Choosing the best flooring option for your balcony or loggia

Open-type balconies, not equipped with a roof or canopy, are subject to all types of atmospheric influences, therefore, appropriate requirements are put forward for the finishing materials used here. One of the main problems that arise when arranging open terraces is the selection of a suitable finishing coating for the balcony floor. Indeed, in addition to durability and weather resistance, the aesthetic load placed on the material underfoot plays an important role. What kind of flooring is used to decorate the floors of open spaces will be discussed in the article.

Open balconies

An open, unglazed balcony is constantly “at the mercy of the elements”: sudden temperature changes, precipitation, direct sunlight - all this significantly tests the strength of the structure. So the floor covering must be resistant to climatic and temperature influences, safe from a fire point of view, and easy to care for.

These criteria include porcelain tiles, rubber and ceramic tiles, as well as PVC panels. Another suitable material that has recently appeared on the market is frost-resistant linoleum - pay attention to it.

Peculiarities

The second name for garden parquet is “decking” or deck flooring. This name originally appeared abroad and meant materials that could withstand very harsh conditions, similar to those found on the decks of ships. The parts created, even from real wood, fully justify their name - they perfectly withstand the most difficult conditions of use and will not lose their attractiveness because of this. If we talk about composite or plastic parts, then such impacts cannot harm them at all.

The form of production immediately became tiles of different sizes - from square, with a side of thirty centimeters, to rectangular with a length of ninety and a width of the same thirty centimeters. On the bottom side, all parts of this type have a wooden or plastic base, on which side fasteners are located to connect the parts to each other. This will allow you to assemble the surface of the required area in just a few minutes and get a beautiful, durable coating.

Balcony operating conditions

The choice of coating is also determined by what the balcony is planned to be used for. So, if you want to arrange a work office, a guest room or a recreation area there, then the material must be resistant to wear and stress, safe for health, and easy to clean from dirt.

If you plan to use the room as a greenhouse, then you should think about protection from moisture, because when watering some “leaks” are inevitable. In addition, soil will constantly fall on the floor - which means the material should not get too dirty. And slide too, because it’s easy to slip on a slippery surface that’s also flooded with water.

If the main purpose of the room is to store things, then you can get by with the simplest option that is resistant to intense loads - linoleum or tiles. Using something too expensive, ornate and decorative is simply not practical.

Porcelain tiles

Thanks to the rich texture of porcelain stoneware, a surface is created that imitates natural stone, wood and even leather.
This finishing material is increasingly becoming the choice of consumers when they want to uniquely design their interior. Thanks to the rich texture of porcelain stoneware, a surface is created that imitates natural stone, wood and even leather. In addition, the material is ideal for making a reliable, durable floor surface on open balconies or other similar premises. Porcelain tiles easily withstand the effects of moisture and temperature changes and do not fade in the sun. The disadvantage is the relative complexity of installation, which in most cases is trusted to professional craftsmen.

Arranging the floor on a cold loggia or balcony

Important! Specialized adhesive mixtures are used for laying porcelain stoneware. Glue intended for laying tiles will not work for this material.

Tile

Tiles are the simplest, most convenient and popular flooring for balconies and loggias. It has several main advantages:

• Long service life. Even in “harsh” conditions, tiles can last a very, very long time.
• Moisture resistant. This is especially important for open, non-glazed structures.
• Easy to care for. To clean the tile, just wipe it with a damp cloth; it does not collect dust and dirt.
• Wide selection of colors and patterns. Tiles can be selected to suit any interior style and design.

Preliminary work

Regardless of what exactly the floor surface will be decorated with, it needs to be leveled. Bulk is the fastest and easiest option.

To do this you need:

1. Cover the surface with primer. After drying, it is recommended to clean the surface with a vacuum cleaner.
2. We make the mixture strictly according to the instructions. To obtain a homogeneous mass, you need to use a drill with a whisk attachment.
3. You need to pour the mixture from the far corner in the direction of the exit. While working, level the surface using a spatula with a smooth edge.
4. To remove air from the mixture, go over the surface with a needle roller.
5. It will be possible to walk on the surface in 5 hours. Then, once the liquid has completely dried, it is important to use the finished mixture no later than half an hour after mixing.

Installing the frame allows you to raise the covering to a level sufficient for laying thermal insulation

Linoleum

The main advantage of linoleum is its resistance to bad weather and sudden temperature changes. But there are other advantages:

• Health safety. The material is non-toxic, so it can be safely used for interior decoration.
• A variety of patterns, textures and shades.
• Convenience and ease of care - it’s easy to clean linoleum from dirt.

That is why linoleum is chosen as flooring for the balcony. In addition, it is very easy to lay it, and you can save on the services of invited specialists. And linoleum looks very cozy, warm and homely. In addition, a wide selection of colors allows you to “tailor” the appearance of linoleum to other, more expensive materials - wood, tiles, marble, etc.

In addition, there is frost-resistant linoleum, which can be laid, including on open balconies, due to its increased resistance to moisture and sudden temperature changes.

Tile

Ceramic tiles are great for balcony floors
Ceramic tiles are great for the stated purposes. However, you need to remember that tiles come in different varieties. For floors in open areas, you only need tiles that are intended for installation outside. Conventional interior tiles may not withstand temperature and mechanical stress. In addition, tiles that can be used to decorate the floor outside are usually equipped with an anti-slip surface.

Before laying the tiles, it is necessary to prepare the surface, that is, make a screed. With an average thickness of the leveling layer (4-5 cm), it is better to use a cement-sand mortar; with a small thickness, it is better to use ready-made polymer-cement mixtures (levelers). The permissible curvature of the base for the tiles should not exceed 2 mm per linear meter. To prevent moisture from collecting on the floor after precipitation, it is advisable to slope it towards the outside of the balcony. The height difference is within 1-1.5 cm per meter of surface.

In addition to tiles, you should make the right choice of related materials, such as:

• primer;
• tile adhesive;
• joint grout.

The listed materials are also needed from those intended for outdoor use, capable of withstanding sudden temperature fluctuations.

Garden parquet

Parquet is a material that you would hardly expect to see on the floor of a balcony or loggia, because wood is not very resistant to moisture and other troubles. However, the building materials market has already learned how to deal with this: special impregnation and heat treatment made it possible to create so-called decking boards.

They cost, of course, a little more than regular parquet, but they have much better characteristics. Special technology allows them to increase frost resistance, resistance to stress and wear.

Garden parquet - this is the name the designers gave to decking. For better thermal insulation, it is laid on a special plywood backing or wood sheathing. Excellent thermal insulation is one of the best qualities of decking, and this is at a very reasonable price.

Stages of work on repair, restoration, finishing of the balcony/loggia floor

• The master goes to the site to take measurements, select materials for finishing, and consult with the client.
• We agree on the price, terms and convenient time for carrying out repair work.
• We are dismantling the old covering. We use a modern instrument that generates minimal noise.
• We perform screeding, pouring, and laying a layer of floor insulation.
• We connect the heated floor to the wiring and install its elements (wires, mats).
• Apply a finishing layer of coating.
• We hand over the work and provide a 2-year guarantee on the results.

You can find out the preliminary cost of the work by phone or by inviting a surveyor to draw up a free work plan, estimate for materials and consult on the provision of services.

PVC tiles

Another modern material that is perfect as a floor covering for loggias and balconies is polyvinyl chloride tiles. True, it is only suitable for closed balconies. This is a practical, lightweight, easy-to-care, moisture-resistant material. In addition, this is an ideal option from the point of view of environmental friendliness and fire safety.

It is impossible not to mention the aesthetic side of the issue: thanks to the huge assortment of patterns, you can create a unique design and pattern on your balcony. Plain and patterned, with imitation wood and marble - there is plenty to choose from. And a little more about practicality: such tiles will not slip. This means that the chances of slipping and falling are minimal.

As for installation, everything is very simple: the self-adhesive bottom side allows you to do without even using mastic or glue. Polyvinyl chloride tiles will easily lie on any clean and even base and will serve for a very, very long time. Minimum effort and maximum result - that’s what PVC tiles provide.

There is only one thing - plastic tiles do not react too well to temperature changes. So it is highly undesirable to place it on an open balcony or in a room with cold glazing.

How to cover the floor on the balcony

How to cover the floor on a balcony, veranda or terrace - this question will certainly arise before the owner of a country house who has decided to repair or build these useful extensions.

How to cover the floor on the balcony

A balcony, terrace, veranda are light, glazed or open spaces that are usually attached to a building. As a rule, this is an uninsulated room, since it is used for recreation only in the summer. If the balcony or veranda does not have glazing, it can easily replace a garden gazebo, where you can spend pleasant evening hours in the fresh air. It is clear that the flooring of such premises is chosen taking into account their characteristics.

Requirements for flooring in open areas of the house

Basically, a balcony or veranda is a walk-through room that is not heated. If it is open, a certain amount of moisture, dirt, dust will fall on the floor, will be blown by the wind, and will also be exposed to direct sunlight. All these aggressive external factors can negatively affect the material with which the floor will be covered, and it is they who must be taken into account when formulating the requirements for the floor covering:

• The floor must be highly resistant to temperature changes with significant daily and seasonal amplitudes.
• The coating must be moisture resistant, and preferably even waterproof.
• The floor must be highly wear-resistant and resistant to abrasive loads.
• Mandatory requirements are reliability and strength, the ability to withstand large dynamic loads.
• The coating material must be frost-resistant.

These conditions must be taken into account when choosing flooring for both an open and glazed room, if it is not insulated and does not have a heating system. For a closed veranda or balcony, they can be somewhat softened, since the floors will be more protected from the aggressive environment.

Not all modern coatings meet the requirements described above, so it is worth considering those that may be suitable for this type of premises.

Acceptable types of coverings for a balcony or veranda

You need to choose a floor covering based not only on the characteristics of the material, but also on the design of the extension itself. So, the following coatings may be suitable for installing a floor on a balcony or veranda:

- planks made of natural wood;

— from rubber crumb;

— from rubber tiles;

— decking – in the form of tiles or composite boards;

— polyvinyl chloride tiles;

- ceramic tile.

Plank floor

Board covering on balconies and verandas is a traditional option that has been used for decades, and does not lose popularity due to the numerous positive characteristics of the material:

• This is an environmentally friendly coating.
• It has excellent appearance, thanks to the variety of textures and shades of natural wood.
• With certain processing, wood is wear-resistant and moisture-resistant, which means it will withstand temperature changes well.

Wooden floors will probably never lose their relevance

However, not every breed is suitable for use in such extreme conditions. Therefore, it is better to choose hardwood material that can last a long time. The price for it, of course, is much higher than, for example, for pine, which is so popular for interior work.

But even when using hard wood such as oak or alder, it is still necessary to treat it with antiseptic compounds in order to protect it from mold and mildew, insects, and prevent decomposition processes. In addition, the floors are covered with water-based varnish, paint or protective wax.

The wooden covering on the open veranda is arranged on logs, which are laid on pre-installed pillars, the height of which may vary, depending on the height of the planned level. On the balcony, logs can also be attached to a concrete base, but it must have a slight slope for water drainage.

In any case, in open areas the boards must be laid at a certain distance from each other, which can be 7-10 mm. It is necessary so that moisture does not linger on the surface, and the wooden covering is constantly ventilated.

Wood is a naturally warm material, so it is pleasant to walk on it barefoot in the summer. Naturally, the flooring boards must be well processed and free from burrs and numerous knots.

Although plank flooring has long been used as a floor covering on balconies, verandas, terraces of any type, it is better if it is laid in a glazed room, since for open structures there is an excellent alternative - this is a wood-polymer board, which is otherwise called “decking” .

Video: wooden balcony and veranda of a private house

Decking

Decking is a modern coating made from crushed wood raw materials that have undergone a certain heat treatment and mixed with polymer compounds. It is produced in the form of boards of different sizes by pressing. This material is also called deck or terrace boards.

Flooring with decking is an excellent solution for balconies and verandas

Decking is almost ideal for laying on an open balcony or veranda, as it is used to cover completely open terraces and even paths in the garden. Its qualities meet all the requirements for the floor of a veranda or balcony:

— it is moisture-proof and not subject to rotting processes;

- durable and reliable during operation - its service life reaches 20 years or more;

— the coating is non-slip, as it has a ribbed relief surface;

— decking is resistant to both high and negative temperatures;

— it does not require treatment with antiseptic agents;

- the material is wear-resistant - it hardly wears out;

— it is initially protected from damage by microorganisms and insects.

The material can be called close to natural, since the amount of wood component is 80-85%, and polymers 15-20%.

Variety of composite decking boards

Decking is often made from all-natural hardwood, which is heat-treated with hot steam in a hermetically sealed chamber. This method allows you to remove all moisture from the wood, after which it becomes especially durable, waterproof, frost-resistant and resistant to ultraviolet rays.

Terrace boards, just like solid ones, are laid on logs at a distance of 7-10 mm from each other. You can arrange a covering of boards and continuous flooring without cracks, but then the logs need to be fixed with a slight slope so that water does not linger on the surface.

To ensure rigidity of the covering, the logs under the boards should be placed no more than 50 cm from each other.

The decking board will create a neat aesthetic appearance on the veranda or balcony. At first glance, it is impossible to distinguish it from natural wood, especially if you choose the right color.

Garden tiles

Garden tiles are made from the same composite material as decking boards, or from natural wood that has undergone special heat treatment.

The floor of a balcony or veranda, covered with “garden parquet”, looks very respectable

Garden tiles consist of two layers. The lower one is made of plastic and has a lattice design with locks for attaching lamellas and connecting individual slabs into a single covering.

Lamellas are individual parts made of wood or wood composite. They are fixed on the grid in the external image of a parquet board.

Garden tiles are produced in sizes of 30 × 30 or 50 × 50 cm, so they are convenient to lay in areas of any size. If necessary, you can easily separate some unnecessary ones from the whole tile.

This material is also used to lay garden paths, open areas for recreation and balconies, but to install the tiles, you need a hard surface arranged with a slight slope. This is necessary so that water passing between the slats does not collect on the surface of the base.

Installation of wooden tiles is not difficult

The basis for installing garden tiles on a balcony or veranda is most often made of concrete screed, but you need to take into account that its surface must be well leveled and receive reliable waterproofing.

Separate covering elements are laid on top of the concrete base and fastened together. They can be laid in a checkerboard pattern, or turned with lamellas in one direction.

The coating made of this material looks amazingly aesthetically pleasing and will last for many years. It can be laid both indoors and outdoors. It should be noted that the tiles are also laid on an insulated base. In addition, it itself makes the floor warm and pleasant for bare feet.

Ceramic tile

This type of covering is also perfect for covering a veranda or balcony. But, having chosen it, you need to take into account that the surface of the material must have a relief pattern, especially if, for example, the veranda leads to the interior of the house. In winter, ceramic tiles become slippery, especially when snow gets on them, which can lead to injuries, so you need to think about this in advance.

Ceramic tiles on the balcony will withstand any adverse effects

Ceramic tiles can also only be laid on a concrete surface or on a durable wooden floor leveled with a self-leveling floor.

The ceramic coating is durable, abrasion-resistant and water-resistant. It will withstand sub-zero temperatures if the tiles are intended to be laid outdoors. In addition, installation of the covering must be carried out in accordance with the rules, using materials recommended for outdoor work - tile adhesive and grout.

Ceramic tiles have a lot of advantages, which include the following:

- environmentally friendly material, as it is made from special types of plastic clay;

— the coating does not absorb street dust and dirt, so it is easy to clean;

— it is resistant to external aggressive influences and chemicals used in detergents;

— due to its moisture resistance, ceramics are protected from the occurrence of mold formations on it;

— if it is decided to insulate a closed veranda with a “warm floor” system, then ceramic tiles are perfect for the finishing coating;

— the variety of colors and patterns of produced tiles allows you to choose an option for any design solution.

Ceramic tiles perfectly imitate natural stone coverings

Rubber crumb coating

Seamless crumb rubber coating is perfect for flooring on balconies, terraces, verandas and for steps and landings of open staircases. It has a large number of positive qualities that can create a very original coating for these rooms that is pleasant for the feet and safe in all respects.

Rubber seamless coating - a modern approach to arranging a balcony or veranda

It is quite possible to lay such material yourself, having simple tools at hand and knowing the technology of work.

The raw material for the production of rubber granules, as well as for the production of tiles from crumb rubber, is crushed rubber, which is obtained from old tires. To make the coating look beautiful, coloring pigments of all primary colors are used, so if desired, various designs can be made on the floor.

The crumbs are mixed with polyurethane glue, coloring agents are added and in this form they are laid out on a flat base - it can be concrete or old ceramic tiles.

The laid out mass is distributed on the surface and rolled using a roller. If large areas are covered with such a coating, then a manual roller can be used for leveling.

After the rubber coating has completely hardened, it will acquire the following qualities:

• Good strength, reliability and durability.
• Abrasion resistance.
• A very important quality of such flooring will be the absence of slipping, which means that the veranda will be injury-proof at any time of the year.
• It is pleasant to walk on the surface barefoot in summer.
• This is a wonderful decorative design for the veranda.
• If the floor has a certain slope, moisture will leave the coating on its own.
• Since such flooring is used for open areas, it can easily withstand high and low temperatures without changing its qualities.
• The rubber coating is resistant not only to different temperature conditions, but also to direct sunlight - ultraviolet radiation.
• The coating can be laid in indoor and outdoor areas of balconies or verandas, as it is environmentally friendly, odorless and does not emit toxic substances.
• Over time, the coating does not lose its brightness and retains its original appearance for many years. Its service life can be 15-20 years.

Video: advantages of crumb rubber coatings

Rubber tiles

Rubber tiles are made from the same rubber crumbs. Unlike loose material, tiles are much easier to lay.

Rubber tile coating shows excellent performance

It is produced not only in a square shape, but can have various configurations that imitate paving slabs.

The material can be laid using a floating floor system, i.e. loose to the base, or be glued to it with a special compound.

When produced on an industrial scale, the crumbs are also mixed with polymer compounds and poured into molds or pressed into slabs of a certain size, and then cut into blocks.

The tile has all the qualities that are inherent in crumb rubber, and can also be laid on a balcony or veranda.

PVC modular tiles

Another coating that has gained popularity in recent years has been modular tiles made from polyvinyl chloride. It meets all the requirements for a balcony, veranda, terrace, since it covers not only floors in residential premises, but also open areas in recreation areas and paths in personal plots.

Bright colors, ease of installation, hygiene, safety - why not cover a balcony or veranda?

Polyvinyl chloride tiles have numerous positive qualities:

- environmental Safety;

— high strength and wear resistance (the flooring can be laid even in garage boxes);

- waterproof;

— fire resistance;

— wide range of colors;

— ease of installation and maintenance;

- This is a pleasant walking and non-slip material.

Each module has locks that secure them together into a single covering. Locks can be of three types - the familiar “dovetail”, V-shaped and T-shaped. These joints hermetically seal the slabs together, so that not even a small gap remains.

The modules are laid out evenly on the surface, connected to each other and tapped with a rubber hammer. The tiles can be connected evenly - one to the other, or they can be with the rows shifted by half the slab, that is, according to the principle of brickwork.

In addition, you can use several different colors of the material to decorate the room aesthetically. In this case, it is best to first make a sketch of the covering, calculating in advance how many slabs and what color will be needed to fill the floor space.

Floors made from PVC tiles are of a floating type, so for installation, except for the covering material, a rubber hammer and a hacksaw or jigsaw, no other tools or building compounds are required. This coating can easily be installed in one day without much difficulty. The only thing that needs to be taken into account during installation is a smooth, clean and dry base. If the floor is not dried, mold may appear between it and the tiles, since the coating will seal the floor.

The coating can be easily cleaned using ordinary detergents

So, choosing the right type of covering is quite possible, but you need to take into account the location of the balcony or veranda and the seasonality of their use. Flooring made from any material presented in the publication can play not only a functional role, but also become a decorative decoration of these rooms.

Laminate

Laminate is a modern material with many positive characteristics. But it is only suitable for interior decoration in well-insulated and moisture-protected rooms. Laminate looks very aesthetically pleasing, it is easy to install and replace individual boards (in case of damage). It is only important to lay the panels on a perfectly flat surface. This is often achieved by using a cement screed.

Use of self-leveling mixtures

The easiest way is to make a foundation with your own hands using self-leveling building compounds.
The easiest way is to make a foundation with your own hands using self-leveling building compounds. This leveling is suitable for uneven bases not exceeding 3 cm. A cement screed of this thickness can crack, but the self-leveling composition will give a strong, even and smooth surface with a height of 0.3 to 3 cm.

Alignment is carried out in this order:

1. The concrete slab is cleaned of debris and dust. All gaps between it and the walls, as well as cracks, are carefully sealed with cement mortar. After this, the surface is vacuumed.
2. The slab is primed. After 3-6 hours, when the primer has hardened, you can proceed to the next stage.
3. Prepare a self-leveling mass. To do this, add water to the dry mixture according to the instructions on the package.
4. The mixture is evenly poured over the floor and leveled with a steel spatula.
5. To remove air bubbles, go over the liquid screed with a needle roller.
6. After 1-2 days you can walk on the screed.

Video instructions for making a self-leveling screed:

Other types of coatings

The sections above listed the main materials that are used as flooring on balconies and loggias. However, there are other options. For example, ordinary wooden boards or wood lining are often placed on closed and insulated balconies. This creates an incredible atmosphere of comfort and warmth.

Wood is also a completely natural, safe material.

But wood is very difficult to care for: it needs to be opened with special solutions that prevent the proliferation of fungi and parasites, drying out, and rotting. But such a floor will provide excellent thermal insulation and will last for many years and even decades.

However, if you plan to install heated floors, then wood cannot be used as a floor covering - the boards will quickly dry out, become covered with cracks and begin to creak.

Another good and budget way is carpet. It is pleasant to the touch, warm, cozy - just right for a relaxation area or office. But, again, this method is suitable only if the balcony is well insulated and reliably protected from moisture.

Now about the options for open balconies. If you need to do everything simply, without losing any performance characteristics, then rubber-based paint would be the best option. This way you will provide the floor slab with protection from abrasion, moisture, low and high temperatures, and damage. In addition, this paint will not fade in the sun and will retain its original appearance for a long period of time. It is applied in the same way as the most ordinary paint - with a brush, airbrush, roller. The main condition is ideal surface evenness.

There are other materials, so if none of the above is to your liking, you can seek advice from a specialist from a building materials store or from a specialist who lays flooring on loggias and balconies.

Subfloor options

In order for the balcony to look beautiful and provide the necessary comfort, preparing the base should not be limited to leveling it with a screed. It is necessary to further insulate it by installing a wooden frame with insulation. And for maximum comfort in the cold season, you can install a “warm floor” electrical system.

Wooden frame with insulation

The most popular subfloor design, due to its simplicity and relatively low costs, consists of:

• wooden frame;
• insulation (mineral wool, expanded polystyrene);
• flooring (chipboard, plywood).

Wooden logs are used as lathing, which are attached to the base of the balcony with anchors and form cells for laying insulation. Both mineral wool and expanded polystyrene (foam plastic) can serve as insulation material, since their thermal insulation properties are comparable.

Note! If you will insulate the floor on the balcony with mineral wool, take care of reliable waterproofing. Unlike expanded polystyrene, mineral wool completely loses its thermal insulation properties when wet.

When choosing between chipboard and plywood, keep in mind that the first option has a lower coefficient of linear expansion. Chipboard retains its shape much better and deforms only if it stays in water for a long time.

Combination “wooden logs + mineral wool + chipboard”

Warm floor system

Insulating materials reduce heat loss indoors, but do not emit heat themselves. To maintain a comfortable temperature in any weather, it is better to install an electric heated floor on the balcony. Such a system costs an order of magnitude more than a conventional wooden frame with insulation. But thanks to it, you will get additional living space where you can arrange a relaxation area or a study.

To install the system, use an electrical cable or infrared film. The choice of a specific option primarily depends on the geometry of the base. If the room is of irregular shape, it is better to use a cable, which can also be easily laid on an uneven surface, so leveling the base is not required. For infrared film, it is critical to install it on a perfectly flat surface, and the geometry of the balcony or loggia must be rectangular. The advantage of the film is that the floor covering can be laid directly on it, whereas the use of cable requires a finishing screed.

The smaller the cable laying step, the greater the power of the “warm floor”

The cable and film in the “warm floor” system must be laid on a heat insulator, which will prevent heat from escaping downwards.

You will have to pay for the comfort provided. It's not just about expensive materials. The system operates from the electrical network, which means it is an additional consumer of electricity. The consumption of “warm floor” depends on the external air temperature, on average it ranges from 100-200 W per 1 m².