Balcony Flooring: Deck Tiles, Outdoor Rugs and Artificial Grass
Compare balcony flooring for renters: deck tiles, outdoor rugs and artificial grass by weight, heat, drainage and how each comes up when you move.
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The easiest balcony flooring for renters is interlocking deck tiles or an outdoor rug: both lie on the existing slab and come up when you move. Choose wood tiles for a cooler surface, plastic for the lightest tile, artificial grass for green underfoot, and a polypropylene rug for the simplest cover. Never cover the balcony’s drain.
Flooring is the fastest change in our set up the space section, and it needs no gardening at all.
Deck tiles, rugs and grass compared
The table uses IKEA’s published figures for one product line in each type, so the numbers compare like with like. Other makers’ tiles differ; check the product page.
| Type | Example (maker’s figures) | Size and weight | Heat in sun | Care | Moving out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic deck tiles | IKEA RUNNEN, polypropylene (min. 50% recycled) | 9 tiles, 11 3/4 in square; pack 6 lb 13 oz | Can get hot in direct sun | Mild soapy water, wipe dry | Unclick and stack |
| Wood deck tiles | IKEA RUNNEN, solid acacia on a polypropylene base | 9 tiles; pack 13 lb 11 oz | Wood reflects and conducts less solar heat than concrete | Re-glaze when it looks dry or cracked | Unclick and stack |
| Artificial grass tiles | IKEA RUNNEN, synthetic rubber and polyethylene top | 9 tiles; pack 9 lb 9 oz | Not stated by the maker | Stiff broom or vacuum, only when dry | Unclick and stack |
| Outdoor rug | IKEA MORUM, polypropylene with rubber backing | Sizes vary; the 2 ft 7 in x 6 ft 7 in size is 4 lb 15 oz packed | Not stated by the maker | Mild detergent, soft brush, rinse, dry fully | Roll it up |
Interlocking deck tiles: wood, composite and plastic
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Interlocking deck tiles
Deck tiles have a plastic base and snap together at the edges, so they float on the slab without glue or screws. IKEA says its RUNNEN tiles click together, come apart again, and can be cut to fit around a corner or a pole. It also says they suit hard, even surfaces such as concrete, stone and wood.
Wood or plastic? Plastic tiles are the lightest and wipe clean, but IKEA notes they can get hot in direct sunlight. Wood looks warmer and, by IKEA’s description, reflects and conducts less solar heat than concrete. It also needs regular care: IKEA says color changes, small cracks and a dry surface mean it is time to re-glaze.
Weight. A 9-tile pack covers about 9 square feet. Multiply by the packs you need and add it to everything else; our balcony weight guide explains who can tell you what your balcony takes.
Rugs and artificial grass
Outdoor rugs are the lightest cover. Look for polypropylene or another fiber sold for outdoor use. IKEA says its MORUM rug is “tested and approved for use outdoors in moderate to warm climate conditions with rain”, should dry completely after cleaning, and should be stored inside when not in use.
A rug that stays wet traps water against the floor. Lift it after heavy rain, let both the rug and the slab dry, and bring it in for winter if you can.
Artificial grass gives a green floor without watering. Tiles are easier to fit and remove than a roll cut to shape. IKEA’s grass tiles use the same 11 3/4-inch click system as its decking, and IKEA says to clean them with a stiff broom or vacuum, only when dry. For greenery above floor level too, see artificial plants for balconies.
Outdoor rugs and artificial grass tiles
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How many tiles do you need?
Measure the floor’s length and depth in feet and multiply for the area. Each IKEA RUNNEN tile is 11 3/4 inches square, so a 9-tile pack covers a little under 9 square feet. A balcony 3 by 10 feet is 30 square feet: four packs, with a few tiles left over for cuts.
Then subtract what you will not cover:
- The drain. Leave the tile over the drain out, or cut it so the drain stays open.
- A strip by the railing. Stop the tiles short of the outer edge so water can reach the gaps or scupper.
- Fixed things. Posts, an air-conditioner pad or a door threshold may need cut tiles or edging strips.
Lay the tiles dry first, before clicking a whole row together. It shows where the cut pieces fall, and you can shift the grid so they end up against the wall rather than at the door.
Rugs are simpler: measure the area you want covered and leave a border of bare floor on every side, so water runs off and the rug dries from the edges. A rug a little smaller than the floor also looks deliberate, and it is easier to lift and shake out on a narrow balcony than one that runs wall to rail.
Drainage, leases and the unit below
- Keep the drain open. Leave the balcony’s drain and any slope toward it uncovered, so water runs off instead of pooling under tiles.
- Check your lease or HOA rules. Rules on flooring vary. Anything glued, screwed or mortared down needs written permission.
- Watch the edge. Trim tiles and rugs short of the railing, so nothing hangs over the edge or blocks gaps that let water out.
- Mind the plants. Pots on a rug or tiles still need saucers, or water stains the floor and runs onto the neighbors below.
With the floor done, add small balcony furniture and a privacy screen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best flooring for a rented balcony?
Interlocking deck tiles or an outdoor rug, because both come up without tools when you move. Avoid anything glued, screwed or tiled in place unless your landlord agrees in writing.
Can you put deck tiles on a concrete balcony?
Yes, if the surface is hard and even. IKEA says its RUNNEN tiles suit hard, even surfaces such as concrete, stone and wood. Leave the drain clear and check the slope so water can still run off.
Do outdoor rugs get moldy on a balcony?
They can if they stay wet. IKEA says to let its MORUM outdoor rug dry completely after cleaning and to store it inside when not in use. Lift the rug after heavy rain so the floor underneath dries too.
Is artificial grass good for a balcony?
It gives a green floor with no watering. Click-together grass tiles are easier for renters than a cut roll. IKEA says to clean its grass tiles with a stiff broom or vacuum, only when dry.
Do deck tiles add much weight to a balcony?
It adds up across a whole floor. IKEA lists its 9-tile packs at 6 lb 13 oz for plastic, 9 lb 9 oz for artificial grass and 13 lb 11 oz for acacia. Ask your building manager before adding anything heavy.
Sources
Filed under Small Balcony Setup: Ideas Renters Can Undo, Garden or Not.
