Porcelain pavers on Balconies
Surfacing a balcony requires important considerations including construction of the substrate, longevity and functionality of flooring options, and long term maintenance. Whether for a residential second or third floor balcony or a multi-unit development with numerous floors of balconies, common choices include adhering tiles to a concrete substrate, settling for brick or concrete pavers that bear heavy loads on the structure, require sealers and maintenance plans, and eventually become covered in mold, mildew and stains, or wood decking that requires joist systems and annual stripping and re-staining to avoid discoloration, warping and splintering over time. Lets take a look at better options to consider - non-slip porcelain pavers and tiles.
Critical measures are taken into account when constructing a balcony. Commonly balconies exist above the first floor, and therefore waterproofing is a major consideration to avoid long term structural damage that often remains hidden until it’s too late.
Any experienced contractor or roofing specialist will confirm how important it is to focus on protecting the waterproofing, often being a sheet of EPDM or TPO membrane or a liquid applied membrane. When the waterproofing layer is compromised significant and costly damage can occur, so regardless of what is being used as the deck surface the preference is always that installation processes don’t involve penetrating the waterproofing.
Porcelain pavers offer significant advantages over traditional decking materials. Being a 3/4” thick structural paver, they can be applied as a ‘floating floor’, elevated on rubber pads or height adjustable pedestals above the waterproof membrane and easily support the weight of foot traffic, decking furniture, pergolas and built in outdoor kitchens.
Rubber pads offer a fast a clean installation where pads are laid directly on the waterproof membrane. The pads impose no threat to the waterproofing and porcelain pavers are laid directly on the pads, without the use of thinset and grout.
On larger balconies, height adjustable pedestals can be used to counter the balcony substrate which is sloped to drain water from the structure. Like rubber pads, pedestals will not damage the waterproofing and offer the additional advantage of being able to level a field of pavers over the sloped balcony.
Structural porcelain pavers are non-slip pavers rated for outdoor flooring. When installed on rubber pads or pedestals, the built in spacer tabs on these supports maintains a consistent gap between pavers ensuring rapid water shedding from paver surface to the waterproofed underlayment below.
Porcelain pavers require no chemical applications for sealing, cleaning or long term protection. The surface colors don’t fade or degrade over time, and being a non-porous material means they resist staining and the growth of mold and mildew, so long term maintenance requirements are very low. And since these pavers come in an exceptionally wide range of colors and styles that closely resemble natural species of wood or numerous stones like limestone, quartz and travertine, and modern manmade styles including concrete and even metalic urban, you can generally find a paver color and style that blends perfectly with your décor.
Porcelain pavers by European Paver Company are just 9lbs per square foot, making them easier to install and much less of a load on the substructure than concrete pavers. Should there become a need to inspect the balcony structure, repair leaks or unclog drains, the pavers are easily and conveniently lifted off the pedestals or pads.
The static load capacity of European Paver Company porcelain pavers is 2,000lbs, capable of supporting all your outdoor living amenities like furniture, large planter boxes, outdoor kitchens and pergolas.
Installation options for Balconies
Contact European Paver Company for additional product information, details on various installation options, and to discuss your project requirements. Pedestal layouts and quotes are supplied free of charge and available within 24 hours of requesting. Samples and in-person demonstrations are available.
Adjustable Height Pedestal Systems
Elevate and level pavers over slightly sloping balcony substrates. Pedestals range in adjustable heights from 1” to 30” inches, provide self-leveling heads with built in spacer tabs allowing water to freely drain off pavers to drains below, protect the waterproof membrane and offer easy future access below pavers for inspection and maintenance.
Paver Pads For Low Height
Elevate pavers on balconies with only 1” of vertical height needed. Pads range in height from 1/4” - 3/8” thick and are stackable to 1” high. Pavers follow the slope of the balcony substrate and maintain a 1/8” gap for efficient water drainage due to built in spacer tabs on the pads.
Mortar and Grout
Where the balcony structure can accept pavers laid directly on the substrate, traditional mortar and grout products work well with porcelain pavers. Installing without grout lines is acceptable.
