The floor of your terrace, patio or balcony needs a do-over? What do you need to know about suitable materials? Ask Team Clean will show you how you can transform your private outdoor space into a lush paradise.
Plants and furniture on your balcony or patio might be important, but there's another element that is equally critical in designing a beautiful outdoor space: flooring. Flooring is what protects your balcony or patio through the changing seasons and gives it a finished look. When choosing the material for your terrace or balcony flooring, it's important to take features like resistance, durability and cost into consideration. Ask Team Clean has put together several options for you to choose from.
A wooden floor is probably the number one option you had on your mind for your balcony or terrace. And we get it! Wood decking is versatile and offers a range of choices for outdoor patios. It gives a warm, natural look with a modern, chic touch that never seems to go out of style. Hardwood decks tend to be a bit more expensive than other options and they require a lot more maintenance and care. If you’re not ready for a big investment, there are very affordable wooden tile options available at IKEA.
If it’s a wood look you’re going for, but you’re not sure about the upkeep of hardwood, composite wood might be your perfect match. Composite wood decking is much cheaper than most traditional wood floors and comparably easy to maintain. This vinyl flooring can even withstand harsh weather conditions. No need to worry about rot, termites or refinishing. Composite wood is easy to clean with mild soap and water, easy to install, recyclable and fire resistant. Need we say more?
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are cost effective and probably your most durable option. They are also incredibly versatile in terms of design. You can get outdoor tiles that look like natural stone or in a wide range of patterns and styles. They're the true chameleon of outdoor flooring. Tiles are also low maintenance, since all you ever need to do is give them a once over with a mop. On the downside, ceramic or porcelain tiles do not fare well in extremely cold temperatures and get very slippery when wet. That's why they're not a good choice for around the pool, if you’re lucky enough to have one.
Feeling crafty? You can also paint the concrete floor of your balcony. You can fake the look of expensive tiles by using paint and a stencil, or simply pick a fun colour.
If you’re reading this and thinking of the soggy artificial AstroTurf from the 80s, you’re in for a surprise. Over the last few decades, there have been some great improvements in artificial grass flooring. If you buy good quality artificial turf, you will hardly see or feel the difference from real grass. All the pros, with hardly any cons as you’re avoiding the hassle of growing, fertilising and maintaining a real grass lawn. While good quality artificial grass is initially more expensive than most of the other options, it does pay off in the long run.
Outdoor carpet can be a great option for patios and balconies. Especially when you have a roof over your outdoor space and know it will stay mostly dry. Most carpet tiles are mould and mildew resistant, but you don’t want them to be soggy all summer long. Make sure that the manufacturer has approved the carpet for outdoor use. Outdoor carpets are typically low pile (similar to the carpet tiles you see in large offices) and can bring a homey feeling to your outdoor space. Although outdoor carpet is durable, it still requires some regular maintenance to keep it looking good. It's built to hold up to commercial traffic and the elements, but it’s still carpet, and that means you’ll have to vacuum and occasionally give it a deep carpet cleaning.
Another fun option to spruce up your outdoor space with something soft is using a few rugs. This can add some texture and colour to an otherwise minimal balcony space when you need it.
This one may make you do a double take, but it’s true. Rubber flooring is a fantastic option for your terrace. It’s absorbent, versatile, durable, shock absorbent and slip resistant. And it can actually look good. Rubber flooring is great if you have kids, because it offers the look of brick or cobblestone without the slippery, hard surface. It can withstand the elements and can be used on the surface of a pool deck, if you’re lucky enough to have one.
Now that you have an overview of the available options for outdoor flooring, your final decision should come down to the location of your balcony or terrace. Do you have a covered balcony on the third floor or a sunny terrace behind your house? Do you want to entertain guests on your roof terrace or enjoy your coffee on a patch of grass in the morning? With these options, you're sure to find the right fit for your private oasis.