Balcony,

[Tanoa]

Hi everyone 

I had a covered balcony on the first floor. It was tiles on top of a concrete with marine board underneath suspended on a timber frame. My builder ripped them out as its was cracked . He want to replace the marine  board with fiber cement sheets then lay the tiles on top. Is this appropriate?  Is this better than marine board with tiles on cement? 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Tanoa. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about balcony tiles.

I’m not entirely sure what you mean by "marine board"—perhaps marine-grade plywood? If so, that wouldn’t be an appropriate subfloor for tiles and could be why the previous installation cracked. Typically, outdoor tiles are laid over compressed fibre cement sheeting, as your builder has suggested, since it provides a more stable and durable base. Ensuring proper waterproofing is also important to prevent future issues.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @Tanoa 

Yes fibre cement sheets will last 3 to 4 times longer than Marine ply in that application, Your builder is doing the right thing by you

The cost of the cement sheets also are close the that of the cement fibre sheets so you won't be disadvantaged there.

Hope this  helps.

[Tanoa]

Thank you for your contributions to my question. Now I can relax.

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @Tanoa 

I re read my post I meant to say marine ply is similar cost to cement sheeting.