Vinyl, composite or wood? in Shawnigan Lake and the Cowichan Valley
Vinyl vs composite vs wood decking: three decks, three different jobs
Between the traditional wood crowd, the sleek composite fans and the people swearing by vinyl, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Here is how I see the three.
A lot of people confuse vinyl decking with PVC planks, but they are completely different animals. True vinyl decking is a heavy-duty, continuous waterproof membrane that is glued and sheet-welded directly onto a plywood subfloor.
Vinyl decking
Personally, I do a lot of vinyl work, and I love the fully waterproof nature of it. It does something that neither wood nor composite can ever do.
If your deck is up high, an elevated second storey, or sitting over a walk-out basement, that 100% waterproof seal means you get a bone-dry storage space or a covered patio underneath.
The good
Composite decking
If you want a traditional plank look but hate the idea of spending a perfectly good summer weekend with a paint roller, composite is usually where people look next. These boards blend wood fibres with recycled plastics to create a solid, heavy-duty plank.
The good
Keep in mind
Pressure treated wood
Pressure treated is usually the default option, because the price tag is friendly compared to the alternatives. If you like the natural warmth of wood grain, nothing else gives you that.
The good
Keep in mind
Side by side
Vinyl
- Waterproof
- Yes, a sealed membrane
- Underneath
- Dry storage or a covered patio
- Looks
- Flooring-style patterns
- Upkeep
- An occasional wash
- Upfront cost
- Ask for a quote
Composite
- Waterproof
- No, water drains through
- Underneath
- Gets wet
- Looks
- Wood grain planks that hold their colour
- Upkeep
- Soap and water
- Upfront cost
- Highest, about double wood
Pressure treated
- Waterproof
- No, water drains through
- Underneath
- Gets wet
- Looks
- Natural wood grain
- Upkeep
- Pressure wash, sand and stain
- Upfront cost
- Lowest
Decking questions
Is vinyl decking the same as PVC decking?
No. PVC decking comes as planks. Vinyl decking is a continuous waterproof membrane, glued and sheet-welded onto a plywood subfloor, so the whole deck is sealed.
Can I use the space under a vinyl deck?
Yes. A vinyl deck is sealed, so the space underneath stays dry for storage or a covered patio. That's why it suits second-storey decks and decks over a walk-out basement.
Is composite decking worth the cost?
Composite easily costs double the material of pressure treated wood, but the boards don't splinter or rot and hold their colour for decades, so you skip years of sanding and staining.
How long does a pressure treated deck last?
About 15 to 20 years, as long as you keep up with pressure washing, sanding and staining so it doesn't rot out.
No single winner, just the right one for the job.
When you look at the three side by side, there isn't a single winner, just the right one for the job. Not sure which suits your deck? I'll talk it through with you when I come by to quote.
Your project is next.
(250) 701-5173- Hours
- Mon to Sat, 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Sunday closed Emergency services available
- Service area
- Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, Cobble Hill, Duncan, Ladysmith and the Cowichan Valley
- We accept
