LF: Balcony / Deck contractor recommendations.

[Wormius]

Hi,

I have got an aging balcony that I was going to just replace the deck boards on, but after inspecting it, I think it would be best to just demolish it and build something a tad larger and maybe include stairs down to the ground.

Would also like to either fix a crappily installed paver patio, that pools water, is buckling, and pavers are loose (I am not really sure these work that well in Calgary, so I would consider going with a cedar deck or something for our backyard walkout).

Looking for some recommendations for some qualified pros.

[FlamingHomer]

I got fed up with my pavers as well. Between the weeds growing up through them and having a zillion ants living in between them and as you said, getting wavier every year.

I wanted to maintain a low profile patio and I was going to build a recessed frame and add composite decking to it but that product usually needs ventilation otherwise it will mold. I wanted something at or just above ground level.

After much searching I discovered 4' x 8' sheets of Fibre Cement at Timbertown. They are cement/fibreglass composite that doesn't need ventilating so I built a recessed frame as per the recommendations and screwed it on top. I've had it for 3 years and it's been great. There has been some hairline cracks show up at the ends but they don't seem to be getting bigger.

No weeds, no ants and it makes for an attractive surface. You can paint it but I left it natural with a sealer only.

[Wormius]

I am not sure what I want right now. I have a sneaking suspicion that our balcony was completed after the house was built and not done up to code, just from my visual inspection of what's exposed (I don't see any signs of lag screws or bolts where the ledger board is (maybe they're recessed in?), no joist hangers, the railing is nailed in to the side of the house).

I can almost live with the pavers, but if I have to redo the balcony, then I would need to rip that out to make room for new posts for the balcony, and I would almost certanly not go with pavers again.

Yeah, for some reason I don't know if pavers are a good choice for Calgary's climate. Everybody's "just installed" photos look great, but years after I wonder if having them set in mortar would be better. Maybe it was the poor install for us, but I did see a guy doing a driveway a few years ago, and when I went back it was looking pretty wavy too. I am tempted to go with concrete for the patio this time around and just keep it simple.

[FlamingHomer]

I priced out concrete but it wasn't worth the high cost as we wouldn't have added any more value to our middle-of-the-road house. My Finex fibre concrete panel and frame was a fraction of the cost.

I can see if you need a base to support your balcony/deck that a concrete patio would make sense. It could be an expensive project but you would be doing it right.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by FlamingHomer

I priced out concrete but it wasn't worth the high cost as we wouldn't have added any more value to our middle-of-the-road house. My Finex fibre concrete panel and frame was a fraction of the cost.

I can see if you need a base to support your balcony/deck that a concrete patio would make sense. It could be an expensive project but you would be doing it right.

What kind of quotes did you get back for the concrete? The thing is we don't have a huge space. It is currently just a 25 x 10 rectangular patio done with the pavers.

[FlamingHomer]

Originally Posted by Wormius

What kind of quotes did you get back for the concrete? The thing is we don't have a huge space. It is currently just a 25 x 10 rectangular patio done with the pavers.

That's very comparable to the size I was going to do. Depending on the finish, I was quoted $7000 to $9000.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by Wormius

What kind of quotes did you get back for the concrete? The thing is we don't have a huge space. It is currently just a 25 x 10 rectangular patio done with the pavers.

you could get a 25 x 10 area poured in cement for 3000$

[FlamingHomer]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

you could get a 25 x 10 area poured in cement for 3000$

That's about the price I was looking for but couldn't imagine anyone would be 2/3 less than the other quote. Too late for me but hopefully it helps others.

[EVERLAST]

Birch Point Contracting

Erich....403-651-3608

Very nice work done by this fine gentleman

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