Renovating Your Balcony

A well-designed balcony will bring plenty of natural light and fresh air into your property, helping improve the quality of life of the residents.

To get the most out of your balcony space, you must keep on reinventing it. When working on a renovation project, do not forget to show some love to your balcony. Renovating your balcony space can bring more personality to your home. A renovated balcony will not only enhance your property’s curb appeal but can also improve its functionality, making you and other residents fall in love with it all over again.

Renovating your balcony is a major home improvement decision. Before working on the project, while making sure you have a desired outcome in mind. It is also vital to choose the most suitable flooring to put on your balcony. If you are indecisive on designing the perfect balcony for your home, or the different options of flooring that you can choose from, you can always contact our friendly Muflooring Team. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of some of the most popular balcony flooring materials.

The Best Flooring Options for Balconies

Wood Plastic Composite

Wood-plastic composite or WPC utilises composite materials that are a combination of thermoplastics and recycled wood fibers. WPC was introduced in the early 1990s. Though it has been around for a relatively short time, WPC has become the preferred choice of both homeowners and contractors around the world. It provides several benefits over traditional materials. Over the years, WPC decking has emerged as one of the best and sustainable alternatives to natural wood decking and solid wood decking. Wood-plastic composites are made of wood fiber/wood flour and thermoplastics. WPCs also contain lignocellulosic materials. They may/may not contain inorganic filler materials.

Chemical additives used for integrating polymer and wood flour in WPC are not easily visible. In some cases, mineral pigments and fillers pigments are added. Some major benefits of having WPC decking on balconies are :

Superior Durability

The plastic containment of WPC enhances its durability. It is highly resistant to the elements that have a negative impact on the usability and longevity of wood decking.  WPC decking is famed for its superior resistance to scratching, staining, and fading. WPC decking even offers better protection against mould. It does not corrode and rot easily.

Better Workability

WPC decking has better workability than many conventional options. They are available in a range of design and colour options. Further, WPC provides a natural look and feel. It can be easily moulded to resemble wood timber decks with real looking grains.

Sustainability

WPC decking utilizes sustainable materials such as recycled plastics and waste products. Additionally, exhaust scrubbing is performed during the manufacturing process. This helps lower the adverse impact on the environment.

Low Maintenance

WPC deckings are easy to clean. You don’t have to sand, paint, or stain your WPC decking. All you need to do to maintain the functionality of your WPC decking is clean it occasionally using a mixture of soap and water. To ensure stubborn stains do not drag down the aesthetic appeal of your balcony, remember to thoroughly wash your WPC decking during summer. Read more about tips and tricks to maintain your WPC Flooring.

Enhanced Safety

WPC does not splinter or crack easily. You can continue using your WPC decking for years (even decades) without worrying about its structural integrity. WPC deckings provide a major advantage over timber decks that develop cracks easily.

Cost Effectiveness

Though you will have to pay more to get a WPC decking installed as compared to a decking that uses traditional material, there are substantial long term benefits of using WPC decking. You will spend less on maintenance. Additionally, WPC decking lasts longer than its traditional timber alternatives, which means you will be spending less on overhauls and replacements. You can read more about maintenance of wood flooring here.

Some Other Options to Consider

Tile Flooring

Tiles are the best option for homeowners who prefer going with the flow. Typically, homeowners should look for tiles that are suitable for outdoor use. Here are some types of tiles that you can use for outdoor.  Opt for stone products such as porcelain and slate. Be careful when choosing the colour and finish. Make sure it visually blends with your home’s floor. If you have a concrete balcony, install tiles over them. Wood balconies will require a cement board underlayment before the tiles are installed. Ensuring proper slope will help prevent damage to the underlying surface.

Concrete Flooring

Gone are the days when concrete flooring was available in just basic shades of grey. Modern concrete floorings offer a range of options. While many concrete floors can be painted or stained, others can be stencilled to incorporate different designs. Many homeowners who do not want to opt for a separate floor covering choose to get their concrete flooring etched and engraved. If you have a wood balcony, you can have it covered with finished concrete. To ensure everything goes according to the plan, consult a structural engineer before proceeding with the project.

Interlock Deck Tiles

Interlocking deck tiles are manufactured by attaching stone, plastic, wood, or a composite surface to a composite base. Special clips are used for this purpose. Because adhesives or fasteners are not used, installing interlocking deck tiles is much simpler and faster than many other options. Additionally, you can take these tiles with you when you move out. A major advantage of interlocking deck tiles is that they can be installed over virtually any type of base, which makes them an ideal option for both wood and concrete balconies. A word of caution- interlinking tiles don’t connect to the floor and should be used with safety rails. Interlocking deck tiles are offered in a wide range of finishes. Prices vary depending on the type of materials used.

Tips to Maintain Your Outdoor Decking

WPC Decking

WPC decking is the preferred choice of homeowners who need a low maintenance flooring option. You don’t have to do anything special to maintain your WPC decking. Something as simple as hosing it regularly will help get rid of accumulated dirt particles. After hosing the surface, examine it carefully ensuring that no leaves or litter is left behind as it may result in the formation of mould or mildew.

Clean stains immediately using a clean cloth and warm water. WPC decking is made of a composite mixture of wood and plastic contents, which makes it harder to remove old stains. The more time you waste, the harder it gets to get rid of the stain. Opting for high-quality WPC decking materials will help steer clear of problems that arise due to bending and warping.

Natural Wood Decking

To get the most out of your natural wood decking,  and maintain its shine, apply decking oil at least once every six months. Clean your decking regularly using warm water and recommended deck cleaning products.

Contact our friendly Muflooring Team for a chat to find out more!