On the shores of Lake Norman in Cornelius, N.C., sits Peninsula Cove, a premier residential community built by Augusta Homes, a family-owned, luxury custom homebuilder with deep roots in the neighborhood. For the builder’s fifth project within Peninsula Cove, Augusta Homes had a clear directive from the homeowner: develop a one-of-a-kind outdoor living space made of porcelain tile that was a true extension of the home—one that allowed it to take full advantage of the property’s breathtaking waterfront setting.
The project centered around expanding the outdoor living experience with a series of custom features, including an 18-ft. outdoor grilling space, a fireplace, multiple seating areas, and a striking exposed steel beam spanning the rear terrace as a key architectural detail.
From the earliest stages of design, Augusta Homes worked closely with Charlotte-based flooring contractor C.S. Brown Tile & Stone—an NTCA Member Contractor—and LATICRETE to determine an installation approach that would support both the architectural vision and long-term performance goals of an outdoor installation in the humid subtropical Carolina climate.
Achieving both drainage and a flat surface
The homeowner had two critical design priorities: an 18-ft. outdoor grilling space and a designated seating area to run alongside the fireplace. A modern, linear steel beam ties the spaces together, creating a distinctive architectural element that required an installation system capable of preserving the exposed steel while maintaining proper drainage.
Together, these elements would create a sophisticated, modern gathering space—but they also introduced a design challenge: balancing proper drainage with the homeowner’s desire for a flat finished surface.
Traditionally, exterior tile installations rely on a pitched finished surface to direct water away from the structure. However, incorporating a slope would have created visible changes in elevation and disrupted the seamless aesthetic the design team was working to achieve. Maintaining a flat, continuous surface was especially important across the large entertainment areas where the outdoor kitchen, seating zones, and architectural features intersect. Installers needed a solution that could effectively manage water drainage beneath the terrace while allowing the area above to function as intended.
LATICRETE® NXT® Pedestal System to the rescue
To address this challenge, the project team selected the LATICRETE NXT Pedestal System, an elevated pedestal assembly that allowed the finished porcelain tile surface to remain level while allowing water to pass to a drainage plane below.
Unlike traditional bonded tile assemblies, which rely on the finished surface to manage drainage, the NXT Pedestal System elevates porcelain pavers above a sloped, waterproofed substrate. Supported by adjustable pedestals capable of bearing up to 2,000 pounds each, the system allows water to pass through the open joints and drain beneath the finished surface to designated drainage points. By separating the walking surface from the drainage plane, the system provides effective water management while protecting the finished tile surface from standing water.
This approach eliminated the need for visible drainage gutters or perceptible elevation changes, creating a continuous, level surface that allows guests to move seamlessly between the outdoor kitchen, dining area, and fireplace seating.
The adjustable design of the NXT Pedestal System also simplified installation by allowing precise height adjustments with minimal components and accessories. The NXT Pedestal Max served as the primary support solution, giving installers a wide range of options.
“The NXT Pedestal Max starts at 1-3/4” and is fully adjustable with a simple screw mechanism up to 5-3/4”, eliminating the need to stack multiple pieces to achieve small height changes,” said Scotland Riley, Product Manager at LATICRETE. “For anything above this, we offer a stackable 4” extension, which is a big help for installers. Before we brought this system to market, installers had to use multiple pedestal sizes. With the NXT Pedestal System, we’ve simplified installation to where three core components will cover installations from 3/4” up to over 40”.”
For areas with lower elevations, the NXT Pedestal Mini was used. With an adjustable range of 3/4” up to 1-3/4”, installers were able to maintain a flat, level surface while seamlessly covering elevation changes in the substrate.
As the pavers were laid in a stunning diamond pattern, the team had to find a solution for the complex angles where the pavers meet the borders. For this, the NXT Pedestal Multiplate was used to provide a stable base and consistent joint lines. Compatible with both the Mini and Max pedestals, the Multiplate solves a wide range of installation problems, including live edge, stairs, and more. Once all the tiles were installed, NXT Pedestal Rubber Shims were added to correct any imperfections in the tiles, achieving the precise leveling, support, and flexibility needed for the finished installation.
Beyond addressing the immediate design challenge, the system eliminates the need for mortar beds and grouted joints, helping reduce the potential for efflorescence while easing the burden for future maintenance. In addition, individual pavers can be removed to provide access to drainage or utilities beneath the terrace without disrupting the surrounding installation.
“Traditional pitched terraces make large-scale outdoor living elements, like this one, incredibly tough to design,” said Austin Wrench, President at Augusta Homes. “By utilizing the NXT Pedestal System, we kept our modern terrace lines completely flat, concealed the drainage beneath the surface, and created a perfectly level entertaining space where multiple seating areas intersect beautifully.”
An innovative solution for an outdoor oasis
The completed terrace at this Peninsula Cove home demonstrates how innovative installation systems can help overcome complex outdoor design challenges. By incorporating the LATICRETE NXT Pedestal System, the project team achieved the clean, level aesthetic the homeowner envisioned while simplifying the installation—saving time and money in the process. The result is an expansive porcelain-tiled terrace that unifies the outdoor kitchen, fireplace, and gathering areas into a cohesive waterfront experience.
Completed in the summer of 2026, this outdoor oasis now serves as a signature feature of the residence. It transformed the exterior environment into a dedicated extension of the home, tailor-made for entertaining and relaxation.
Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.
