Having an uneven balcony floor can restrict how you arrange furniture, or what you can actually use. Provided you’re willing to put in a bit of work, there are ways you can tackle this issue, though.
So, let’s look at 7 solutions for what to do with an uneven balcony floor.
Balcony Flooring vs. Patio Flooring
Whereas on a patio you can just relay or cover paving slabs, your options are slightly more limited with a balcony. The biggest difference is that balconies will typically have a solid flooring layer, and there’s only so far down you can go.
Also, determine if your issue is whether your balcony floor is uneven or not level. You don’t want a balcony to be perfectly flat because it won’t drain rainwater otherwise. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about a slanted balcony.
We can address an uneven balcony floor, though. The process is different to leveling a patio because you’ll need to be careful how much extra weight you add. That said, we can look at flooring solutions that aren’t too heavy.
Causes for an Uneven Balcony Floor
The most common reasons for a balcony floor being uneven are:
- Low-quality materials
- Poor installation
- Wear and tear (weathering, damage, etc.)
It’s worth figuring out what the problem could be before you try a solution. For example, a damaged concrete balcony floor will only get worse, and covering it up with more flooring could be a safety hazard. If you’re unsure, consider speaking to a professional before going any further.
What to Do with an Uneven Balcony Floor: 7 Solutions
1. Use sand
If you can get away with adding extra weight, try a layer of sand over the uneven surface. You can use it to level uneven areas by compacting the sand to a standard level.
Of course, you’ll need to put proper flooring over the top, so consider combining this with a solution below. You could use very fine gravel, but sand is better at filling small gaps. Also, bear in mind that it could affect your balcony’s drainage.
Pros
- Quick way to level uneven floor
- Inexpensive
- Easy DIY job
Cons
- Adds extra weight
- Could impact drainage
2. EVA Foam Tiles
EVA foam tiles (such as these) won’t level an uneven floor but they should make minor issues unnoticeable. Choose tiles that are 1” thick, as this’ll cover up most problems. You could then layer some more attractive flooring over the top.
EVA foam is water-resistant, but it won’t last ages if you leave it out year-round. So, save this option for a covered balcony or bring the tiles in over the winter.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Interlocking tiles mean the floor won’t shift
- Suitable for covering minor issues
Cons
- Won’t work for large height differences in floor
- Not suitable for year-round use
3. Leveling Legs
If you’d prefer to focus on leveling furniture rather than your whole balcony floor, leveling legs will do the job. They screw into furniture, and you then adjust the height of the legs based on the floor surface.
Of course, it’ll only work for things like sofas and chairs, as not all furniture can have feet screwed into it. If that’s the case, stackable floor protector pads (such as these) should work fine. You just won’t be able to move the furniture around as much!
Pros
- Addresses furniture rather than balcony floor
- A cheaper and easier solution
- Suitable for most furniture
Cons
- Stackable pads aren’t as convenient as leveling legs
4. Tile the Floor
Tiles aren’t the easiest solution, but they’re more permanent than anything suggested so far. The benefit of using tiles is that you can add a layer of mortar underneath to ensure the floor is even.
Expect to spend a lot of money, as you’ll need tiles, mortar, tools, and a tile cutter. Due to the amount of work that goes into this option, it might not be suitable for renters.
Pros
- A permanent solution
- Allows you to design the floor in your style
- Tiling can be an enjoyable DIY project
Cons
- Expensive
- Not suitable for renters
5. Rearrange Furniture
Changing your furniture layout is probably the cheapest option for dealing with an uneven floor, provided you already own the furniture! Some solutions include:
- Hanging a swing chair
- Covering the uneven area with a planter
- Hiding it with a rug
Just make sure you’re not avoiding a structural problem by hiding it with furniture.
Pros
- Cheapest possible solution
- Doesn’t require any DIY
Cons
- Might not be possible on small balconies
- Doesn’t actually address the issue
6. Decking Tiles
On their own, decking tiles won’t hide an uneven floor unless the problem is very minor. However, you could use them to cover the actual solution, such as sand or foam tiles.
Interlocking decking tiles (such as these) are really easy to use and come in a range of styles. They provide decent drainage, too. The main drawback is that, once locked together, they can be quite rigid. Rigidity isn’t very helpful when covering an uneven floor.
Pros
- Available in a range of styles
- Suitable for covering other solutions
- Fine for renters
Cons
- Won’t necessarily address your uneven floor
7. Pedestal Supports
If you’ve got enough clearance on your balcony, pedestal supports will be ideal for this job. You put them under decking to level out a surface, which is exactly what we need here.
However, the shortest ones you’ll find are around 1.5”, which is quite tall for a balcony considering this doesn’t include the new flooring. But if you can get away with it, these are designed for leveling uneven floors.
Pros
- Specifically designed for this job
- High load bearing limit
- Height adjustable
Cons
- Expensive
- Will add a lot of extra height to balcony floor
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, one of these solutions will work for your uneven balcony floor. Regardless of what you try, make sure you get any potential issues inspected before you cover them up. After all, the last thing you want is an unsafe balcony!