Balcony flooring recommendations?

May 27, 2024 12:11 PM

I rent in a 60 year old building with a dirty, pitted concrete balcony. I'm wondering how well IKEA Runnen tiles hold up to Toronto winters. Other (Canada available) alternatives are welcome.

Because the surface is rough and porous, proper cleaning of pigeon poop* requires a lot of water and there are a couple cars directly below the deck that would be hit with runoff. I'd like a surface that can be washed/wiped clean. Something that doesn’t hold water after rain would be great too.

* the rental agreement forbids anti-pigeon spikes or netting.

posted by brachiopod to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

Best answer: We, in Toronto, have the wood finished version of the IKEA RUNNEN tiles on a south-facing balcony, and have had them for a couple years now. They're holding up well. They go together easily, can be cut to shape with a jigsaw, and drain water nicely. They also snap apart easily if you need to retrieve something small that's fallen underneath.

I would guess hitting them with a lot of water and a deck brush would clean them up quickly, but you may wish to opt for the plastic finished tiles if you have to clean them with harsher chemicals frequently. Or just resign yourself to laying down wood finish on the wood tiles on an annual basis. Anyway, thumbs up from the Garden District.

I'll add they look really nice when pared with some furniture and potted plants and feel very pleasant under foot, much better than the "gritty membrane" sealant they put on external concrete up here. OK
posted by seanmpuckett at 12:57 PM on May 27 [2 favorites]

Best answer: We use them in a garden plot in New England, exposed fully to the elements 365 days a year. They hold up great.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 1:14 PM on May 27 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Ok, off to Ikea. Thanks!
posted by brachiopod at 4:33 AM on May 28