Expert: Dan Griffin - 10/29/2011

Question
I live on the 2nd floor of a condominium that has an outdoor balcony.  I would like to refinish the floor.  I imagine I would also like to ensure that water doesn't seep into the wood construction that must be underneath so some kind of waterproof product? It looks like concrete from the way it is wearing out.  I imagine I need to use something that will not add any significant weight.  Can I just put on a coat or two of waterproof paint?  I'm not positive what material the balcony floor is made of although the balcony itself is stucco.  Repairs/patches have been made to hairline cracks and pitted areas with a product called Quickcrete at one time and more recently caulking for concrete. Can the refinishing go right over these? What process do you recommend?  Thanks for your help.

Answer
P, you make it kind of rough to answer unless I truly know what the balcony is.  If the primary structure is concrete, I would  expect the balcony  to be concrete, but with no woodwork under it.  If the basic building structure is wood studs, then I would expect the balcony to be wood, with perhaps a very thin application of a cementitous material applied to a lath membrane on the wood.

YOu would be safe to apply a good Floor and Porch enamel to either one, though it will require periodic reapplication, even annually, depending on weather/wear/etc.  Here is a site with the paint - though every major brand has something similarL
<http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/products/porch_floor_enamel/>

A longer lasting material would be epoxy paint which is a 2 part system, but is much harder and more durable.


There are many topping cements that can be applied as thin as a 1/4".  There are epoxy toppings that are about 1/8".  I would expect that your balcony is fairly small, so costs will be minimal.

Here is a site with pictures of applying a concrete topping:
<http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-stamp-a-concrete-porch-floor/index.html>

Here is site with epoxy coating products:
<http://www.ucoatit.com/2011web/main.htm>

Anything you surface apply will require diligent surface preparation to insure proper bonding and optimal wear.  I have given you this list in about the right order as far as costs.

I hope this gets you going a good direction.