Dave Spiers, our installer, of Designer Deck Inc.

Earlier this summer I did a post on outdoor flooring. In it, I derided a colleague for having a most repelling AstroTurf disaster cladding her ample condo balcony, which essentially precluded her from ever using it.

I set out to transform this balcony, and we're well on our way.  Unfortunately, her shame lit a fire under her butt to get rid of that awful carpet, so I wasn't able to capture it on camera.   I did however make the following record of the first step in the transformation: my colleague's very smart choice of floating balcony tiles made of recycled plastic, made to look like wood.

Though summer is drawing to a close, I feel it's not a waste to post this video of what a balcony floor could look like. End of season means sales, as well as lots of openings for installation -- why follow the herd in high season when you can calmly outfit your balcony now, so that it's ready for the dawn of next summer?

Also, it's good to know what to expect from this stuff come Canadian winter, and looks like these recycle plastic tiles are the best choice for longevity. I did a fair amount of research when I took up this balcony cause, and though initially I was dead set on wood, was swayed by a local and well-established company, Designer Deck Inc., toward plastic (at $9.65/sq ft including installation, they are more expensive than pressure-treated wood -- $5.95/sq ft -- but less than Western Red Cedar, at $11.00/sq ft.)

NOTE: Installer Dave Spiers is not hard on the eyes...

My colleague, Christine, and I, visited the Designer Deck's showroom in Vaughan, Ontario, and there, in front of the wood samples, owner Barry Spiers convinced us that for a downtown balcony installation such as Christine's, the plastic tiles were they way to go.

Bottom line is, they looked pretty darn good. Normally, anything that masquerades as something it is not I am categorically against, but I take my hat off to this stuff. The colours are many and appealing (see here) and the faux-wood grain is quite convincing.  The plastic is what they call "no-memory" plastic, which conforms to whatever surface it's placed on, and doesn't resume its original shape. PLUS -- a majour plus -- they're made of recycled material and are virtually indestructible. 

In Ontario, you'll be happy to know that this product complies with condo codes as it is not affixed to the surface in any way.  Unlike much of what is available on the market, these tiles do not leech chemicals and/or colour onto the concrete beneath, often the cause of regulatory disputes with condo boards. And FYI, Designer Deck Inc. is offering a 10% discount until Sept. 30th. 

Anyone else try these?

Related:

• Apartment Style
• Last Chance to Throw that Summer Party!
• An HGTV.ca Producer Makes Over her Balcony