What is the Best Flooring Material for the Balcony?

We list the pros and cons of popular flooring materials for the balcony that can survive the Indian heat, cold and rain

Pooja Khanna Tyagi9 May 2019

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016 an for architectural poetry in the year 2018. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi and Noida. Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392

Balcony floors are often the most overlooked area of the home; it is essential to select this flooring carefully so that there is a seamless transition between the indoors and the outdoors. Also, the floor should not only be able to withstand the external weather elements but also add to the aesthetic appeal of the balcony, have good stability and slip-resistance properties that ensure safety.

Take a look at a few trending flooring materials for the balcony.

Eleganti Designs

Porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles are widely available and have emerged as one of the most popular flooring materials for the balcony.

Pros:

These tiles are very dense and highly durable, which makes them suitable for outdoor use.
The non-porous nature of the tiles prevents water absorption; hence they are resistant to mould and mildew, especially valuable during the monsoon.
Porcelain tiles are available in a variety of colours and designs. Some are designed to replicate the look of stone and natural wood, as seen in the image above. However, make it a point to only go for matte-finish tiles with anti-skid properties.
These tiles are easy to maintain: routine cleaning with a wet mop is all you need.

Cons:

Being a dense material, porcelain tiles are heavy.

Ceramic vs Porcelain Tiles

LEIVARS

Natural stone
Popular natural stone materials used for the flooring of the balcony include sandstone, cuddapah (kadappah) and slate.

Pros:

Natural stone floors are extremely durable, sturdy and long lasting.
Natural stone materials add colour, texture and an element of warmth to an outdoor space.
Natural stone is naturally cool during the summer months.

Cons:

This flooring material is porous and needs to be sealed periodically.
Natural stone is very heavy. Hence, before installation of a stone floor it is essential to check the structural load-bearing capacity of the building, as well as of the balcony projection, by consulting a structural engineer.

Note: Avoid materials such as granite for the balcony, because they tend to become very slippery during the monsoon. Also, avoid marble because it is highly porous; it might lose its shine over time and will require re-polishing.

STUDIO YAMINI

Cement tiles
How about infusing character into your balcony with cement tiles, like in this example?

Pros:

Cement tiles are very durable, sturdy and slip-resistant.
These tiles come in rich colours and bold traditional patterns that add an element of art into the balcony
Cement tiles are easy to clean; routine cleaning involves mopping with a mild soap, followed by a dry wipe.

Cons:

Cement tiles are very heavy; check the structural load-bearing capacity of the building and make sure that the slab can take the additional load of the cement tiles.
Cement tiles are handmade – there might be some colour variation among tiles. Make sure to order all your tiles in one batch so that there is minimal difference in the colour of the tiles.
These tiles are porous and need to be periodically sealed so as to maintain their look. If not sealed, there can be water absorption by the tiles, which might result in mould or mildew.
Cement tiles are expensive.

Beacon Construction Group

Terracotta
Bring a rustic and earthy look into your balcony with handmade terracotta tiles.

Pros:

Terracotta is naturally resistant to mould and mildew, which makes these tiles suitable for the outdoors.
Terracotta tiles do not fade from continuous exposure to sunlight or UV light.
These tiles are made of naturally available materials, which makes them eco-friendly.

Cons:

One drawback of using terracotta tiles is that because they are very porous, they attract a lot of dirt. Consider a glazed finish on these tiles (as seen in the example above), as they are comparatively easier to maintain than unglazed tiles. However, opt for a non-slip type of glaze.
Additionally, because of their porous nature, terracotta tiles have the tendency to retain water, especially during monsoons, which may result in growth of algae.
Terracotta tiles need to be sealed periodically. For routine cleaning, use a gentle floor cleaner and clean up stains with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.

Accoya Wood

Hardwood
Wood is one material that never goes out of style and effortlessly imparts a high-end look to the balcony

Pros:

Hardwood floors are highly resistant to water.
Wood feels wonderful barefoot.
It can be easily installed on an existing flooring.
Wooden flooring looks good in the balconies of both modern and traditional homes.

Cons:

Wood has the tendency to get attacked by termites.
Good-quality wood is a very expensive flooring option for the balcony.
These floors require regular maintenance. It is important to seal the wood regularly to keep it in good condition.
Wood has the tendency to expand and contract when exposed to external weather conditions, so make sure you only go for weathered wood.

Xanadu Organic Gardens

Composite deck flooring
This is a composite material in vinyl or WPC (wood plastic composite) that simulates the look of real wood. It is available in the form of ready-to-install interlocking tiles.

Pros:

Composite deck floors are strong and durable.
It is a waterproof material.
Unlike wood, it does not expand or contract.
These floors are maintenance-free.
Composite deck floors do not fade from exposure to sunlight or UV rays.

Cons:

Composite floor materials contain plastic, which tends to become warm during the summer.

DESIGN CAFE

Synthetic grass
Are you looking for a small patch of green within your home? Then consider synthetic grass for your balcony, since it isn’t feasible to grow a lawn within an apartment.

Pros:

The lush green synthetic grass simulates the look of real grass. It can be difficult to differentiate between real grass and good-quality synthetic grass tile until one touches it.
Synthetic grass is installed like a carpet. It has UV stabilizers that prevent the grass from fading when exposed to sunlight.
Good-quality synthetic grass is durable and can last for 15–20 years.

Cons:

Synthetic grass is expensive.
Synthetic grass is made of plastic, which may feel warm to walk on during summers.

Read more:
5 Best Plants to Grow in a Balcony
5 Best Outdoor Floor Tiles for Homes

Tell us:
Which flooring material have you used for your balcony and what’s the verdict? Share in the Comments section below.