Wood, tiles, stone: what floor covering for my terrace?
As soon as the sun comes out, it is nice to enjoy the terrace of his house for a meal in good company, read a book, or perfect his tan. To make this place of life a pleasant place, which floor to choose? Editus helps you find your way here!
The materials you can install on your outdoor space are numerous. It's up to you to decide which one you like the most and which is best for your budget.
Among the possibilities available to you:
Tiling
Ideal to create a resolutely modern place, it is rather resistant , whatever the weather conditions.
Another advantage is that it is easy to maintain and cleaning is done only with lukewarm water and black knowledge. If the coating has some stains, it is also easy to remove them with water and baking soda.
In the family of tiles you will find:
- The sandstone tiles, which will imitate to perfection more expensive materials such as wood, marble or natural stone. Very resistant and waterproof, it gives a matte rendering. On the other hand, it is to be avoided if you wish a warm shade.
- Stone tile, cement or concrete, which has the advantage of offering different shapes, as well as a variety of colors.
- The reconstituted stone tile, which will give you the impression of having a stone floor, but at a lower cost.
- Ceramic, which is highly resistant but which, flip side, requires a lot of maintenance. What's more, the choice of available colors is limited.
- The cement is very strong, but is preferred for contemporary style places.
Wood
It is a noble material that will give your space a natural side .
Here, the price range is wide: the cheapest woods , such as pine, oak or spice, will be less resistant to weather and moisture . This type of softwood therefore requires more maintenance if you want to keep it over time: you will need to sand it and apply a protective layer, as well as an insecticide product.
For more peace of mind, opt for oak or chestnut , or for exotic wood (tech or ipé, for example). They are more resistant to moisture and do not require maintenance , other than cleaning with water from time to time to keep them clean.
Another strong point, the wood does not burn the feet despite the outside heat. On the other hand, if you walk on it barefoot, it can be uncomfortable in case of splinters.
Natural stone
To give an air of authenticity to your terrace, nothing better than the stone , which will bring a unique character to your place. Anti-slip and very resistant , this material is also very simple to maintain since it is enough to spend a sweep to clean it.
On the other hand, the foam likes to lodge there: to prevent it from sliding between the joints of the stones, it is useful to use a water repellent. If, despite this, she points the tip of her nose, bring yourself black soap diluted in water and a broom to rub the whole thing.
If it is one of the most expensive coatings, it nevertheless has the advantage of having a very long life .
Among the natural stones for which you can opt:
- Granite, an eruptive rock that is recognizable by its spotted appearance.
- Marble, which has a porous appearance but is less resistant than granite.
- Travertine, which is a type of marble and whose color varies from gray to yellowish.
- The blue stone, which is also a type of marble, and whose shades go from light gray to black.
Reconstituted stone, made of concrete and minerals, remains more affordable, and has an appearance similar to natural stone. Equally robust, it is therefore an adequate alternative.
Want to change the coating of your terrace? Ask a professional who can refer you and provide you with a detailed estimate before starting work.