Balcony covering should be weatherproof and have a long service life. However, due to the large selection, it is not always easy to make the right choice. Our comparison shows what is important.

In a nutshell

  • large selection of different materials
  • Costs vary greatly
  • Materials differ significantly in terms of appearance and cost
  • Advantages and disadvantages are mainly in the nature

bamboo

Bamboo has a number of advantages as a balcony covering. Below:

  • high degree of hardness
  • long lifetime
  • environmentally friendly due to rapid growth
  • doesn't fade quickly

The material can be used as a plank or tile.

floorboards

Installing floorboards involves physical effort. Cleaning is not easy either, as there are grooves between the individual elements and dirt, dust, leaves and other dirt can penetrate and settle in them.

In terms of optics, however, there is a large selection. Possible materials are:

  • wood
  • plastic
  • WPC

A good variant of the attachment is a stilt bearing.

tiles

Ceramic tiles are comparatively easy to clean, are durable and create a modern to natural look. In addition, they have the following advantages:

  • great variety of different designs
  • long lifetime
  • relatively easy installation
  • Water drains well

When laying, make sure that a gradient of two percent is maintained. This is the only way that rainwater and melted snow or hail can drain off quickly and easily.

However, this can cause frost damage. Even tiles and mortar suitable for outdoor use change under the influence of temperature. Since this is different for each material, there are sometimes enormous forces at work between the different elements.

Another disadvantage is that the tiles can usually only be used once. They also have to be removed with some effort if a change is necessary or if you move out.

Tip: When laying, choose adjustable pedestals. This makes it easy to create the gradient and easy to apply.

wood tiles

Wood can be laid on the balcony in the form of planks or tiles. In both cases it is important that there is sufficient space between the individual elements, because wood works. That means it expands and shrinks. These processes depend on temperature and humidity as well as contact with water.

Advantages of wooden tiles are:

  • no strong heating
  • natural look
  • comparatively low weight
  • numerous design options
  • Cutting is possible without any problems

Like floorboards, the tiles must not lie directly on the floor. An appropriate substructure is therefore required.

The potential disadvantages of wood tiles as a balcony covering are:

  • Danger from splinters
  • Wood turns gray over time
  • Costs can be quite high
  • Maintenance must be done regularly
  • Deformations are possible

click systems

Both planks and tiles made of different materials are available as balcony floor coverings in the click system. They are extremely easy to lay and are comparatively light in weight.

Variants that have a plastic grid are particularly simple. This means that no separate substructure is required. In addition, click systems can be easily removed at any time, which is particularly useful in rental properties.

Possible disadvantages are:

  • Resizing can be difficult
  • Plastic mesh can become porous over time
  • Cleaning is made more difficult by joints and grooves

plastics

Plastics have numerous advantages as a balcony covering. These include, among others:

  • easy cleaning
  • low cost
  • lightweight

However, the material can become brittle over time due to temperature fluctuations and exposure to UV radiation. It is therefore weatherproof, but does not perform as well as stone and wood in terms of longevity. In addition, the look is not really natural, even with high-quality versions.

natural stones

Natural stones are primarily visually appealing. However, they store the outside temperature for a long time and are very heavy. As balcony floor coverings, they can be downright hot in summer and freeze over in winter. In addition, they may exceed the load capacity of the balcony.

natural stone carpet

Natural stone carpet is a combination of gravel or stones and a binder. The “rug” is spread on the floor of the balcony. If necessary, apply a waterproof layer beforehand.

One of the advantages is that there are no joints on the different balcony floor coverings. However, the natural stone carpet is only weatherproof to a limited extent and is associated with high costs and a comparatively large amount of effort. The binder can yellow over time and may have pores that prevent the material from becoming waterproof. These disadvantages should be taken into account.

Tip: The laying out should be done by professionals. Otherwise significant errors can occur.

carpet

Carpets suitable for outdoor use, such as artificial grass, are a very quick solution as a covering for the balcony. Simply rolling it out is enough. The material can be easily cut. An adjustment of the balcony floor coverings is therefore possible without any problems.

In addition, the acquisition costs of these balcony floor coverings are low and there are several color options. A simple vacuum is sufficient for cleaning. In terms of longevity, however, the carpet is inferior to other materials.

In addition, the surface does not look natural and will discolour over time. After rain, the material also absorbs water. If you would like to walk barefoot, you will not enjoy it much. There is also a risk of mold and mold stains.

WPC

WPC is a mixture of wood and plastic. This combination is intended to combine the advantages of both variants. Machining is comparatively easy, as is cleaning. WPC is also weatherproof.

However, due to the plastic content, it also becomes porous over time. Cracks can develop. This in turn can cause frost damage.

frequently asked Questions

Do I have to register the balcony covering with the landlord?

That depends on the type of installation. Rolling out a rug does not require consent. A click system that can be removed without leaving a trace is also not a problem. However, if a substructure has to be installed or if different layers have to be poured, as is the case with a natural stone carpet, written consent from the rental company is required.

What are the prices for the floor coverings?

Of course, this depends on the material, the design and the square footage. The cheapest option is carpet. A running meter is available in stores for less than ten euros. With stones or tropical wood, the square meter can cost up to 80 or even 90 euros.

Which topping is the best option?

That depends above all on your own preferences, but also on the design of the balcony. Wood that is protected against splinters is particularly pleasant for barefoot walkers. Ceramic tiles, on the other hand, look more modern and are easier to clean. However, laying and grouting are much more complex, which means that they are not without disadvantages. When comparing longevity, however, both perform very well.

Category:

Garden design