Table of contents
- tiles
- natural stones
- natural stone carpet
- wooden floorboards
- Wooden tiles with click system
- bamboo floorboards
- WPC planks
- liquid plastic
- Rubber granulate plates
- artificial grass
- washed concrete slabs
- aluminum plates
- frequently asked Questions
Floor coverings that are to be laid on the balcony must above all be weatherproof. Because rain, frost and UV light will be his constant companions. But quality, costs and the cleaning effort that will later be necessary should also be considered, and of course its beauty!
tiles
Tile coverings are the absolute classic, at least in the kitchen and bathroom. The ones made of stoneware are also for the balcony Tiles an alternative, which, however, has to be implemented correctly so that it is really weatherproof.
Advantages:
- very large selection of colours, structures, patterns and sizes
- smooth surface can be cleaned quickly and easily
- clear, modern look
- durable
Disadvantages:
If floor tiles are laid with mortar or adhesive, these two auxiliary materials are a major weak point. Fine cracks form due to the weather, into which rainwater or running water penetrates. Adding frost to this will amplify the effect as freezing water expands. Even after professionally correct laying, sooner or later the covering will become brittle, brittle and flake off. Lay the tiles better on pedestals and pay attention to a gradient of at least. 2%, so that water can drain off quickly and completely.
Tip:
Do you like to be barefoot on the balcony in summer? Then tiles are not such a good idea, at least on a sunny balcony. Even if balcony tiles are still pleasantly cool in the morning, they heat up very quickly in the blazing sun.
natural stones
Natural stones are widely considered to be the most natural and beautiful covering for a balcony. But the durable covering is also one of the most expensive. The investment is therefore worthwhile if it is a home of your own, less so for rented objects.
Advantages:
- each natural stone is unique
- ideal for a Mediterranean flair
- Various natural colors available
Disadvantages:
- limited choice of colors (vs. tiles)
- must be laid on pedestals (otherwise frost damage)
- have high weight
- Stains are difficult to remove impregnate)
Tip:
Not every balcony can carry the same amount of weight. So before you rush to lay natural stones, you should first calculate their weight per square meter and with match the load capacity of the balcony.
natural stone carpet
For the natural stone carpet, gravel, often marble gravel, and a UV-resistant binder are mixed into a mass and spread evenly on the balcony floor.
Advantages:
- is easy to apply, like screed
- seamless balcony covering
- offers stone look
Disadvantages:
- good polyurethane-based binders are expensive
- cheap epoxy resin (binder) yellows over time (not UV-resistant)
- because stone carpet is not waterproof
- Before laying, the subsurface must be sealed (frost protection)
Tip:
Laying a natural stone carpet requires a lot of professional skill and should better be left to professionals.
wooden floorboards
Wood is a widely available and sometimes cheapest material, from which attractive floorboards for the balcony can also be made. Considered durable Douglas fir floorboards and larch, as well as tropical wood (sustainably managed). In contrast, pine and spruce rot quickly and should be avoided for outdoor use.
Advantages:
- natural material
- renewable resource
- radiates a homely atmosphere
- fits all styles/balcony furniture
Disadvantages:
- processing must be correct
- must not be laid directly on the subfloor
- 2% slope and joints are essential
- Need care several times a year (alternatively let it gray)
- may splinter, risk of injury
- Wood “works”, gaps can form
- Bulging when laid too narrow and damp
Wooden tiles with click system
Wooden tiles with a click system are another way to lay out a balcony floor with wood. They offer all the advantages of wooden floorboards, but can be easier to lay.
They are therefore ideal for all balcony owners who have little manual experience but want or have to lay the balcony covering themselves. The disadvantage vs. wooden floorboards is that the standardized wooden tiles with a click system are difficult to cut to size in the event that they do not cover the balcony size precisely.
bamboo floorboards
The fast-growing bamboo is said to have many properties that wood from trees also has. It is therefore often used as a sustainable substitute for wood. Bamboo floorboards are also an inexpensive alternative to hard tropical wood floorboards.
Advantages:
- 100% wood look
- sustainable, environmentally friendly
- dimensionally stable
- high degree of hardness
- doesn't fade that much
Disadvantages:
- there are no long-term experiences
- long transport route
- not a purely natural product
- time-consuming laying
WPC planks
WPC is the abbreviation for "Wood Plastic Composite". The pressed floorboards consist of about 70-80% wood chips, the rest is plastic. The material should combine the best properties of wood and plastic.
Advantages:
- low maintenance
- moisture resistant
- do not need to be impregnated
- no risk of cracks and splinters
Disadvantages:
- differs significantly in appearance from real wood
- large expansion and contraction behavior
- comparatively expensive
- less sustainable
liquid plastic
Plastic is not a natural material, but offers cheap solutions for it. Among other things, it can be applied in liquid form to the balcony floor, where it then hardens.
Advantages:
- cheap
- different colors and patterns available
- seals at the same time
- weighs very little / does not affect the statics
- is easy to apply
- hardly raises the ground level
- can be made non-slip by interspersing it
Disadvantages:
- not sustainable
- the substrate must be prepared for better adhesion
- looks "cheaper" than other documents
- not UV resistant
- apply several times
Rubber granulate plates
Rubber granulate slabs may not be to everyone's taste, but otherwise they offer everything that a balcony covering needs. You can also hide old, unsightly balcony slips underneath.
Advantages:
- inexpensive
- easy to relocate
- frostproof
- soft, good walking feeling
- suitable as a children's play area
Disadvantages:
- not environmentally friendly
- not very visually appealing
artificial grass
In the past, artificial turf was not a favorite covering for a balcony, because it looked rather "cheap". Nowadays it also comes in high quality that feels almost like real weed. Of course, the price has gone up accordingly.
Advantages:
- can be laid quickly and easily
- easy-care
- lasts a few years
Disadvantages:
- dries slowly after rain
- if installed incorrectly, there is a risk of mold
- unnatural material
- not environmentally friendly
- good quality is expensive
washed concrete slabs
Washed concrete slabs are increasingly in demand again. They offer a natural stone look and can be completely dismantled if necessary.
Advantages:
- easy-care
- cheap
- different sizes, colors and structures available
- self-manufacture is also possible
Disadvantages:
- high weight
- must be laid on a bed of sand or on adjustable pedestals
aluminum plates
Plates made of durable aluminum are also offered as balcony coverings. They look extremely modern.
Advantages:
- light
- water repellent
- easy cleaning
- can be installed without prior knowledge
Disadvantage:
- can heat up quickly when exposed to the sun
frequently asked Questions
Even if these substances are frost-proof on their own, they should not be used for laying tiles on the balcony. Because the finished balcony covering then consists of several substances that show different expansion behavior in cold and heat, which inevitably leads to cracks.
Thermowood, also known as TMT for short, is wood, mostly beech and ash, that has been heat treated without chemical additives. After the treatment, the wood can no longer absorb as much moisture and becomes more resistant to wood-decomposing fungal attack. It also becomes harder and more dimensionally stable. The price for these benefits is increased brittleness under heavy loads.
Even if WPC planks keep their appearance for a long time, they are not completely weatherproof either. This is also due to the plastic content, which is not resistant to UV light and is gradually decomposed by sunlight. This gradual weathering is reflected in the fact that the floor covering is becoming increasingly dull.
Maike
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