We’re going to have a 60 SF balcony with a spiral staircase leading up to a 120 SF deck on our new house.  I plan on sloping the rough deck appropriately, but I’m unsure of the best method to coat it.  I don’t plan on doing it myself- I just want to know what to ask for.  We live in Southern California and what I’ve seen done on other new construction projects looked like a multi-part acrylic system that had silica sand spread about.  In the inital process, they coated well into the living area and used a screed stop out on the deck.  I’m not sure what this system is called, but it did not appear to be very thick or durable.

Can someone help with some options here?  Also, I’m concerned about the pad, or point, at which the base of the spiral staircase will be attached.  Would it be a good idea to build up that area so it sits a little higher than the rest of the balcony?

Thanks for the help everyone!