The balcony is usually not given special importance, but you can turn it into an outdoor terrace, a relaxation area or even a personal study. For this purpose, it is necessary to thoroughly plan the repair and to choose the appropriate materials. We will tell you how the terrace board shall be selected for the balcony, what advantages it has in comparison with other types of coverings, as well as how to lay and maintain it.
Variants of construction materials to cover the balcony
Ceramic tiles are considered to be real classic for open balconies. It is strong and resistant to bad weather conditions. But it is very uncomfortable to walk barefoot on it – the material slowly warms up and cools down, which makes it feel very cold or hot.
Laminate is more pleasant to touch due to its polymer coating. It is strong, but flexible – if a cup falls on it, it probably will not break. But household types of laminate are very sensitive to moisture and sudden temperature drops, and industrial ones are too expensive to cover small areas.
Therefore, the optimal covering is terrace board on the balcony, made of wood-polymer composite (WPC). The innovative material produced by Polyroot company combines the key advantages of all types of covering – strength, resistance to the natural factors influence, flexibility and high level of comfort.
The advantages of using terrace board on the balcony
Above, we briefly talked about the positive properties of this material. But the list of advantages of the terrace board is not limited to them. Decking, as it is also called, has the following advantages:
- Stylish design – composite terrace board is very similar to natural wood. Its surface imitates natural relief pattern, so you will not only see the similarity, but also feel it to the touch.
- By laying terrace board on the balcony, you get high-quality thermal insulation. It will reduce heating costs if you decide to transform the open space into a small room.
- The material is manufactured of environmentally safe raw stuff. It does not emit harmful substances, so it is suitable for families with small kids.
- Decking almost does not fade under the influence of ultraviolet light and retains its rich colour for a long time. It is resistant to moisture and sudden temperature drops.
- Laying terrace board is not more difficult than installing laminate and ceramic tiles. If necessary, you can do all the work yourself.
Installation of terrace board on the balcony
Straight and strong surface shall be the basis for such flooring. If it is provided by the design of the balcony, it is better to fill the concrete screed with a slope of 5-10 mm/1 m for free water drainage. Composite joists shall be placed on the finished surface parallel to the direction of liquid flow. The optimal distance between them shall be 400 mm. Joists shall be aligned with each other, installed in one horizontal plane and attached to the base with the help of dowels.
The correct installation of terrace board will depend on design of the balcony or loggia. If we are talking about cozy closed space, it shall be laid tightly. If you need an open terrace, it is better to leave a larger gap between the boards to compensate for thermal expansion – from 3 mm.
Installation shall start from the immovable surface – a wall of the house or a fence. A starting board shall be attached to it. Further elements shall be connected with each other using special clips. Screws shall be used to install plinths and decorative corners. Be careful – all fittings and accessories shall have high-quality anti-corrosion coating.
Terrace board on the balcony shall be laid only at the temperature above zero to avoid deformation due to expansion. Before installation, it shall be unpacked and left in a dry, warm place for at least a day. This will increase the service life of the floor, reduce the amount of waste and reduce the maintenance costs on the structure.
Terrace board protection and care
Wood-polymer composite material Polyroot can carry heavy loads – up to 660 kg, provided that the joists are installed at a distance of 400 mm. This indicator corresponds to the German standard DIN EN 15534-1:2014-04 and twice exceeds the norm stipulated by the National Standards of Ukraine. It allows you to place heavy furniture, household appliances and plant pots on balconies and terraces.
Care for terrace board is not more difficult than for tiles or laminate. To keep its physical and aesthetic properties, you need to follow these simple rules:
- use detergents with neutral pH – without strong acids and alkalis, having no bleaching properties;
- wash the floor with a usual textile cloth or a soft brush without hard fibers that can scratch the surface;
- to protect the material and extend its service life, it is allowed to use special wax-based oils. You can buy them in DIY and hardware stores.
Choosing Polyroot wood-polymer composite terrace board, you get a reliable, durable floor covering. Which will provide comfort and serve you for many years, without requiring special attention and compliance with complicated care rules.
