So You Want a Vinyl Deck? But Do You Really?

You’ve decided it’s time to replace your old deck surface or build a new deck, and somewhere along the way you’ve arrived at what seems like the obvious solution:

“I need a vinyl deck.”

But do you?

Before you start searching for a vinyl decking contractor, it may be worth taking a moment to think about what you really want from your new deck.

Chances are, vinyl itself isn’t actually on your wish list.

What you probably want is a deck that looks great, keeps the space underneath dry, stands up to our West Coast weather, doesn’t require endless maintenance and—most importantly—won’t have you doing this all over again in a few years.

And if those are your priorities, there are alternatives to vinyl that deserve a closer look.

At NewPort Dry Deck, we don’t install vinyl decking. Instead, we offer two long-lasting alternatives: OmegaDeck polyurethane waterproof decking and composite decking.

Here’s why.

Why Has Vinyl Decking Become the Default?

Vinyl has been used on decks throughout Vancouver, the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley for decades, so it’s understandable that homeowners often use “vinyl deck” almost as shorthand for a waterproof deck.

Vinyl decking consists of manufactured PVC sheets that are laid over the deck surface. Because those sheets come in predetermined widths, most decks require multiple pieces of vinyl to complete the installation.

And that means seams.

Initially, a professionally installed vinyl deck can look great and provide effective waterproofing. But your deck doesn’t live in a climate-controlled showroom.

It lives outside.

Rain. Snow. Freezing temperatures. Summer heat. UV exposure. Patio furniture. Planters. Pets. Barbecues. Foot traffic.

Year after year, your deck has to deal with all of it.

The Problem Isn’t Necessarily Vinyl. It’s the Weak Points.

One of the most important differences between a vinyl deck and a polyurethane waterproof membrane such as OmegaDeck is surprisingly simple.

Vinyl has seams. OmegaDeck doesn’t.

Vinyl sheets must be joined together, generally using heat-welded seams. There are also edges and transitions around walls, doors, stairs, posts and other structures.

Those areas can become vulnerable points as a deck ages.

A small opening may not look particularly serious from above. Unfortunately, water doesn’t need much of an opening.

Once moisture gets beneath the surface, it can reach the plywood and potentially contribute to mould, rot and deterioration that may remain hidden until the damage becomes much more extensive.

That’s especially important here on the West Coast, where keeping water out isn’t an occasional concern. It’s one of the most important jobs your deck surface has.

What If Your Waterproof Deck Had No Seams at All?

That’s one of the reasons we use OmegaDeck.

Instead of rolling manufactured sheets over your deck, OmegaDeck is a liquid-applied polyurethane waterproofing system installed in multiple bonded layers.

The result is one continuous waterproof surface.

No sheet seams. No welded joints. No glued-on pieces.

Because the polyurethane is applied directly to the deck, it can also form a continuous seal around many of the areas where waterproofing can become complicated—including walls, patio doors and other transitions.

For a homeowner, the important part isn’t the chemistry behind the product.

It’s knowing that you’ve eliminated one of the most common potential weak points of a traditional vinyl deck.

Then There’s Durability

Decks are meant to be used.

Chairs get dragged across them. Planters get moved. Kids play on them. Dogs run across them. Things get dropped.

A vinyl surface can potentially be punctured, ripped or damaged. And damage to a waterproof surface is more than a cosmetic concern when the structure underneath depends on that surface to keep water out.

OmegaDeck is designed differently.

The polyurethane membrane bonds to the deck substrate to create a tough, durable surface that doesn’t rip or tear like sheet vinyl. It’s also easy to clean and available in a variety of colours and textures.

NewPort Dry Deck backs professionally installed OmegaDeck with a 20-year waterproofing warranty, giving homeowners long-term reassurance that their deck is protected.

But What If Waterproofing Isn’t Your Main Concern?

That’s where composite decking comes into the conversation.

Not every deck needs a waterproof membrane.

For example, if you have an elevated deck where water can drain harmlessly through the boards and there isn’t a finished living space, storage area or patio that needs to remain dry underneath, composite decking may be an excellent option.

Composite gives you the attractive appearance of traditional deck boards without the ongoing staining, painting and maintenance normally associated with wood.

It’s durable, attractive, available in numerous colours and styles, and won’t rot, splinter or require annual staining.

So rather than beginning with:

“Do I want vinyl?”

A better question might be:

“What do I need my deck to do?”

OmegaDeck or Composite: Which Is Right for You?

The answer depends largely on your deck and how the space is used.

Consider OmegaDeck when waterproofing is critical.

If your deck sits above living space, a patio, garage, entrance or another area that needs protection from rain, a seamless waterproof membrane can be an ideal solution.

OmegaDeck gives you the finished walking surface and waterproof membrane in one system.

Consider composite when you want the look of deck boards.

If drainage through the deck isn’t an issue and you’re looking for the appearance of wood without the maintenance, composite decking may make more sense.

Both give homeowners an alternative to automatically choosing vinyl simply because vinyl is familiar.

Think Beyond the Initial Installation

The price of a deck isn’t just what you pay on installation day.

There is also the question of how long the surface will last, how it will age, what maintenance it will require and what happens if something eventually needs repair.

Replacing a failed waterproof surface can become considerably more expensive if water has damaged the plywood or structure underneath.

That’s why choosing a deck surface should be about more than finding the lowest initial price.

You’re protecting part of your home.

So…Do You Really Want a Vinyl Deck?

Maybe what you actually want is something else.

You want to enjoy your deck instead of worrying about it.

You want something attractive.

You want something durable.

You want less maintenance.

And, if your deck protects an area underneath, you want to know that water is staying where it belongs—outside your home.

Vinyl may be the product you’ve heard of.

But that doesn’t automatically make it the best solution for your deck.

At NewPort Dry Deck, we specialize in helping homeowners throughout Metro Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley find long-lasting solutions for their outdoor spaces. Whether that means a seamless OmegaDeck polyurethane waterproof membrane or beautiful, low-maintenance composite decking, we’ll help you choose the option that makes sense for your home.

Before You Ask for Vinyl, Ask About Your Options

Planning a new deck or wondering what to do with an aging vinyl deck?

Talk to NewPort Dry Deck about the alternatives before making your decision.

A better deck may start by simply asking a better question.