Everything Vinyl Decking

​Ready for that backyard facelift? Enjoy your deck this summer and every summer for years with vinyl decking. Here is everything you need to know before you make the final decision:

Vinyl vs. Wood and Composite

Vinyl decking, wood decking, and composite decking are typically the most common options people consider when renovating their deck. If you’re considering any of these options, we have some recommendations!

To start, we would suggest going with a vinyl deck over a wood deck any day of the week, here’s why: lumber prices have been skyrocketing over the last few years, and vinyl decking is the best way to reclaim space underneath the deck.

If you have a walkout deck, which many people do in British Columbia and Alberta, it gives you that little bit of extra space that you already paid for. With wood plank decking, it tends to get beaten up with the unfriendly Canadian climate, whereas vinyl decking is built to handle the harsh Canadian temperatures.

Now, when it composite decking vs. vinyl, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend one over the other. What matters most is what you are looking for out of your deck. Their different purposes are; composite decking is excellent for letting water through your deck, so you will never get any pooling or build-up; vinyl decking is waterproof and protects anything underneath of the deck. Vinyl decking is much more cost effective on general, as well.

How much does a vinyl deck cost?

Now, to the important stuff: how much is this thing going to cost? Vinyl decking can range in pricing depending on the flashings, adhesives, and the vinyl you’re looking at; typically speaking, it is around eight to sixteen dollars per square foot.

​Pricing can also change depending on the thickness of the vinyl membrane you choose, the product warranty, and the required preparation to install it. Please keep in mind that these prices may change due to market fluctuations. 

What is the BEST vinyl membrane?

The answer for this one will range depending on who you ask, different companies, installers, whose opinion. At Canada’s Best, we believe that one of the best products for the smooth back is Dec-Tec. It is a walkable, decorative, and durable roofing-grade membrane. For felt back, we use a few different products; however, it all depends on what is desired by the engineer. However, all vinyl decking membrane is all minimum 60 mils thick. ​

How long does vinyl decking last?

​Vinyl decking can last up to twenty, twenty-five years. However, it can depend on the pattern you choose. If you have glass rays magnified through glass railings onto your vinyl and then glass windows reflecting rays onto your vinyl, it’s going to take a beating, especially if you are South or South West Facing. However, if you are North facing with picket railing, it will typically last longer. 

How do I maintain a vinyl deck?

You won’t believe how easy it is! The best way to maintain your vinyl deck is to make sure that you don’t use any harsh chemicals when it comes time to clean your deck. We highly recommend using a garden hose, warm tap water if it is extra dirty, and a push broom. If you feel that isn’t doing the trick diluting non-toxic dish soap, like Dawn, is also safe. Washing off your deck each spring and fall is the best way to maintain it; always make sure to give it an extra scrub if you have used any sort of rock salt or ice-melting chemicals on it throughout the winter. Lastly, make sure to always clean up any spills on your vinyl deck before the sun comes out, potentially “baking” the stain into your deck.