Upgrading your balcony flooring is a fantastic way to breathe new life into your outdoor space. Whether you own your home or are renting, many creative and stylish options exist. The right flooring can transform your balcony from a simple, unused area into a cosy, inviting retreat.
This guide will explore various balcony flooring options and tips on enhancing your space.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Upgrading your balcony flooring can transform it into a stylish, cosy, and functional outdoor space. Various creative and practical flooring options suit different needs, whether a homeowner or a renter. Popular choices include:
- Decking squares for easy installation and customisation.
- Fake grass for a low-maintenance, pet-friendly option.
- Painting for a bold, personalised look.
Outdoor rugs and synthetic outdoor carpets add warmth and texture, while the interlocking deck and outdoor-specific tiles offer durable and removable solutions. For a minimalist approach, concrete flooring with finishes like staining or stamping adds modern appeal.
When selecting balcony flooring, prioritise slip resistance, weight limitations, durability, and maintenance to ensure a safe and long-lasting design.
Decking Squares
Decking squares are a great option for those looking to upgrade their balcony with minimal effort. These interlocking squares are ideal for a quick, easy installation without needing tools or professional help.
They are also perfect for renters as they can be removed and taken to a new location without causing damage to the original floor.
Benefits Of Decking Squares:
- Easy to Install: No need for tools or glue, as the squares snap together effortlessly.
- Durability: The decking is slightly raised from the floor, allowing for ventilation and preventing moisture damage.
- Customisation: Decking squares come in various materials and finishes, allowing you to cover as much or as little of your balcony as you like.
By opting for decking, you can instantly transform your balcony from a simple outdoor extension into a cosy space to unwind and relax. The raised design also ensures that the balcony’s original surface remains intact, something landlords will appreciate.
Fake Grass For Balcony Flooring
Adding fake grass to your balcony is a great way to bring some greenery into your living space, particularly if you live in an apartment without access to a garden. Fake grass is soft, easy to maintain, and pet-friendly, making it an appealing option for pet owners.
Why Choose Fake Grass:
- Pet-Friendly: Ideal for dogs as it gives them a place to relax or play. Just make sure not to allow your dog to use the grass as a toilet.
- Low Maintenance: Fake grass is easy to clean and doesn’t need mowing or watering.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds a vibrant, lush look to the balcony without the hassle of maintaining real grass.
While fake grass may seem like an odd choice for a balcony, it is quite popular due to its easy upkeep and aesthetic appeal. Proper installation is crucial to avoid water build-up, which could damage the floor underneath or attract mould.
Ensure the grass is installed correctly, especially if your balcony has a concrete floor, to prevent future issues.
Painting Your Balcony Floor
If your building allows it, painting your balcony floor is one of the most straightforward ways to give it a fresh look. This option is highly customisable as you can choose any colour or even opt for paints that mimic natural materials like stone or wood.
What To Keep In Mind When Painting:
- Outdoor-Specific Paint: Always choose paint designed for outdoor use, which is more durable and resistant to the elements.
- Surface Suitability: Ensure the paint you choose is compatible with the material of your balcony floor, such as concrete or wood.
Painting your balcony floor is an excellent way to create a unique and personalised look. However, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely and to be cautious about ventilation when using paint outdoors.
Outdoor Rugs For Style
Outdoor rugs are a great option to add warmth and texture to your balcony without committing to a permanent flooring change. They are perfect for creating a cosy, inviting atmosphere and come in various patterns and colours to suit your style.
Things To Consider With Outdoor Rugs:
- Water Damage Prevention: Make sure the rug is waterproof or resistant to moisture. Water trapped under the rug can damage the balcony floor, especially if it’s concrete.
- Use an Underlay: An underlayment will prevent moisture build-up and protect the rug and the floor beneath it.
- Protection from the Elements: Outdoor rugs should ideally be placed in sheltered areas to prevent weather-related damage.
Outdoor rugs can be attractive on any balcony, especially if you have seating areas or plants. However, be cautious about the material and ensure the rug is suitable for outdoor use, as an inappropriate choice could lead to issues like mould, odours, or floor damage.
Interlocking Deck Tiles
Interlocking deck tiles are among the most practical flooring options for balconies. They come in a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and stone, and can easily be clipped together without the need for nails or glue.
Benefits Of Interlocking Deck Tiles:
- Ease of Installation: No need for professional help. The tiles lock together.
- Removable: Great for renters as the tiles can be removed without damaging the floor.
- Variety of Materials: Available in wood, plastic, stone, and other composite materials, allowing for customisation to suit your style.
Interlocking tiles are a practical and attractive choice for balcony flooring. They are suitable for concrete or wooden balconies, but avoid using them on stairs or areas without railings, as they don’t adhere to the floor.
Synthetic Outdoor Carpet
If you love the look and feel of carpet but worry about the outdoor setting, synthetic outdoor carpeting is a great alternative. It provides the cosy appeal of indoor carpet but is designed to withstand the elements.
Key Points For Synthetic Outdoor Carpet:
- Variety of designs: Available in a range of colours and patterns.
- Water-resistant: Designed to handle moisture better than regular carpets.
- Installation: Some products can be installed without glue, while others require adhesive.
Treating concrete balconies professionally before installing outdoor carpeting is recommended, as this helps prevent long-term damage.
Outdoor-Specific Tile
Outdoor tile is another great option for balcony flooring, offering durability and style. Depending on your aesthetic preferences, you can choose from various materials, such as porcelain, slate, or stone.
Benefits Of Outdoor Tiles:
- Variety: Available in different colours, textures, and styles.
- Durable: Tiles are long-lasting and can handle exposure to outdoor elements.
- Easy to clean: Tiles are easy to maintain and keep clean.
Ensure proper drainage on your balcony prevents water from pooling and damaging the surface beneath the tiles.
Concrete Flooring
If your balcony floor is concrete, you may not need to cover it. Modern concrete finishes can be stylish and visually appealing, giving you an industrial or minimalist look.
Options For Concrete Flooring:
- Staining: Add colour to the concrete using concrete stains for a polished finish.
- Stencilling: Create patterns and designs on your concrete floor for a unique touch.
- Stamping and engraving: These techniques add texture to the surface, mimicking natural stone or other materials.
Before installing heavy concrete finishes on a wooden balcony, it’s essential to consult a structural expert to ensure the balcony can handle the added weight.
Considerations For Balcony Flooring
Safety should always come first, no matter what type of flooring you choose. Here are some essential factors to consider when selecting your balcony flooring:
- Slip resistance: Ensure the flooring is safe, especially in wet conditions. Textured tiles are a good option for added grip.
- Weight: Heavy flooring materials like concrete or tile can affect the balcony’s structural integrity. Always check with a structural engineer before installation.
- Durability: Opt for materials that can withstand the outdoor environment, including exposure to sun, rain, and fluctuating temperatures.
- Maintenance: Choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain, especially in outdoor settings where dirt and debris can accumulate.
By taking these factors into account, you’ll create a balcony space that’s both functional and beautiful.
Conclusion
Enhancing your balcony with the right flooring can completely transform the space, making it more enjoyable to relax or entertain. Whether you opt for decking, tiles, fake grass, or another flooring solution, there’s a variety of stylish and practical options to suit every need.
Just consider safety, maintenance, and durability when making your final decision. Your balcony can become a beautiful extension of your living space with the right choice.
FAQs About Balcony Repair
How Do You Reseal a Balcony?
Sealing the edges and the perimeter of the balcony can be done with a paint brush. Be sure to cover all of the concrete that can be seen, as well as the spaces between the posts of the bannister and the railings. Apply the sealer to the remaining portion of the balcony with a paint roller, moving carefully so as not to paint yourself off the balcony and into the house as you go.
What Flooring Can I Put on a Balcony?
The ideal floor covering for a balcony is tile that is designed for use in outdoor environments. Choose from a wide variety of stone products, such as traditional porcelain or slate, each of which comes in a variety of colours and finishes. On a balcony made of concrete, you can instal these tiles directly on the surface, but on a balcony made of wood, you will need to first instal an underlayment made of cement board.
How Much Does It Cost to Waterproof a Balcony?
It usually costs between $4.00 and $6.00 per square foot to waterproof a balcony, walkway, or terrace, and the surface needs to be coated once every five years. The life of the same day wearing surface coating is ten years, and the cost is seven dollars to nine dollars per square foot.
What Is Balcony Membrane?
A deck membrane, also known as a balcony membrane, is a watertight layer that can be installed on a balcony or deck to protect the underlying structure from water infiltration. It is possible for the membrane to be left uncovered, in which case it would serve as the actual walking surface, or it could be covered with pavers made of precast concrete, wood planking, or a concrete topping.
How Do You Weatherproof a Balcony for an Apartment?
Clear plastic drapes, tarps, or curtains can be used to enclose the area, thereby keeping the elements out and the heat in, and patio heaters can be used to warm things up. If you live in an area that gets very cold and regularly sees snow, you can go all out to winterise the space by using clear plastic drapes, tarps, or curtains to enclose the area.
