Choosing the Best Flooring for Your Balcony
Those of us who are fortunate enough to have a balcony as part of our home tend to love it, and who can blame us? This platform projecting from a building represents the ideal spot from which to sip one’s favourite beverage, contemplate life, and simply watch the world go by.
However, there is a certain aspect of this part of an abode that can be easily overlooked; the balcony flooring. Whatever flooring you have on your own balcony, it needs to look good, in addition to being practical and safe. After all, your balcony flooring – whatever form it takes – will serve as a crucial transitional surface between the inside and outside of your home.
So, if you are looking to give this area of your property some much-needed love, let’s first answer one of the most crucial questions: what is the best flooring for a balcony?
Factors to Consider When Selecting Balcony Flooring
When you are attempting to decide on the balcony flooring that best suits your property, it is a good idea to think about the following factors:
- Your personal preferences: the fact that you are reading this article indicates you probably already have certain ideas in terms of, for example, what you want your balcony flooring to look like, or how much you wish to spend on the flooring.
- Environmental factors: it might seem like overly obvious advice for us to suggest you will want to invest in waterproof balcony flooring. But of course, you will also want your chosen flooring to be able to stand up to sun exposure, hail, snow, and other outdoor elements.
- Your budget: ultimately, you are advised to choose the best-quality balcony flooring that your budget allows. This is better than compromising on quality to the extent of the flooring needing to be replaced a relatively short time after installation.
- Installation and maintenance requirements: some forms of balcony flooring are easier to install than others. Once fitted, routine maintenance will also be needed. It might be a fairly straightforward process to clean your balcony flooring, or special treatments may be needed.
Top Flooring Options for Balconies
Here are a few popular forms of balcony flooring that you might consider:
- Concrete: hard, durable, and able to stand up to any weather, concrete flooring can be an excellent choice for high-traffic balconies. However, concrete’s tensile strength isn’t overly impressive given its heavy weight.
- Wood: the earthy, “natural” look of wood has long made it a favourite balcony flooring It is relatively easy to install and maintain, but it does need to be refinished from time to time.
- Artificial grass: if you like the idea of adding greenery to your balcony flooring without having to water or mow it like an actual plant, the installation of artificial grass could make a lot of sense. You should bear in mind, though, the potential for odour to build up over time.
Creating a Cohesive Look with Your Balcony Flooring
As we touched on earlier, balcony flooring has a somewhat unique status compared to the other forms of flooring throughout an abode, given that it is neither entirely indoor nor fully outdoor flooring. Instead, it needs to have a visual and functional relationship with both the interior and exterior facets of a home.
So, this is something you will have to bear in mind as you seek to make a balcony flooring choice that aligns well aesthetically with your broader property.
Installing Balcony Flooring
By requesting the assistance of professionals with a high level of expertise and experience in the balcony flooring installation process, you can help ensure a pleasing-looking finish that also delivers safety and longevity.
To learn how our experts at The Flooring Group can provide such superb results when we install the flooring for your balcony, please contact us today.
Maintaining Your Balcony Flooring
Follow these maintenance tips to prolong the appearance and lifespan of the flooring materials that make up your home’s balcony:
- Regularly sweep and vacuum your balcony to remove dirt and debris
- Clean the balcony more frequently during wetter times of year to combat the risks of lingering moisture and mould growth
- Clean stains as soon as possible, otherwise they could become difficult to remove
- Apply a sealant to waterproof your balcony, ensuring you have selected the right product for your balcony’s structure and materials
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Balcony
Taking care in the process of deciding on your balcony flooring material will greatly help transform this part of your property into a beautiful space. This, in turn, will be key to enhancing your enjoyment of the inside and outside of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of flooring is best for a balcony?
A: There are many potentially attractive and suitable options for balcony flooring material, such as wood, concrete, artificial grass, and ceramic tiles. The right choice for your abode will depend on such factors as your visual preferences, practical needs, and budget.
Q: What is the best floor finish for a balcony?
A: Again, there is no single “catch-all” answer to this question. However, by thinking about such aspects as safety, durability, and maintenance, you can be as confident as possible in reaching a decision about your own home’s balcony flooring.
Q: What is the best material for a balcony cover?
A: Various materials have been used for balcony covers over the years, encompassing such possibilities as acrylic, polycarbonate, glass, aluminium, steel, and fabric. These materials have their respective pros and cons, so you will need to carefully contemplate your particular circumstances and needs.
Q: Is vinyl flooring good for a balcony?
A: Vinyl flooring offers both advantages and disadvantages as a balcony flooring material. While it is available in many different colours and designs and is water and scratch-resistant, it is susceptible to high temperatures, and it can warp and crack due to thermal expansion.
Ultimately, if you do decide in favour of installing vinyl flooring on your balcony, it is advisable to choose a type that has been specifically made for outdoor use.
To find out more about the balcony flooring solutions we can provide to your household, please contact The Flooring Group today.