability