I have a grated balcony -- What can I cover it with so I can put chairs and a table on it?
Question:It's a metal grate.. About 31"x93".. I want to put something on it so there is a flat surface that can sit chairs and a table.. Thanks for the help.
Answers:
Ask your father to help you install the plywood and outdoor carpeting. He is a very nice guy.
A piece of plywood, stained, then put indoor outdoor carpet over it.
I agree with dtwladyh... 1/4 inch exterior plywood would work well.
If it was guarenteed flat, I'd suggest some large ceramic tiles--maybe cut to fit. But most likely it is not flat, so the tiles would not sit flat and would break easily. Go with exterior grade plywood, paint and seal it. Make sure and leave a half inch or so on the side facing the room so that if rain hits the balcony it would run off instead of running into your room.
I wouldn't use anything less than 1/2" plywood and 3/4" would be better. Anything less than that and the chair legs will be breaking through. You can get pressure treated plywood that will hold up to the weather better than exterior plywood. Before you do anything, however, I would have someone check it out to be sure that it will support the weight of the plywood, furniture, and you at the same time.
To attach the plywood and keep it from warping, I would try to find some L-shaped bolts and use them in the corners with nuts and washers. You could probably make your own from carriage bolts. There are other possibilities, but using them would depend on how much access you have to the area below the balcony.
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