Pros and Cons of Vinyl Decking

Rising in popularity over the last two decades, vinyl decking is one of our favorite deck materials. Our customers love the benefits and customization that come with these decks. While vinyl decks have many advantages over other deck types, they can have some drawbacks. Learn more about the pros and cons of vinyl decking to decide if it’s a good fit for you and your family.

What is Vinyl Decking?

Vinyl decking, also called PVC decking, is made with polyvinyl chloride. This is a synthetic plastic that’s known for its durability and resistance to moisture. To keep decks low-maintenance and long-lasting, vinyl decking doesn’t contain any wood fillers or organic materials. Although vinyl decking is made entirely from plastic, these decks look like real wood, have a realistic woodgrain texture, and are made with recycled materials.

Our Recommendation: TimberTech PVC Decking

As technology has advanced through the years, so has vinyl decking. During this time, we’ve found TimberTech PVC to be consistently high-quality and ahead of the curve. From the start, we’ve been committed to using the best materials and brands available. Now, more than 20 years later, TimberTech PVC continues to meet and exceed our high standards.

Pros of Vinyl Decking

Pro: Long Lifespan

One of the biggest benefits of vinyl decking is its long lifespan. Unlike wood and composite decking, vinyl decking doesn’t crack, rot, or split. Vinyl decks are waterproof, so exposure to rainwater, pool water, and snow won’t lead to moisture damage and deterioration. With vinyl decking, you’ll never have to deal with deck boards warping or harboring mold and mildew.

Vinyl decks outperform both wood and composite decks. You can expect your vinyl deck to last a lifetime. According to TimberTech, their PVC decking lasts 50 or more years. In contrast, composite decking lasts around 25-30+ years, while wood decking lasts around 10-15 years.

Pro: Low-Maintenance

Countless homeowners love vinyl decking for its low-maintenance, durable design. These decks stay in excellent shape with minimal upkeep and never require staining, sanding, or sealing. Year after year, your vinyl deck will look beautiful and vibrant, needing only the occasional rinse and cleaning. In fact, these decks are even easier to clean than composite or wood decking. Anyone looking for a year-round, low-maintenance deck will love vinyl decking.

Pro: Safer for Kids & Pets

For those who have young kids, pets, and/or grandchildren, vinyl decking is a great choice. As mentioned earlier, vinyl decks don’t split, crack, or splinter. This keeps bare feet and paws safe from splinters and cuts. You also won’t have to worry about insects burrowing into your deck or uneven deck boards sagging from rot.

If you’re building a pool deck or live in a rainy climate, TimberTech PVC is the brand you want. Their PVC decks are built to be significantly less slippery than leading composite brands. Whether faced with chlorine or rain, TimberTech PVC decks remain slip-resistant and safe.

Pro: Large Selection of Colors

Vinyl decking has a large assortment of colors to choose from, so you can easily match your deck to your home or choose a beautifully contrasting style. These colors can also be used for deck railings, entry gates, stairs, built-in seating, skirting, storage, and more. With vinyl decking, your entire deck can have a polished, cohesive look that matches perfectly.

You won’t ever have to stain or paint your vinyl deck to keep it looking new. TimberTech’s PVC decking is designed to have permanent, fade-resistant color that stays vibrant for decades and retains its realistic wood appearance.

Cons of Vinyl Decking

Con: Can’t be Painted or Stained

While many homeowners love that they never have to paint or stain their vinyl decks, some may see this as a downside. For those who want the ability to change their deck’s color, vinyl decking will not be a good fit. If you try to paint a vinyl deck, the paint won’t adhere to the deck’s surface but instead bubble, flake, and peel off. Despite being unable to change the color of vinyl decking, there are many ways you can switch up the styling of your deck with outdoor rugs, furniture, plants, cushions, and more.

Con: Higher Cost Upfront

One downside of vinyl decking is the upfront cost. Vinyl decks are more expensive than wood decks; however, they end up costing less than wood decks over time. Wood decks don’t last as long as vinyl decks, needing to be replaced around 15 years after being built. During those 15 years, wood decks require routine maintenance to keep them in good condition.

With a wood deck, you’ll spend time and money on required upkeep like staining, sanding, and sealing. Vinyl decks don’t have these additional maintenance costs and still significantly outlast wood decks. To ensure your vinyl deck materials are of the highest quality, TimberTech PVC decking comes with a 50-year fade and stain warranty. In addition to material warranties, vinyl decks built by our team at Decks R Us are also protected by our Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty.

Con: Gets Hotter than Wood

When exposed to high temperatures, vinyl decking gets hotter than wood but stays cooler than composite. While vinyl decks can retain heat, there are ways to prevent or lessen this. You can reduce how hot your vinyl deck gets by choosing a lighter floor color. Additionally, you can block the sun from heating up your deck by adding shade in the form of a canopy, umbrella, pergola, or roof.

Learn More about Vinyl Deck Options

At Decks R Us, we’ve been designing and installing vinyl decks for over 2 decades. We proudly serve homeowners and businesses throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Castle County, Delaware.

All of our project estimates are to the penny, so you don’t have to worry about hidden costs. To get inspiration and explore real vinyl deck designs, check out our project gallery. For personalized estimates and questions, give us a call at 717-407-5623 or send us a message. We are happy to discuss options with you!