Balcony, Rooftop and Patio Turf

Why balconies are different

Artificial grass on a balcony is one of the most searched turf jobs in Toronto, and one of the simplest to install. There's no lawn to dig out and no gravel to haul up an elevator. But a balcony, terrace or rooftop isn't just a small yard. It's part of a building envelope that's designed to shed water, and in a condo it usually isn't entirely yours.

Check with your condo first

In most Ontario condominiums a balcony is an exclusive-use common element: you get to use it, but the corporation owns and maintains it, under the declaration and rules made under the Condominium Act, 1998. Many boards require written approval before anything is laid on a balcony floor, and some don't allow turf at all. Ask the property manager for the balcony rules before you buy anything. Things boards commonly care about:

• Nothing fastened, glued or drilled into the slab or membrane.
• Drains, scuppers and the slope of the slab left clear.
• Weight limits, especially for infill and planters.
• Removal when the building does balcony or railing repairs, which in many towers happens every decade or two.
• Fire rules for rooftop terraces.

How it's installed

Balcony turf is usually loose-laid. A drainage layer goes down first, either interlocking tiles or a dimpled pad, so water runs underneath to the drains instead of sitting under the turf. The turf is cut to fit around railings and doors and weighed down at the edges, or joined into one piece so it can't lift in wind. On a rooftop, the installer checks with the building about the membrane and any ballast or pavers, and may lay turf over pedestals or pavers rather than directly on the roof.

Many installers suggest a turf with little or no infill on balconies. Sand washes toward the drains in heavy rain and adds weight; non-infill and light-infill turfs avoid both.

Decks and patios

Over a wooden deck, turf needs a surface that lets water drain between boards and lets the wood dry out, so a breathable pad or tiles go between the deck and the turf. Over a concrete patio or pavers, the patio's own slope does the work, and the turf can be glued at the edges or laid on a pad for a softer feel. Around a pool, ask for a turf that tolerates chlorinated water and stays cooler in the sun.

What it costs

A Mississauga installer publishes $1,500 for a 100 sq ft apartment deck installed. Turf and materials alone run $3–$7 per sq ft, and a balcony is one of the few turf jobs many people do themselves. If you go DIY, the roll calculator tells you how much to order for your balcony's shape.

Measuring a balcony

Measure wall to railing at several points, since few balconies are perfectly square, and note the door threshold height: turf plus a drainage layer adds height, and it must not stop the door from opening or let water run back toward the sill. Mark the drains and scuppers on your sketch, along with any posts, privacy screens or heaters the turf has to fit around. Take photos of the drains and the railing base for the installer. On a rooftop, ask the building for the roof's construction and any rules about loads before you plan planters or furniture on the turf.

Heat

Turf in full afternoon sun on a south- or west-facing balcony gets very hot, hotter than the concrete next to it on some days. Lighter-coloured turfs and ones marketed as heat-reducing help a little; shade helps a lot. Read how hot artificial turf gets before you lay it where kids or pets will sit.

Most balcony jobs take a few hours once the turf is cut, with no mess beyond the offcuts.

Getting a quote

Measure the balcony, take a photo of the drains, and check your condo's rules. One local installer who does balcony and rooftop work gets back to you.