Keeping Your Balcony in Perfect Condition

Balconies offer considerable advantages for properties and can enhance the look as well as increase the value. However, they do require maintenance in order to keep the space looking in good condition. How often this is required and the method you need to use will depend on the material you've chosen for your balcony. Wooden decking is often used for the flooring, and when it comes to the handrail or balustrade steel is a popular option. Here we assess the best ways of cleaning and maintaining these two areas so that your balcony will look beautiful for many years to come.

Looking After Your Decking

Wooden decking is a practical choice for balcony flooring. It provides a high-quality finish and is also easy to maintain. The cleaning and protecting of a wooden deck might not be too time-consuming, but you do need to ensure you do it regularly to keep it looking its best. If you take care of your decking, it will last for many years.

The start of autumn is the ideal time to give the wood a clean so that it's ready and protected for the winter months. First, you need to give the decking a good brush to remove any debris. Then you can use a decking cleaner according to the instructions on the packaging. Brush it into the surface, and then leave it for the time stated. After this time, you need to rinse the cleaner off and then allow it to dry thoroughly before applying a protective layer.

Maintaining Steel Areas

Stainless steel is used widely on balconies and other outdoor spaces, as it's a durable material, extremely strong and simple and cost-effective to maintain. It will continue to look as good as new for a number of years if it's properly maintained, which makes it an efficient choice.

Looking after the stainless steel areas on your balcony should not be time-consuming, and you only need to wash it regularly with soap or a mild detergent. This will remove the build-up of debris and any elements that could lead to rust. Once you've cleaned the steel, make sure you rinse everything off using clean water.

When it comes to the handrail or balustrade steel can show up fingerprints really easily, which can detract from the look of the balcony. These can easily be removed using a simple glass cleaner. If parts of the steel are exhibiting signs of scratches or stains, then you can use a stainless steel cleaner to remove them and give the material a good finish.

Whatever material your balcony is constructed from, the autumn is the perfect opportunity to give the space a good clean before the colder weather sets in. At this time of year, you'll start to use your outside space less regularly, but that doesn't mean you should forget about it altogether. If you finish the season with a clean and protected balcony, there will be less work to do when the warmer weather arrives again.