The Benefits Of Composite Vs. Wood Outdoor Flooring

Create the ultimate urban outdoor oasis

Envisioning the ultimate urban outdoor oasis begins from the ground up and balcony designs should be developed with longevity in mind because let's face it - renovations and restorations can be time-consuming, expensive, and labour intensive. Skip the hassles and holdups by utilizing a strong, durable, and stylish flooring that's fit for a perfectly cozy, low-maintenance space you will enjoy for years to come. Bask in the warmth of the sun on your skin, celebrate under the starry night skies and relax into the tranquility of a quiet morning. Experience all this and a lifetime more from the comfort of your uniquely-curated outdoor space.

Choosing The Correct Outdoor Flooring For Condo Balconies And Terraces

When it comes to outdoor flooring the options are seemingly endless. It can be easy to get overwhelmed trying to decide which route to take. Some people just opt to throw down an old rug and call it a day, but for those seeking something a bit more stylish and upscale, wood or composite flooring options are most popular with modern condo owners and occupants.

Outlined below are the advantages and disadvantages of Composite VS Wood outdoor flooring products.

Traditional Wood (softwood and hardwood)

The advantage of using softwood or hardwood for outdoor spaces is that wood’s beautiful natural grain and hues are timelessly stylish, naturally aesthetic, and evoke feelings of nostalgia, tradition, and stability. There is an abundance of different styles, textures, grains, colors, and finishes of wood available, making it highly customizable to the owners’ preferences.

Wood feels warm and inviting, yet natural softwoods remain relatively cool under long periods of direct sunlight compared to concrete and other flooring finishes. Softwoods historically are somewhat inexpensive and durable, with a lifetime of about 15-20 years depending on the surrounding climate and exposure to the elements.

The disadvantages of using wood for outdoor flooring include cost, durability, and longevity. Some types of wood can be expensive and require consistent maintenance. Untreated wood is susceptible to insect damage, rot, and decay over time, and can also be susceptible to warping, fading, and discoloration depending on the degree of exposure it has to the elements. Due to the annual maintenance needed (sealants, sanders, paint, replacement boards), wood has become increasingly more expensive than composite options.

Co-Extrusion Composite Tiles & Planks

The advantage of working with balcony plank flooring is that they offer the look of wood with the benefits of co-extruded composite protection. Composite tiles and planks are incredibly easy to install, highly durable against harsh Canadian weather, and do not directly adhere to any surfaces. Composite tiles and planks come in a variety of stylish colors and sleek textures that are weather-resistant and made from recycled materials.

Co-extruded composite tiles and planks are sealed with 360 degrees of waterproof and scratch-resistant protection without the use of adhesives or other harmful chemicals, making them a great option for consumers wanting to be eco-friendly.

Co-extrusion composite has 0% water absorption (whereas wood has around 2-5%) and the co-extrusion process provides the composite tiles with a scratch resistance that is about 3-4 times better than wood.

The tiles and planks will never splinter or rot, and are easy to maintain and keep clean. Due to the “floating floor” produced by the innovative installation process of the hovering composite tiles and planks, water flow and debris drainage can pass underneath resulting in less frequent cleanings needed.

Composite tiles and planks are not prone to insect damage from termites and wood beetles due to the co-extrusion process used to seal the composite tiles. Additionally, most composite tiles and planks come with a 10-year warranty and 20-year lifetime.

There are some styles of composite that look similar to natural wood, but do not feel natural to the touch due to the protective coating around the composite. Depending on exposure to the elements, some styles of composite tiling can become slightly lightened from prolonged exposure to extreme weather over long periods of time.

DIRECT COMPARISON to WOOD OPTION

Features

Wood

Co-Extrusion Composite

No mold or mildew

Will not warp twist or crack

Does not rots or decays over time

Fade and stain resistant

Does not require staining and/or sealing

Heat blocking technology to keep surface cooler

Eco friendly product using recycled materials

Does not fades to silver grey patina over time

Available in modern styles and colours

Does not require sanding

Slip resistant

Safe of fire hazard

Wood balcony flooring after 6 months

Co-extrusion composite after 6 months

Due to the changing costs of natural resources, wood prices have skyrocketed, making wood significantly more costly than composite flooring options. Additionally, composite outdoor flooring is created using recycled materials that have been designed to reduce waste and environmental impacts, prioritizing sustainability practices consumers can feel confident about incorporating into their daily lives.

Composite tiles and planks require virtually no maintenance and only need a light sweep and spot mop every once in a while. Since there is no need to restain, resand, or replace the tiles due to rotting, splintering, or warping, composite tiles’ longevity and ease of use make them highly sought after and popular among many Canadian condo-owners.

To put things simply, composite outdoor planks and tiles are the most economic, easiest to maintain, and the most environmentally-friendly outdoor flooring options to invest in.

What Are Co-Extrusion Composite Tiles And How Do They Work?

Condo Kandy’s NexGen Composite Floor tiles and Platinum Series Plank Flooring are completely waterproof, made with recycled materials, and are incredibly eco-friendly!

Co-extrusion composite tiles are high-tech/high-performance outdoor floor tiles that are eco-friendly and ideal for use on balconies and deck spaces. These condo-approved outdoor tiles are low-maintenance, highly durable, and come in a variety of traditional and modern designs and color schemes.

The internal Bamboo fiber and recycled plastic composite cores are sealed on all sides using extremely high temperatures and pressure, a process called co-extrusion, which provides 360 degrees of waterproof and scratch-resistant protection.

Maintenance is a breeze. Simply give the tiles or planks a sweep and occasional mop with warm, lightly soapy water, or just a quick spot mop whenever it’s needed.

Condo Kandy’s proprietary composite floor tiles and planks are easily installed and do not require the use of any glue, grout, or nails to stay put. These two-level floating tiles hover over the balcony floor’s surface and provide 100% air circulation, allowing water and small debris to fall through and wash away from underneath, reducing the original floor's exposure to damage from regular wear and tear and the elements.

Dream big and design your balcony to be a sophisticated, stylish, and comfortable place to be. Condo Kandy’s innovative flooring solutions provide customers with a condo-board-approved (and effortless) way to enhance and personalize any outdoor space.

Getting Started: How To Achieve Your Ultimate Outdoor Oasis With Condo Kandy

So now that you know which direction to take your outdoor flooring in, what comes next?

Included in the price of your Condo Kandy balcony flooring is a free in-home consultation to kick things off. Once booked, a Condo Kandy consultant will bring over a variety of samples for you to inspect to see how the hue and finish of our products look in correlation with your balcony’s lighting and unique aesthetic. After you’ve had an opportunity to personalize the style and feel of your outdoor flooring, a precise measurement will be taken of your space which will conclude with a firm estimate of your project costs. Following that, our white glove delivery and innovative installation process (in most cases) will begin and finish on the same day, leaving you with nothing to worry about and more time to enjoy the views. It's really that simple!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the co-extrusion composite tiles waterproof long-term or will they need to be treated with additional sealants in a few years?

Due to the co-extrusion process, Condo Kandy’s composite tiles and planks are completely waterproof and do not require any additional maintenance beyond a light tidy whenever needed.

Where can co-extruded composite tiles be used?

Co-extruded composite tiles and planks were designed for use outdoors on flat, even surfaces with good drainage. Though we do not recommend using our products anywhere other than on your balcony or terrace, some options can be used indoors.

I own a condo, will the board/strata approve the installation and use of Condo Kandy’s products in my unit?

The short answer is yes! Condo Kandy’s proprietary floating tile system requires no glue, grout, or nails throughout the installation process which helps to preserve the integrity of the building envelope, aligning with most condo board rules.

However, it is recommended that you consult the by-laws in your condo building before installation just to be sure. Some boards include regulations around exterior visual conformity—so all the balconies look the same from the street—in which case Condo Kandy would be happy to provide the condo board with a free estimate to have all balconies or patios uniformly transformed.

Are there any options available for commercial use?

Yes! Condo Kandy is excited to work with independent developers,designers, and contractors that are not a part of big-box retail stores.