South Florida balconies offer beautiful views of the Sunshine State without having to leave home. However, if not properly protected, they can become some of the most vulnerable parts of your property to storm damage.
Although balconies are often overlooked when it comes to weatherproofing a property, water pooling in these areas of a house can cause substantial internal water damage to the structure if the correct measures haven’t been taken to prevent this from happening.
In this guide, we’ll be covering some practical methods for weatherproofing your balconies against water damage. First, let’s review some signs that your balcony could need repairs.
Signs a Balcony Has Sustained Water Damage
If you are wondering whether your balcony has become damaged after a weather event, there are a few common signs to keep an eye out for. These include:
- Discoloration or staining of the balcony surfaces (floor, walls, roof, railing, etc.)
- Peeling paint
- Cracks in surfaces
- A persistent damp or mildewy smell
- Sagging or warped floorboards
- Mold growth
- Balcony window needs replacement
3 Weatherproofing Methods
1: Invest in Waterproof Tile
Investing in waterproof tile can help to prevent rain from being trapped under the surface of your balcony wall or floor and reaching structural elements like wood or metal that could be susceptible to water damage.
Thankfully, waterproof tile is easy to find and you can choose a wide range of colors, patterns, and styles to match your desired aesthetic. The waterproofing helps to ensure that water is not absorbed during storm activity and that your home’s structural elements remain protected.
Instead of DIY-ing a waterproof tile installation, ask a professional to assist you. They will make sure that the tile is applied and sealed correctly to avoid any accidental errors or openings where water could still penetrate the surface.
2: Outfit Your Balconies with a Drainage System
Without the right provisions for water drainage, your balcony runs the risk of becoming a safety and structural risk to your family’s home. Make sure to install a system through which runoff can make its way off of your balcony without you having to interfere.
3: Seal Balcony Surfaces with a Liquid Membrane
You can apply a liquid waterproofing membrane via spray or roller; either method does a beautiful job of making sure that the membrane sinks into every nook and cranny of your balcony to ensure complete protection against water damage. These non-porous substances act as a bonded coating for your balcony’s surfaces, and they’re an inexpensive and effective way to guard against extreme weather.Applying a membrane takes a short amount of time to accomplish and will provide long-term protection against storms and hurricanes.
Take it a Step Further with a Hurricane Impact Balcony Window
During a hurricane, an open balcony could become a magnet for wind, rainwater, and flying debris, which could break through any balcony doors and compromise your home’s interior.
One of the most effective ways to ensure complete balcony protection is to install hurricane impact windows over your balcony’s opening. This specially designed and tested shatterproof glass is designed for resisting common threats posed by severe weather and looks and functions like any other window.
Hurricane impact windows are also outfitted with superior seals that not only resist water intrusion, but they can prevent air leakage to maintain a cooler environment. If you run a fan or air conditioning system in your new closed-in balcony, the air will remain comfortable and cool while the glass also works to filter UV light and dampen exterior noise.
Lastly, because an impact balcony window is able to resist shattering against much stronger forces than traditional glass, they create an additional layer of home security. After a hurricane, burglars often attempt to enter evacuated houses. Impact window glass can withstand most instruments commonly used to break standard windows, which can deter uninvited individuals from continuing to try to find a way into your home.
Get Hurricane Impact Windows for Your South Florida Home
At Paradise Exteriors, we proudly serve all of South Florida as the exclusive installer of Paradise Platinum Series hurricane impact windows. These are the only windows in the category that hold multiple Energy Star Awards for their energy efficiency and an official endorsem*nt from the National Crime Prevention Council for their additional home security benefits.
With offices on both Florida coasts, we serve all South Florida counties and offer a wide range of financing and warranty options to help you save on installation costs.
Balcony Window Upgrade
If you’re looking for assistance when it comes to making sure your home is completely weatherproofed, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Paradise Exteriors,so we can help you accomplish your goal of protecting your house and your family from preventable damage withhurricane impact windows for your balcony as well as the rest of your property.
