Balcony Flooring - 4 Interesting Ideas for Outdoor Flooring
Do you want your balcony floor not only to look good but also be resistant to various weather conditions? Make sure that such an investement is reasonable and lasts for several seasons. Perhaps you are wondering what is an easy-to-clean balcony flooring? Or you like the idea of planks as outdoor flooring but are not sure if it's the right choice? We suggest the best and cheapest materials to make your balcony look stunning. We propose several interesting balcony flooring ideas. Check them out, get inspired and create an intriguing arrangement on your balcony.
Wooden balcony flooring - a classic solution
Many homeowners pick wood as the material for outdoor flooring. Thanks to it, one can achieve an atmosphere of coziness, especially if the space is large. What’s more, wooden planks are nice to the touch, and they don’t overheat even on very sunny days.
A wooden balcony floor is perfect if you are planning to design a balcony garden. Surrounded by plants, you can rest, enjoying their looks and beautiful smell.
If you’re wondering about the best material for wooden outdoor flooring, exotic species are the best choice. They are highly durable and resistant to different weather conditions. Here’s the list of the most popular types:
- Ipe (Lapacho)
- Cumaru
- Garapa
- Kempas
- Merbau
- Tatajuba
- Bangkirai
By picking the mentioned wood types, you can expect a really good durability. In comparison with local wood species, they are even twice as resistant. Keep in mind though, that the cost is also greater. But considering that such a balcony floor will last at least several seasons - it’s a very economic investment.
Wooden balcony flooring has many advantages. Remember, though, that it also needs special care. Clean it thoroughly at least once a year and proof it using a special product. Don’t try to save money on it - the better the product, the better the results. This way, your balcony flooring becomes much more durable. Thanks to this, it will serve you for a long time.
Composite outdoor flooring - a highly durable balcony floor
If you like the looks of wooden balcony flooring but are concerned about its durability, you can decide on a perfect alternative - composite planks. Those elements are made by combining wood flour and plastic materials (polyvinyl chloride is the most popular option). Such outdoor flooring is indistinguishable from wood and far more durable.
Unlike wooden planks, those made of composite material don’t have to be preserved, which will spare you a lot of time. Furthermore, humidity is not an issue, in this case. It’s a fairly popular choice among people with small children, as toddlers might drop some fruit beverages on the balcony floor, leaving a mark on wooden planks. It’s not possible on composite material - all you need in case of an accident is a damp cloth to wipe the surface.
Are you wondering whether you will be able to install composite balcony flooring? Manufacturers offer special systems with all the necessary elements and a manual. With some patience and time, you will install the outdoor flooring without an issue.
Composite planks have yet another, very important advantage. It’s the aesthetics of such solution. Such outdoor flooring is typically available in many color variants. Thanks to this, you can easily create your perfect balcony design.
So-called composite wood looks great if you use it along with artificial grass on the balcony. Such a design looks perfect with synthetic rattan furniture and e.g. a hanging chair. Keep in mind, though that it’s an option for large spaces. If you have a small balcony, some of those elements won’t fit.
Rubber or classic tiles - a cheap and interesting balcony flooring
Balcony flooring can be made of classic tiles. In this case, frost resistance is the most important factor. It’s also good if they have a special anti-slippery layer to ensure your safety. Although it was a very popular solution in the past, nowadays it is used less frequently. Instead, balcony flooring is made of elements like rubber tiles. Perhaps at first it’s not a very convincing idea, but we guarantee it - it will positively surprise you.
Rubber tiles are great not only for balconies. It’s also a common outdoor flooring used on playgrounds and sports grounds in parks. Note that it looks quite different in each of those places. Thanks to the wide choice of colors and sizes, rubber tiles create a lot of design possibilities.
Such balcony flooring made of special rubber tiles has a lot of advantages. First of all, it’s very easy to clean. Furthermore:
- it’s durable and doesn’t lose shape under a person’s or furniture’s weight,
- it cushions falls and protects against serious injuries - a perfect solution for homes with small children,
- it’s anti-slippery and nice to the touch, so you can walk barefoot on it in summer,
- it’s resistant to water, high and low temperatures and UV lighting - no risk of discolouration,
- it’s very easy to install by yourself.
Price is another distinct advantage of balcony floor covering made of rubber tiles. In this case, a lot depends on what you like. Manufacturers offer both very cheap and more expensive, but better-looking elements.
A waterproof layer - perfect balcony flooring
Waterproof layers made of polyurethane resin is becoming a very popular solution. Apart from perfect technical parameters, they also look very interesting. They are great if you’re dreaming of industrial style on your balcony.
Outdoor flooring of this type doesn’t need any preparation, which is a great advantage. The works are soo minimal that the layer can be made on an old wooden surface, ceramic tiles, as well as raw concrete - if you’ve just moved in the house or apartment.
Balcony floor with a resin layer is highly resistant to water. It’s perfect if your balcony has no roofing or the existing one is not effective and there’s a risk that a strong gust of wind during a heavy rainfall will flood the surface. By choosing a polyurethane layer, you don’t have to be concerned about high temperatures, discolouration or even fire.
Unfortunately, such a solution is not entirely flawless - high pricing might is one of the problems. If you think that it’s too expensive for you, you can always decide on a cheaper option - epoxy outdoor flooring. It’s equally resistant to water and looks really good, but it might lose color in strong sunlight. If you choose this option, it is recommended to pick bright colors.
What to put on the balcony? Summer and autumn decorations
Regardless of which outdoor flooring you pick for your balcony, make sure to take care of its arrangement. Balcony furniture is very useful in this regard. Additionally, think about various decorations for you balcony floor. You can use small carpets or rugs. They look particularly well if you’ve chosen planks. This way, a cosy balcony design gains a character and reminds of Boho style.
Decorations are particularly useful if you have chosen resin for your balcony flooring. They can break the coldness of the design and create a cozy atmosphere. You can also use some ideas for interesting lighting on the balcony. It’s a perfect complement of the design.
📍 What is the best balcony flooring?
Balcony flooring should be durable and resistant to water. Classic or rubber tiles, resin layers or composite planks are the best solutions. You can also use a wooden floor, but it needs to be proofed with a special product. Exotic wood types are better, in this case.
📍 An apartment balcony flooring - what to choose?
Apartment balcony flooring can be finished the same way as in a house. There are many materials to choose from. Composite planks, concrete or resin layers are fairly popular options. You can also pick classic tiles or high-quality exotic wood. You have to proof it for protection against weather conditions.
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