How to Winterize Your Vinyl Deck in 3 Steps

There’s no more denying it. The days are shorter. The temperature is colder. Winter is on its way.

If you’ve got a covered deck, you might use it all year round, but decks exposed to the rain and snow tend to get neglected through the winter months.

There’s a few things you can do to keep your vinyl sundeck in top shape to survive the harsher winter weather and be ready for a simple cleaning come spring.

#1 – First, if you have not already done so, pack away any seasonal furniture or planters stored on your deck. When you are not using your deck frequently, you may not notice the debris or dirt that can accumulate around the edges of temporary furniture or fixtures of your deck, making for a tougher scrubbing in the spring.

#2 – Clear any organic debris that has accumulated. If you are lucky enough to have a lot of trees around your deck, that good fortune is often is accompanied by leaves and twigs that autumn weather can send to your deck in wet, mucky piles. Be sure to remove organic matter before it starts to decompose as this can lead to stains on your vinyl deck that can be difficult to remove.

#3 – Wash your deck with a mild cleaner and rinse thoroughly. While it is easy to brush this one off the list until spring, you can make your spring clean a little easier if you perform once before winter. You can use a vinyl deck cleaner for a gentle clean but if you would like to substitute for a more common household cleaner we have found that diluted Cascade powdered dish detergent works well also. Simply scrub with a soft bristled brush or broom. No matter what product you use to clean, make sure it is safe for use on vinyl and be sure to rinse well so there is no chemical residue remaining.

Now your deck is ready for winter, and probably looks so great that you will still want to use it every chance you get.

If you do access your vinyl deck through the winter months, have some rock salt or other snow melting chemicals on hand to deal with slippery ice and snow. Just remember that as soon as the spring weather arrives, you must rinse those chemicals off your deck to get keep your vinyl from premature aging.

Depending on the amount of snow accumulation you get, you may also want to be sure to have a plastic edged snow shovel on hand. Avoid the use of metal edged shovels on your vinyl deck so there is no chance of puncturing the membrane.

If you have been considering a deck renovation, don’t wait until spring or summer when deck builders are at their busiest. Start the conversation now to get an estimate on your decking project.

In many areas, Duradek installers can take care of re-surfacing your deck with Duradek vinyl all year round.  

Duradek installers are a very talented and creative bunch of contractors. Communicate with your Duradek contractor and don’t be afraid to ask him to make use of any scrap bits of left over vinyl (if there are any). Little, left-over vinyl remnants work well to place under metal planters to stop rust from developing on your permanent deck; and creative uses like this mini snow slide protects the landing of a patio stairway from snow accumulation.

In the fall and winter months, deck contractors have a little more time than they do in the summer to accommodate extra requests.

Drop of Your Coats for Kids at Duradek in 2015

20th ANNUAL Coats For Kids - "20 Days of Giving"

#Coats4Kids @GVHBA

Once again, Duradek is proud to take part in The Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association (GVHBA) Coats for Kids campaign in support of the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau and Surrey Christmas Bureau, two groups whose many initiatives help to provide a brighter Christmas for families in need.

This year as the 20th annual year, we are specifically looking for; "COATS & JACKETS FOR TWEENS AND TEENS: AGES 12 - 18 YEARS OLD". 

The 2015 Coats for Kids will run for 20 days from Friday, November 13 to Wednesday, December 2.

You are welcome to drop of new coats, but gently used coats are more than appreciated!

Last year Duradek was one of 46 member companies of the GVHBA at 67 locations in 13 municipalities that served as a coat drop-off site.

The response to Coats for Kids 2014 was heartwarming as Lower Mainland residents donated more than 4,000 coats, scarves, gloves, blankets and new unwrapped toys and gifts for distribution to children, teenagers and adults.

Duradek, a proud member of the GVHBA – We’ve got you covered!


Drop off at our Head Office location in Surrey, BC - 8288 129 Street, Surrey

Roof Leaks, Repair Delays and the El Nino Influence

Thanks to the influence of El Nino, roofers and repair contractors are in top demand as home owners scramble to prepare for the wet, stormy weather.

Fixing old, leaky roofing is a top priority but preparation has turned into moisture management for some as many roofing companies are already booked through the fall and winter.

But be cautious when pleading for the services of a roofing contractor because when demand for a service is this high, the scam artists smell opportunity. It is important to stick with a reputable contractor, even if you have to deal with tarps and buckets while you wait. Verify that a contractor is licensed, ask if the company is insured and always get everything in writing. While many contractors may ask for a deposit, never pay for the full amount of the repairs in advance.

The influence from El Nino is causing a surge in roofing services from coast-to-coast across the lower US states.

The Weather Network reported that El Nino is strengthening and has an 80% chance to run into spring 2016; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports a Strong El Nino sets the stage for 2015-2016 winter weather with wetter-than-average conditions most likely in the Southern Tier of the United States, from central and southern California, across Texas, to Florida, and up the East Coast to southern New England.

California Waits for Roofing Contractors

As California residents prepare for El Nino, Bay Valley Contractors in Walnut Creek has seen business increase by about 100% over the past few months. The company now has a waiting list of up to two months for new roofs and up to three months for roof repairs.

People along the California coast remember the El Nino of 1997/98 and are doing their best to be prepared, so California roofing contractors are busier than ever. Many home owners who have procrastinated roof repairs are relying on tarps and buckets to get them through until a roofing contractor can get to them.

One roofing company in California reported they are working 6-days a week since September and are already booked into June of 2016 as reported on Channel 5 News.

Texas Roofing Contractors are in Top Demand

In Texas, KENS TV in Texas reports that record-breaking rainfall is a challenge for roofers who have been swamped since last May with a record breaking rainfall, the wettest month on record since 1895. Now, after an extremely wet October, roofers are falling further behind in the demand for roof repairs and replacements.

In Pennsylvania, high winds in late October tore the roof off of an auto about a mile south of Latrobe where wind gusts of about 40 mph reportedly blew through in the early morning hours of Oct. 28th. While trying to secure the site, wind gusts of 35 – 50 mph were impeding progress. It was also reported that a mobile home in Derry Township also had its roof tore off due to the high winds and there was even an incident of a building collapse.

Flat Roof Waterproofing

There is nothing we can do to stop Mother Nature, but we can protect our homes by using reputable contractors and quality products like Duradek vinyl membranes on our flat roof decks.

One of the great benefits of Duradek vinyl as a roofing solution for flat roofs subject to pedestrian traffic is that it can withstand extreme weather and protects your building envelope better than many other options out there. Duradek does not require any on-going maintenance to keep performing, and once installed its waterproofing performance is warrantied for 10 years.

If you have a flat roof deck that needs waterproofing attention talk to one of our experienced Duradek installers near you.

For California, Texas and all other U.S. states, contact our Duradek U.S. Head Office at duradekus@duradek.com or use our ‘find a dealer’ locator.

Vinyl Decking – Understanding the Difference in Backing Types

There are 3 different types of backing for vinyl decking…each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. If manufactured by a reputable company, each type can have roofing approval and each type is perfectly suitable for your deck.

What is actually more important than the type of backing on the vinyl is the quality of the contractor installing it.

As the saying goes … “A bad Contractor can screw up even the best of products.”

There is a woven cloth backing, a non-woven backing (referred to as fuzzy-backed), and a PVC backed product. A good contractor will be able to do a good job with any of these three backing types.

Characteristics of Each Backing Type

Download “Compare Membrane Backing Options” (296 KB .pdf) for an overview of the following information.

Woven Back – Type 3 (non-embedded fabric) Class B (exposed roofing) Membrane

Adhesion – Adhesive sticks well to woven backing and contact adhesives used allow for a wide window of application in all seasons (but be aware contact adhesives are product specific and not available “off the shelf”).

Heat Welding – Manufactured with a solid color throughout which helps create a solid “bleed out”. The fabric backing melts away to create a strong vinyl-to-vinyl weld. Welding results exceed industry standards, but requires more skill to master installation techniques.

Details – Fabric backing can be removed and vinyl easily manipulated for successful detailing. Standard details are easily attainable without extra preparation or expensive, pre-manufactured details.

Other – Easier to work with in hot weather with a good combination of strength and elasticity. Because skill for installation is mandatory, Duradek (followed by some other manufacturers of woven back vinyl) is only sold to trained contractors, and not available to the general public.

Non-Woven Back – Type 3 (non-embedded fabric) Class B (exposed roofing) Membrane

Adhesion – Adhesive sticks well to fibers, and while adhesive is typically less expensive, this backing can “suck up” the adhesive so will use more, and sometimes excessive glue will cause bubbles.

Heat Welding – Fibers on the backing can be melted off with the heat gun to allow a vinyl-to-vinyl weld and reasonable welds can be achieved by an experienced applicator. Involves a few more steps as the fuzz has to be “buzzed”, and can take a longer time to master the installation techniques.

Details – Without center reinforcement, it is an easier membrane to detail with, but because the fuzz wicks water, you have to remove it or saturate the cut exposed ends at flashings, drains, etc. with glue.

Other – It is usually a less expensive system, but if there is any waterproofing breach in the membrane, water can wick though the fibers (if not properly coated with adhesive) causing rot. Depending on the substrate, repositioning the membrane can be difficult as it will stick like Velcro to rough plywood, when without being glued. In hot weather, the vinyl will “creep” when being smoothed out during application. It is often sold as a “cash & carry” product so available to untrained individuals.

PVC Back – Type 4 (embedded fabric) Class B (exposed roofing) Membrane

Adhesive – Adhesive is typically expensive and there is no second chance if weld area is contaminated with glue. Contact adhesive has a short “working window” making it difficult to use in bad weather or off-season.

Heat Welding – The weld is strong as there is no fabric barrier and it is the easiest to master installation techniques; however different coloured ply makes for bad “bleed out” on welds.

Details – Center reinforced vinyl is more difficult to bend for detailing. Due to the difficulty to adopt to 90˚ bends, PVC metal and pre-made corner boots are required for proper waterproofing detailing.

Other – Because of its conventional “roofing” construction, it is the preferred membrane of some specifiers, but as a deck surface has some disadvantages such as a higher chance of delamination and it is difficult to hide sub-surface blemishes due to the hard surface. Additionally, UV/Mildew inhibitors are only on the top ply where in fabric backed membranes it goes all the way through the PVC.

“Compare Membrane Backing Options” (296 KB .pdf) for an easy-to-follow overview.
Download

To be referred to a Duradek vinyl decking expert in your area about your specific decking needs, contact us to request a free, no-obligation estimate.

Top 6 Deck Building Design Features of 2015

Deck building design demands for 2015 highlighted a consistent preference of features for new decks and deck remodels. The most noteworthy deck building products at the 2015 International Builders Show and Deck Expo included features to meet those demands and deck building professionals have no shortage of products to choose from.

In many cases, it takes 2 or 3 different products to meet these design objectives, but Duradek is proud to be able to meet these decking demands in one single product solution.

Colorful
A full range of color options is a desirable feature with many new deck building products releasing a selection of earth tones that harmoniously blend outdoor living space with the surrounding environment.

Duradek has over 26 colors with a range of natural hues from subtle neutral tones to sunset and seaside inspired shades. With a range of patterns, this slip-resistant deck surface brings style to virtually any exterior design scheme.

LIGHTness
Lightweight products have been recognized as environmentally advantageous at the latest builders shows, but not at the expense of durability.

Per square foot coverage of Duradek vinyl decking is a very light weight option, needing just the basic structural load bearing requirements (though extra load-bearing considerations should always be taken into account for deck add-ons like fire or water features, planters and hot tubs).

Duradek has an option to compliment virtually
any outdoor design scheme.

 

Keep it COOL
Thermally treated deck building products are making an appearance with new technologies promising higher fire resistance and temperature insulation; but with all new technologies the practical application has yet to be proven and cost may make some of those options a little prohibitive when compared to alternatives.

Deck surfaces that stay cool on the feet can be achieved with Duradek’s lighter color options. When used on 2nd level decks, Duradek provides roof grade protection and a shaded area below. Sun-lovers can enjoy the upper level deck to bask in the rays, while those less tolerant to UV exposure can enjoy the shaded lower level and still enjoy the outdoors, even in the peak of the afternoon sun.
 

NATURALLY Inspired
Subtle, earthy and aged looks are very popular with low-maintenance, decking products. Beyond simply color tones, the naturally inspired looks for manufactured deck building products imitate their natural counterparts in texture as well with faux wood and stone taking popularity polls.

Duradek was a trend setter early on in these faux-natural favorites with the popular 'Cork' pattern that takes on the texture of real cork, and the unique ‘Forest Floor’ pattern taking on the appearance of fossilized leaves. The latest introductions follow this trend with the ‘Legacy’ line that offers a dynamic aggregate pebble option “Pebble Beach”, or the wood grain looks of ‘Barnwood’ and ‘Driftwood’ that emulate the appearance of aged wood - but without any of the maintenance that real wood requires (see the Pebble Beach press release).

The LEGACY line of vinyl featuring: Pebble Beach,
Barnwood and Driftwood

 

MOISTURE Management
One of the most critical features of deck building is moisture management and there are a variety of options available to incorporate into your deck design. Drip-through deck boards can be enhanced with complex spacer-flange systems or trough systems that route water to gutters; and under deck systems can channel water to gutters, sometimes requiring special joists or underlayment. All of those options include many seams, joins or exposed deck elements that may encounter trapped water. This may provide a dry area below, but is not the best method of ensuring the building envelope or structure of the deck is protected from water infiltration and subsequent wood rot. (see Dry Below Decks Made Easy Part 1 - Trough vs Top | Part 2 - Below vs Above)

Duradek ‘Cork Natural’ vinyl is a low maintenance deck
surface as well as a roofing membrane to keep it dry below.

Duradek is primarily a waterproofing membrane and moisture management system. In fact, Duradek is a classified roofing membrane in addition to being a pedestrian surface. With 40 years of proven waterproofing details and techniques afforded by the quality pvc membrane and pioneering the vinyl decking industry, Duradek provides a dry area below the deck. It protects the critical junctions between deck and structure and eliminates trapped water, deflecting it away from the structure’s points of vulnerability. Duradek allows the water management and attractive walking surface to be addressed in one single product while many other options require 2 or 3 stages of installation.

Duradek vinyl deck membranes provide roof-grade waterproof
protection for a lower patio and dry storage for outdoor items.

 

On the down LOW MAINTENANCE
Homeowners want to do less maintenance on their decks, leaving more time to enjoy it; thus the popularity of manufactured deck building products like composite decking. While composite decking has come a long way in the last decade, it has not been without a myriad of growing pains. Builders and home owners have had to absorb the majority of the cost on failed products as they mature (see When Choosing a Building Product, "New" Does Not Always Mean Better).

Duradek forged the way for low-maintenance manufactured deck building products with its sheet vinyl for waterproofing decks and balconies over 40 years ago. The durable pvc never needs any maintenance or reapplication and will continue to perform its waterproofing function for decades. And unlike many composite products or other vinyl products, Duradek is the only vinyl manufacturer to offer a written appearance warranty to protect home owners from excessive discoloration. While UV exposure will always eventually cause fading over time, Duradek stands up to UV exposure exponentially better than other comparable products and its 5 year appearance warranty backs it up.
 

TRIED and TRUE
After more than 40 years leading the vinyl decking industry, Duradek knows waterproofing details. Because waterproofing details are so critical to the longevity of your deck, Duradek is available only through a network of trained and authorized dealers.

To request a free estimate on your decking project, contact a Duradek Installer in your area and trust the proven performance of Duradek vinyl decking for your deck building projects.

Vancouver Home & Design Show 2015 Starts Tomorrow

The much-anticipated annual Vancouver Home & Design Show begins tomorrow at a new home this year, leaving its former location of BC Place Stadium for the new location at the Vancouver Convention Center West from October 22 - 25, 2015.

Just in time for nesting season, the Vancouver Home & Design Show is packed full of ideas, inspiration and resources to make your home the perfect combination of comfort, style and functionality for whatever your lifestyle desires.

Transform your deck or patio with one of
Duradek's hot new colours like
Legacy Driftwood.

Many of us desire a really great deck or other outdoor living space that does not require a lot of work or expense to maintain, so that is why you should stop by the Duradek booth #122.

Duradek and its superior method of deck waterproofing by trained installers may be the most important exhibitor you visit if you've got a decking project in your future. Now is the perfect time to begin your research on your deck renovation. Duradek professional installers with their detailed waterproofing experience are in high demand, and many people who look for their expertise in the busy spring and summer months are disappointed with longer than anticipated wait times. Act now so that you can have your beautiful new deck built and ready for your enjoyment next spring...or even get that second level deck covered in Duradek this fall so through the rainy winter months you've got a dry, protected area below.

But there's a lot more to see at the Vancouver Home & Design Show than just finding your perfect decking solution...

Highlights at the 2014 Vancouver Home & Design Show

In addition to visiting Duradek at the Home and Design Show, here are some of the highlights you might want to include in your visit:

• Opening Night Soiree where you can win prizes and mingle with some of the top talent in Vancouver's design scene.
• HGTV Main Stage appearances with celebrity guests like W-Networks Jillian Harris & Todd Talbot.
• Junior Chef Challenge
• The BC Hydro Dream Home
• The Upcycling Challenge
• Ask a Designer
• ...and much more!

Show Hours

• Thursday, Oct. 22nd: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 23rd: noon - 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 24th: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 25th 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Did you Know...

• You can get a $3 discount if you purchase your ticket online.
• The Vancouver Home & Design Show offers 'Satisfaction Guaranteed' or your admission is free! (conditions apply)

Visit Duradek at Booth #122

You may not be focused on your decks and balconies as rainy season descends on the Greater Vancouver region, but now is the time you will start to discover if you've got any water leak issues.

Don't let avoiding your deck waterproofing turn into larger, more expensive renovations down the road. If you’ve got any questions about deck waterproofing, this could be the most important stop you make at the Vancouver Home & Design Show.

Duradek has been waterproofing decks, balconies and roof top decks for over 40 years and is proud to bring you the waterproofing expertise needed for your outdoor living space. Take a moment to discuss Duradek’s excellent warranty with one of our specially trained and authorized installers.

We hope to see you there!

The Cost of Vinyl Decking Promises vs Proven Performance

When evaluating vinyl deck membrane choices before you purchase for your decking project, it is important to consider if you are buying proven performance or potential promises.

While the most important job of vinyl decking is actually waterproofing the deck and protecting the building envelope of the home, nobody wants to be left with an unattractive deck after a couple years of use.

All vinyl scuffs to some degree under certain conditions…as does wood, composite deck boards, even concrete. In fact almost everything we walk on scuffs, marks or fades over time. This is the inevitable, realistic result of a ‘wear surface’; particularly with decks under constant exposure to the elements. And anything under constant exposure to the elements will age to some degree.

Yes, long term results should be taken into consideration...BUT - be careful not to forgo the long term protection of a proven product with an appearance warranty for short term promises of “scuff resistance” that may have unexpected and unwelcome appearance issues over time.


Historically, clear protective top coats on deck vinyl have been a real issue and more than one company has had to replace many decks when their clear coat surface failed. In fact, not all companies that went through the experience were able to survive it.

Now once again, some companies are offering a “Scuff Resistant” clear top coat, but it has only been on the market a relatively short time and it offers no Appearance Warranty!!

Since clear top coats have historically been a problem on plastics under constant UV exposure, how do you determine how well a product will stand up in 10 years when it has only been on the market half that time? You enlist the services of an accredited testing agency like Atlas Material Testing Services that perform UV exposure tests to help answer that question.

We've talked a lot about clear top coats over the past couple of years because of our decades of experience and repeatedly witnessing the undesirable results of failed clear top coats. That is because we really want to drive home TWO very important facts.

1 - Accelerated Weather Testing shows that the currently available clear top coats that are in the marketplace today will very likely experience extreme appearance issues.

 

2 - Not all vinyl decking warranties cover appearance issues. In fact, Duradek Ultra 10 year warranties are the only published warranty we can find that specifically covers appearance issues.

 

Compare the three vinyl sample swatches below. One is Duradek and the other two others are other brands of vinyl decking (one that offers a clear top coat). These samples were tested side by side in the same accelerated UV exposure test.

 

Alarming, isn't it? Almost unbelievable, so these products were not just tested once, but twice…

More Vinyl Decking Accelerated UV Aging Testing Results

The images below show a progression of unaltered test results sults of accelerated UV exposure testing (ASTM G90) of two brands of vinyl deck membranes. The product on top is a vinyl product with a clear top coat. The vinyl on the bottom is the ‘tried and true’ Duradek membrane with a 40 year history and an appearance warranty. The 2nd test included multiple product comparisons, and all those with a clear top coat exhibited the same failed results.

Download the images of the test result swatches in .pdf format:

Test #1 - AQ31696 - June 2012
Progression Sequence (644.2 kb .pdf) | Single Sample vs. Control (1.16 MB .pdf)

 

Test #2 - AQ32825 - June 2013 Progression Sequence (663.6 kb .pdf) | Single Sample vs. Control (792 KB .pdf)  



Test #2b - AQ32825 - June 2013 Progression Sequence (607.5 kb .pdf) | Single Sample vs. Control (693 KB .pdf)  

Innovation is a great thing, but if you don’t want to gamble on your project and money invested, be sure to use a product that has a proven performance history.

To speak to a Duradek professional in your area to bring Duradek’s 40 years of performance to your projects, contact a Duradek dealer in your area.

Useful Resources:

Time, Tested and Approved (.pdf)
Before You Buy, Consider This (.pdf)
History of Clear Top Coats (.pdf)

Related Posts:

When Choosing a Building Product, “New” Does Not Always Mean Better
Vinyl Deck Membranes Appearance Promises vs. Appearance Warranty