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Home » Interesting Discussions » My DIY weekend project to transform my balcony from drab to fab with Ikea Runnen Decking

My DIY weekend project to transform my balcony from drab to fab with Ikea Runnen Decking

March 16, 2018 Paris B 70 Comments

Last weekend, I undertook a small home improvement project that I’d been wanting to do for a long time. Ever since I moved in, really. But it was something people kept talking me out of, every time I brought up the subject.

“It’s too impractical!” “Your floor will be dirty!” “It’ll be too expensive!” “How will you clean it?”

That’s all the practical voices. Some externally, and to be fair, internally as well. I am a very practical person, and I certainly thought about all this. But deep down, I still wanted to do it.

ikea runnen decking tiles balcony
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So I said “To hell with it! I’ll figure it out later!” and I went ahead and laid down decking on my balcony. Much to my surprise, when I showed it off on Instagram stories, because I was so proud of myself LOL!, so many of you asked me about it, how I did it, where I got the materials etc. I decided I’d write a post about it. Incidentally, there wasn’t a lot of information out there when I was doing my research, so I reckon this will be helpful 🙂

I did not want to hack my floor tiles on the balcony (I wasn’t allowed to and on hind sight, it was probably a good idea not to). So, I needed decking that could sit over the existing tiles. There are many places you can look, but my research brought me to Ikea! 😀 When I got there, and poked around, I saw the ones I wanted were on sale. It was then a no-brainer 😛

These are the Ikea Runnen decking for outdoor use, and I’ll tell you how I did it, and what you need to know. Best of all, you can do it yourself. I did. It’s light enough that you can carry all the pieces you need home yourself, and fix it up yourself – no need to fuss around trying to get some guy to fix it up for you. When you want something done properly, just do it yourself! 🙂

Before you even begin, there are some things you have to think about and work out first.

ikea runnen decking grey and artificial grass
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  • The Ikea Runnen decking are interlocking tiles, and are meant to be laid on a flat, solid surface. So, don’t think about laying this on grass or earth in your garden. It can buckle and break or trip you up. This should be laid over your existing tile or cement floors.
  • Measure the area you want to install the decking on, taking a length and breadth measurement using centimeters (cm).  Each piece of Ikea Runnen decking tile is 30x30cm. You then want to divide your length and breadth by 30 to figure out how many pieces of decking tile you will need, and then divide that by 9 to figure out how many packs you need. Each pack of Ikea Runnen decking comes in a set of 9 pieces. Don’t bother measuring by area – you will be installing the tile by pieces, so you need to know how many pieces you will need. I was lucky, the tiles on my balcony were already 30x30cm tiles, so I just had to count the pieces.
  • In your measurements, allow for extra space around the edges. Once you interlock the tiles, the combined size will be slightly larger, as there is a slight gap between them (it is part of the design). So, if you are working with a fixed width, like a balcony, round down the number of tiles you need, not up. You can add decorative stones around the edges to fill in the gaps if you like. The exception will be if you’re using the Ikea Runnen decking with wood, which you may be able to cut to fit. I chose not to opt for that, even though I like wood, which I will explain below.
  • Choose the right decking for your area. My original idea was to get the brown wood stained ones. Those are wood pieces. However, I saw online, that when exposed to the elements, they fade and peel quickly. My balcony is exposed to the sun and rain, and here in the tropics, we get some crazy sun and rain. I didn’t want to risk my decking looking horrible after just a few months. So I scrapped the idea. Also, I was worried that the brown stain might run after the rain, and stain the tiles underneath, which would make it a nightmare to clean later. However, if you have an enclosed patio or lanai balcony then I think the wood will give a nice tropical touch to the area. It turned out for me that not using the wood design was a good choice, as I found the wood decking design too fussy. It is laid out in a 3-finger parquet design. I opted then for the grey plastic decking. It comes in light and dark grey, and I picked the light grey. You can lay them in a checkerboard pattern, or in straight lines, as I did, for a more visually pleasing appearance. The Ikea Runnen now also comes with artificial grass, so you can go for a faux grass balcony if you like!
  • Lay out your pattern before clipping in the tiles. This way, you can be sure you don’t make a mistake and have to unclip and redo as you go.

Ok, so now we’ve gotten that out of the way, how easy is it to install?

Well, very easy really. I’d read that you need a plastic hammer or some implement to knock the tiles together so they interlock. Well, you don’t. Not if you do it my way 🙂

how to install ikea runnen decking
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This is what the Ikea Runnen decking looks like. This is the light grey plastic one, and I did not take before-after photos of my balcony, not anticipating the great interest, but you can have a rough idea of what it looked like before in the photo 😛

The Ikea Runnen decking will have 2 smooth edges, and 2 edges with the bits to clip the other tile into. The clips will line up perfectly into the holes of the other piece. Always ensure that the smooth edges are on top and on your left.

What I found is that the Runnen tiles of the same make will clip together more easily. It was a little harder to clip the grey to the artificial grass, not because the holes don’t line up, but because of the extra padding of grass at the top. So, it will take a little time, if you’re mixing materials.

The best way to work is to kneel. Then, when you line up the clips with the holes, use the heel of your palm to smartly press on where you know the clips to be. Lean the weight of your body into it, and it will clip together quite satisfyingly. If it doesn’t, you’d know that they didn’t line up properly. After a while, you’ll get the hang of it 🙂

how to install ikea runnen decking
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Once I got them all in place, to be very sure that they are all clipped together, take a walk along the edges of where the seams meet. The bits that you miss will click into place, with the weight of your body. Yes, the heel of my palm did hurt at the end of the day, but that was because I used it to hit it into place. I worked out much later, that it was easier to just let the weight of your body do the heavy work 🙂

It is quite easy to care for. Just wipe it over with a cloth or mop, and I like how it feels when I step on it. For some reason, it makes my balcony less dusty than it used to be. There are some major infrastructure construction works going on around me, and I usually have a very dusty balcony that I don’t really want to go out on. Now, I feel much better and more comfortable going out there.

The Runnen tiles may be plastic, but they are sturdy, and feel comfortable. I don’t feel any uncomfortable clicking noises when I walk on them (there will naturally be a little noise, it is laid over existing tile after all) but it otherwise feels comfortable. I laid it out so it looks like long planks, but you can mix them up to suit your design.

The Ikea Runnen artificial grass decking is new, and I tested it out at Ikea before buying it. It feels soft to walk on, not scratchy or pokey underfoot at all. It does feel like quite high quality astroturf, and although it may look cheesy, I liked how the green broke up the grey tile in my design. I laid a checkerboard design right outside my door, so I’d always have a bit of green to look out on. I also did not lay decking all over my balcony, as I have a little plant section that can get wet and dirty when I work with my plants.

ikea runnen decking balcony
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Chair is the Ikea LÄCKÖ armchair and cushions are the Ikea VINTER 2017 cushion covers on sale

Still, I have to say that I am very happy with my little DIY job 🙂 It took me about 1.5-2 hours to get it all done but that was because I had to bumble along the way, trying to figure things out that you don’t have to, because I’ve already told you what to do! 😛

It’s a lovely little nook that I can now sit on to enjoy the evening breeze, drink in hand, while I browse online, or read. Best of all, my feet don’t feel dirty and dusty, and I love the tactile feel of (fake) grass under my feet 😀

Granted, this is still new. If I remember, I’ll try to update in a year’s time how I feel about it, and how it holds up to our tropical sun and rain. It has been quite hot lately, but I’m happy to report that there has been no buckling of the plastic yet. It is very sturdy, but light plastic. Maybe over a few years, it might get brittle. I would expect it. But I’ll enjoy it for now – sometimes, you just have to live in the now, and to hell with what comes tomorrow. Sometimes 🙂

Is this a project you have been thinking of attempting too? Have you done something similar, or perhaps have ideas on how to upkeep it?

I just wipe it down every other day so far. As I said, it seems to be surprisingly less dusty than my tiled floor used to be. How odd. Not that I’m complaining of course! LOL 😀 Do let me know if you found this useful, or if you have any other questions that I did not cover. I’m happy to help based on what little I know! 😀

Paris B

Ikea Runnen Decking (brown wood, light and dark grey) comes in a pack of 9 tiles and presently retail at RM99 | US$19.99 per pack. They are on sale at Ikea Malaysia at RM79 per pack until April 2018 (subject to change – check in store) The Ikea Runnen artifical grass decking is new and retails at RM155 | US$34.99 per pack of 9 pieces.

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About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

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70 comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

  1. NIKKI DALE says

    April 26, 2020 at 10:49 pm

    Hi there, do you have an update on how this tile is lasting?

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 13, 2020 at 11:31 am

      Hi, it’s lasted me very well. It has naturally faded a wee bit, but not too noticeable as it is grey. It is still going strong today

      Reply
  2. louis scalzo says

    June 4, 2020 at 8:54 am

    can i cover a 16 x 20 wood deck with runner 12 x 12 dark gray

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 13, 2020 at 11:32 am

      I’m afraid you’d have to do the math yourself on this one.

      Reply
  3. Lizzie Stevenson says

    July 8, 2020 at 6:39 pm

    Can anyone suggest the best tool for cutting the grey Runnen tiles? I’ve used a small hacksaw but it’s not strong enough. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Maureen Andrews says

    August 21, 2020 at 9:44 pm

    I found your piece inspiring enough to consider having a go at this. I have one question, our balcony/ patio is on the to floor no roof, the floor has a slight slope to the soak away for when it rains. Would this be a problem with these tiles?
    Yours looks great!!

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 13, 2020 at 11:34 am

      Hi, sorry for the late reply, but I don’t forsee a problem unless you get very strong winds where you are. My balcony is open to the elements, and my tiles seem fine still 🙂

      Reply
  5. GARGI says

    September 18, 2020 at 11:37 pm

    Hi . Hiw hsve yoir tiles fared after a yeat . My wooden deck tiles developed severe mold and weird litchens growing in crevices within 3 months of installation .

    Its heavy rains or sunny in simgapire .

    I had ro remkve all tiles . The grass did not devdlop mold.

    Ikea refuses havimg anythimg to do with it surprisingly even after shsring my case

    How do you take care

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 13, 2020 at 11:35 am

      Hi, mine are still in great condition. I did read about the wood tiles fading, staining and moulding which is why I did not go with the wood option. The plastic ones are great, although I’m not too big a fan of the grass ones now. I just wipe down the grey tiles with a mop and it’s all good.

      Reply
  6. Joan Holt says

    October 13, 2020 at 6:09 pm

    I live in Michigan and was wondering how it would hold up under snow as we have an unprotected patio. Have really wanted todo this for a long time!

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 13, 2020 at 11:36 am

      So sorry, Joan, but it’s just hot hot sun and heavy monsoon rains all year round here!

      Reply
  7. Kez Lid says

    February 4, 2021 at 1:53 am

    Hi there love this!! Thank you, any idea if this may hold up on uneven cement tiles at all? So desperate to do my yard but worried they might not work well. What do you think could be an issue with uneven floor? Thank you for insight!!!

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 1, 2021 at 1:18 pm

      Hi, it will wobble on uneven floors so might not be the best option

      Reply
  8. Thomas Stein says

    April 6, 2021 at 10:19 am

    Thank you for your post. i am considering purchasing this product to place on a roof deck (on top of a rubber roof). I’m trying to understand what keeps the tiles in place from moving? It doesnt seem that the tiles get secured to the ground they rest on… especially at the edge as you walk onto the tiles area, you dont kick it up or trip on it?

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 21, 2021 at 5:15 pm

      No the edges are not secured but I don’t find it to be a problem as long as they lay flat.

      Reply
  9. Derek says

    April 20, 2021 at 8:50 am

    Hi, I’m thinking of doing the same to my balcony. I was wondering… Will the underneath of the decking gets too dirty or moldy that it requires regular cleaning (since it will be exposed to rain and dust)?

    Reply
  10. Corinne says

    May 28, 2021 at 4:45 am

    Loved this review! How have the tiles held up after all this time? Have they become brittle?

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 21, 2021 at 5:09 pm

      Hi Corinne, they didn’t become brittle. I removed them recently because I got bored, but they seem to have held up quite well

      Reply
  11. Louise says

    June 7, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    Hi
    Does the grey stain easily? How did it hold up?

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 21, 2021 at 5:07 pm

      Hi, it didn’t stain on mine. It was fairly easy to wipe clean and it held up very well in my weather (tropics)

      Reply
  12. Jessica Sager says

    July 4, 2021 at 3:21 am

    So beautiful! We are planning to buy these tiles for our 5th floor balcony. It’s made from galvanized steel, a bright silver that reflects the sun directly onto our southern/western facing windows – the heat it creates is unreal. We can’t open the windows once the sun has saturated that area, it’s like opening an oven door – no exaggeration in the least!

    We live in Seattle and just went through a historic heat wave – temps topped 109, and by the final evening our front room, where the balcony, was 105 indoors (central a/c is a luxury around here!). The next day I laid down dark blue blankets along side the largest stretch of the balcony, under the largest window, weighted them down and although it was “only” 95 that day, we could actually leave the window open and even lounge on the couch without too much discomfort.

    My only concern about these tiles is drainage – our balcony is not covered and being Seattle, we get a lot of rain, too! My husband pointed out we could remove it in the fall, but it would be easier to let it be. Our balcony floor is ventilated already, so that water doesn’t collect, but I just want to make sure there’s enough space for water to drain through the tiles as well. Of all the photos on IKEA’s site, they don’t have an angle that shows where water would drain. What is your experience so far? Have you had any standing water on these tiles?

    You did a marvelous job – I wish I could be relaxing in a cozy space like that right now!

    Reply
  13. Andrew says

    August 28, 2021 at 10:44 pm

    Paris, this article was super informative and helpful. Was on the fence about the wood vs. grey Runnen tiles and you sold me on them, and how simple they are to put in.

    Hope you’re still enjoying them. Thanks to 2018 you for posting this.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 21, 2021 at 5:02 pm

      Happy to hear you found it helpful, Andrew. I hope you’re enjoying your tiles too!

      Reply
  14. Niema says

    September 14, 2023 at 11:33 pm

    Hi
    I just purchased the wood style, however I will exchange for the dark grey which originally wanted. However my balcony has wood floors like a typical patio is is safe to lay them over?

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      September 15, 2023 at 3:33 pm

      Hi it should be safe to lay over as there is no hacking or installation. But your wood may stain if you don’t lift and clean under the tiles from time to time

      Reply
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My Women Stuff by Paris B

Welcome to My Women Stuff, a beauty blog based in Malaysia, written by veteran blogger, Paris B. What you can expect is honesty, critical views & a healthy dose of shared life lessons sprinkled amongst beauty product reviews. What you shouldn't expect is a page filled with unnecessary narcissistic photos. MWS is a blog for those who love to read, because we love to write! Read More about MWS and Paris B

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