Balconies on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane apartments are used all year, but they take a lot from the weather. Sun, rain and salt air all test the surface. Tiling a balcony is not the same as tiling a room inside. This guide covers what to consider.

Check with the body corporate first

In an apartment building, the balcony is often part of the common property, or its waterproofing may be the responsibility of the body corporate. Before any work begins, check your by-laws and talk to your strata manager. There may be rules about who can do the work, what hours are allowed, what tiles can be used and how the membrane is to be done.

Ask for approval in writing, and ask whether any existing waterproofing warranty would be affected.

Waterproofing comes first

A balcony is built over a space someone lives in, so water that gets through can cause damage below. A waterproofing membrane under the tiles stops water reaching the slab and the unit below. Balcony waterproofing needs careful attention at the edges, at the door threshold and around drains.

The membrane is applied to a clean, sound surface. It is turned up the walls at the edges, and treated at the door track where the balcony meets the inside floor. It then has to cure before tiling.

Falls to the drain

A balcony floor needs a slight slope so water drains away, towards a drain or the outer edge, and not towards the door. Without it, water pools and finds its way to the door track. Falls are formed in a screed or are already built into the slab. We check them before tiling and tell you if they need correcting.

Door thresholds

The step between the inside floor and the balcony is a critical detail. A low step lets water in, while a high step is a trip hazard. The finished tile height has to work with the door track and the membrane. This is why the membrane and the tiles should be planned together.

Choosing the tile

Balcony tiles should suit outdoor use.

  • Slip resistance: choose a tile with a suitable slip rating for outdoor wet areas.
  • Frost and heat: in Queensland, heat is the concern. Dark tiles can get very hot.
  • Size: very large tiles can be hard to carry up in a lift and may be less suited to small balconies with several falls.
  • Salt air: coastal balconies are exposed to salt, so choose tiles and grout that cope.

Porcelain tiles are popular because they are dense and do not absorb much water.

Adhesive and grout

Outdoor adhesive needs to cope with heat and movement. A flexible adhesive is commonly used on balconies. Grout should be suited to outdoor conditions, and movement joints should be used at the edges and across larger areas.

Weight

Tiles and adhesive add weight to a balcony. For most apartment balconies this is not a concern, but heavy stone on a lightweight structure should be checked.

Working in an apartment

Working in an apartment building brings its own rules. There may be lift bookings, limits on noise and hours, and a need to protect common areas. We plan access and protection of common areas before we start, and we keep the work area tidy. Tell us what your building requires when you enquire.

Maintenance

Sweep the balcony regularly and keep the drain clear. Rinse off salt, particularly near the coast. Check the sealant at the edges every year or so and replace any that is cracked.

Existing tiles on the balcony

Many balconies already have tiles on them. Sometimes the old tiles can be removed and the surface prepared for a new membrane. Sometimes tiling over the top is possible, but it adds height at the door and may hide a failing membrane underneath. We check the condition of the existing tiles, drain and threshold before recommending either option.

Drains, scuppers and overflow

Many apartment balconies have a floor drain or an overflow through the edge. Those need to be kept clear and sealed into the membrane. If a drain is blocked by leaves or debris, water can build up quickly in heavy rain. Tell your tiler where drains and overflows are, and avoid blocking them with tiles, planters or furniture.

Railings and posts

Where balustrade posts or railings sit on the balcony floor, the membrane has to be sealed around them. These small penetrations are common places for leaks. They need to be planned for before the tiles go down.

Questions to ask before a balcony job

  • Do I need body corporate approval?
  • How will the membrane be finished at the door and edges?
  • What are the falls like?
  • What tile and grout suit this balcony?

Talk to us

If you are planning to tile a balcony, call Brisbane Wall and Floor Tiling on 0406 482 001 or send an enquiry. We work across Brisbane, Logan, the Gold Coast, Ipswich and Redland Bay.

See our Outdoor and Pool Tiling page, or browse all services. We work in Daisy Hill, Brisbane CBD, Ipswich, Redland Bay and across the Gold Coast. Call 0406 482 001 or send an enquiry.