Concrete or Blue Metal Gravel as flooring in bird aviary???

[Tropical]

IMHO, I think properly sealed concrete would be better!

I'm starting to think that too otherwise I'll have to constantly be changing the bedding and since this is on my condo's 2nd floor balcony that would be a hassle because I think that bedding would weigh a LOT! I was surprised as to how incredibly heavy sand is! I'm a very annal clean freak... will have shoes off policy (once my floors are renovated will never walk into my condo with shoes on) so it seems concrete (that sealed concrete stuff mentioned in this thread) for bird aviary will be cleaner.

I just hope I can make the aviary more "invisible" because I think if I had aviary that looked that this on my condo's balcony I might get in trouble with HOA... they told me they don't mind bird cages on balconies but I don''t know about big bird aviaries.

Whereas this aviary that has less wooden bars is a lot less noticeable I hope!

 

[SailBoat]

And, prior to all of this inquire, you have confirmed by reading with detail and than confirming by writing that your Condo Association will even allow such a structure on the balcony of your Condo.

As you are likely aware, once you pass beyond the sliding door(s) on the balcony what is placed and occurs on the balcony is well defined in every Condo 'Restrictions' document that I have ever read. Where a cage that can be easily moved in and out of your Condo is commonly not a subject much notice. A semi-permanent structure is seen in a total different light.

Since you have referenced on several occasions that one of your goals is to 'hide' the semi-permanent structure, I'm guess you known and that you are try to ebb around the Rules.

This is not a wise choice and will only lead to one or more of your fellow Condo Owners reporting you or as part of the normal inspection of the property it is found!

I will pre-classify this Post as snooty!

 

[Tropical]

I am thinking of simply turn my entire balcony into an aviary without actually building and aviary then I don't have to worry about people seeing a big aviary on my balcony. I just have to figure out how to make it so they can't chew through the screen since my balcony is a screened in balcony...

Then I have to block off the stucco so they can't chew the stucco and get poisoned....

I only plan to live in this condo for 4 years max HOPEFULLY less so this won't be a permanent thing but I cannot function nor focus on business with the way things are now with 'Nut being all crazy all the time... 'Nut really needs an aviary. He is nothing like Rascal who LOVES to just sit on my thigh as I work on my lap top all day... this is what he demands to do.. he has always been like this super duper laid back. He is such an EASY bird I love him!!

I can also make the balcony an enclosed space by adding windows next to the screen. This is allowed by HOA and would allow me to put anything on the balcony because it would then be considered my interior living space (HOA told me if I do window treatments for the newly installed windows to be make sure it is clear or white in color)... then my balcony will no longer a balcony but rather an air conditioned sun room (this would also increase square footage of my condo by about 84 square feet). This would be expensive as I would have to get hurricane proof sliding doors as stated by HOA. Another condo identical to mine did this with their balcony... I will find pic...

EDIT: Do tiels usually chew through screens? Chew holes in the screen? I need to secure the screen somehow so they can't chew through it. Oh brother, I really need to move back to CA into house where I can have aviary with no headaches or HOA worries!

 

[Tropical]

I have decided it is too risky for me to build aviary to keep on my condo's balcony I might chage my mind but I am starting to think it is indeed a bad idea... HOA lady is very nice she told me even my huge bird cage is not a problem... but who knows... neighbors might complain especially since 'Nut is not quiet when he is outside.

I need to either install windows to "replace" the screen of my screened in balcony. It won't replace it of course... the windows will just be installed in front of the screen to turn my balcony into an extension of my interior living space or I need to somehow "tweak" the screen so my tiel can't chew through it and I will turn entire balcony into their aviary without actually building a structure.

 

[Kentuckienne]

I wonder...you know, you don't really need a concrete base. You could use Formica over plywood. If there's a Habitat Restore or other building material salvage nearby you could even pick up used countertop for next to nothing. That would be lighter weight and just as durable and easy to clean. You could even fasten the framing for the screen to the outside edge.

If the tiels were to fly to the screen and grab it the way the birds do at our feeder they could make a hole which would tempt them to chew. But another layer of metal screen or stainless mesh inside that would be safe, wouldn't it? Then you're not really building an aviary, just adding more screen and some durable flooring.

 

[Tropical]

I wonder...you know, you don't really need a concrete base. You could use Formica over plywood. If there's a Habitat Restore or other building material salvage nearby you could even pick up used countertop for next to nothing. That would be lighter weight and just as durable and easy to clean. You could even fasten the framing for the screen to the outside edge.

If the tiels were to fly to the screen and grab it the way the birds do at our feeder they could make a hole which would tempt them to chew. But another layer of metal screen or stainless mesh inside that would be safe, wouldn't it? Then you're not really building an aviary, just adding more screen and some durable flooring.

Thanks, that seems like it would work better than building an aviary. I was already planning on either installing tiles or sealing the concrete. I was leaning more towards sealing the concrete as it would be cheaper than installing the tiles.

When you say stainless mesh are you referring to something like this Order STAINLESS 304 EXPANDED in Small Quantities at OnlineMetals.com

I'm worried that might be an eye sore to neighbors? I wonder if there are other things that are similar but more "screen like" that tiels can't chew through...

 

[Flboy]

Adding windows might really be the way to go! You will be adding value to the property, and this is in an increasing market right now so it will help you in four years and you also know that it is a proven to be accepted because it has already been done! As for the floor, I was going to suggest tile, to save money you do not even have to have it installed just place it with a zero grout line. That would only be about eight boxes of tile, and you could pick up most any discontinued line from Home Depot and it would work very well!
A totally different direction, would be to pick up a couple of flight cages, their design tends to allow them to be assembled together into a much larger cage, or for under $300 pick up this:
https://www.wayfair.com/AandE-Cage-...r-AEC1033.html?PiID[]=3277976&source=hotdeals

 

[Tropical]

Adding windows might really be the way to go! You will be adding value to the property, and this is in an increasing market right now so it will help you in four years and you also know that it is a proven to be accepted because it has already been done! As for the floor, I was going to suggest tile, to save money you do not even have to have it installed just place it with a zero grout line. That would only be about eight boxes of tile, and you could pick up most any discontinued line from Home Depot and it would work very well!
A totally different direction, would be to pick up a couple of flight cages, their design tends to allow them to be assembled together into a much larger cage, or for under $300 pick up this:
https://www.wayfair.com/AandE-Cage-...r-AEC1033.html?PiID[]=3277976&source=hotdeals

Thanks for the suggestions. Every single inch of this condo needs to be renovated. It was bought as a foreclosure in REALLY bad shape (AC unit, water heater... all 5 windows must be replaced and HOA forces hurricane proof windows... very very expensive!!)... I've already spent about 20K on urgent numerous repairs... new AC unit, new water heatr, popcorn removal knockdown applied, interior painting, shelving installed in office, bedroom and laundry room, blinds installed etc... this included appliances though... I have gotten a lot of work done thus far but it needs at least 30K worth of more work (thanks to all the windows needing to be replaced with hurricane proof ones etc.. floors need to be redone... kitchen gutted with wall cut open.... along with both bathrooms gutted... hurricane shutters etc)... I will be lucky to just break even and I have handyman who works at cheap rates!

I would like to make the balcony an enclosed space then I don't have to worry about 'Nut's screaming causing problems with the neighbors or them chewing through the screen but all these additional costs is getting to be insane for this condo

This condo will be a rental property in a few yrs... I know I will already be spending way too much on this condo to ever justify it being a rental, oh well :34: