[mirzai_m]

Can I put Astroturf out on the deck of my condo?

Hello and good day to every one! My name is Mike and I'm in Baltimore, MD.

I live on the third floor of a condo building (it's basically a 2 bedroom apartment) and it has a sliding glass door and a deck. The deck's almost 20 years old. It's not in BAD shape, it just has a lot of splinters, rough spots, nail pops, etc... I have 2 little girls and I want them to be able to go on the deck and play, plant flowers and all that. I'm thinking of just putting some good quality astroturf out back and stapling it down with a staple gun. I'm pretty handy and like to think things through, but I just can't seem to find any advice on this. Other opinions and/or experience would be helpful. When it rains our deck barely gets wet and we get a lot of sunshine. Does astroturf breathe? Drain? What do you all think? This isn't meant to last 10 years or anything, but maybe 2 or 3. Thanks everyone!

 

[dgbehrends]

Hi Mike,
I own a condo as well, and am now renting it out. It has a deck similar to yours and doesn't get that much water, however I put AstroTurf on it for a few years and was later instructed to remove it by the condo association because it can lead to the deck rotting much faster. I found this to be true because the deck boards nearest the edge had deteriorated to the point where I have to start thinking about replacement. AstroTurf doesn't breath very well and it will take a long time for the boards to dry when/if they get wet. In MN, the deck isn't useful in the winter so I only use the AstroTurf during the summer months. If you can ensure that the deck won't get wet often then it should be OK. Otherwise another option might be to use the rubber mats that have holes in them that are used in garages, as they would allow the deck to breath.

 

[mirzai_m]

Good tip, and thank you. Yeah the whole "breathing" thing's what I'm hung up on and your story confirms it. Thanks for the reply! Anyone else?

 

[Wildie]

My son has water problems in his basement and must allow the floors to dry out from time to time!
He bought some snap together plastic tiles that look like a honey comb.
The holes allow free flow of air through and under the tiles.

 

[mirzai_m]

Oohh yeah Wildie, that may just be the answer. I combine the two responses, and now I have the solution. The snap together tiles would level things out too. Awesome. Thanks guys!

 

[dgbehrends]

Oohh yeah Wildie, that may just be the answer. I combine the two responses, and now I have the solution. The snap together tiles would level things out too. Awesome. Thanks guys!

Yea I have seen these snap together plastic tiles used on outdoor tennis and basketball courts. The reason I mentioned rubber is because it's a little more forgiving if you or a little one takes a tumble.

 

[mirzai_m]

What if I put roofing felt down first?

 

[Wildie]

What if I put roofing felt down first?

Don't do it! let the air circulate and let it dry out!