The best vinyl decking brand is the one whose membrane is tested to code for your deck, carries a clear warranty and is installed by a certified installer near you. Compare thickness, testing, fire rating, warranty terms, the adhesive and seam system, and how the price is quoted. Valordek's two membranes exceed code 37.54.95 and carry a 15-year waterproofing warranty.
Brand comparisons for vinyl decking are harder than they look, because a quote is never just a membrane. It is a membrane, an adhesive, the edge and drain details and an installer, and the warranty usually depends on all four. This guide sets out the criteria that actually differ between vinyl deck membranes, what to ask about each, and Valordek's verified answer, so you can hold every quote to the same questions. It names no other brand and makes no claims about one: use the questions on any membrane you are offered. For the product itself, see the Valordek vinyl decking overview.
Vinyl deck membranes or PVC deck boards?
"Vinyl decking" covers two different products: a waterproof vinyl membrane that covers a deck in one bonded sheet, and PVC deck boards that are fastened down with gaps between them. Search results for vinyl decking brands mix the two, so check which one a comparison is about before reading it.
A membrane is the waterproofing as well as the walking surface, which is why it is used on balconies and rooftop decks over living space. Deck boards are a walking surface only; water passes through the gaps, so a deck over a room needs a separate waterproofing layer underneath. Valordek makes membranes. Our comparison of vinyl and composite decking covers the board side of the decision.
What actually differs between vinyl deck membranes?
Nine things differ between vinyl deck membranes in ways that matter to a buyer, and most of them are written down somewhere a brand can show you. Use this table as a checklist for every membrane you are quoted.
| Criterion | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing | The membrane is the waterproof layer, so this is the job it is bought for | Is it tested to a waterproofing standard, and how are the seams joined? |
| Thickness and backing | Changes how the membrane bonds and how a leak behaves under it | How thick is it in mil, and what is on the back? |
| Reinforcement and surface | A reinforced, UV-stabilized sheet holds its shape and colour outdoors | Is it reinforced, UV-stabilized and slip-resistant? |
| Testing and code | A deck over living space needs a membrane tested to the code | Which standard, which testing body, and can I see the certificate? |
| Fire rating | Can matter on rooftops and where a building requires it | Does it carry a fire rating, and which class? |
| Warranty and installer rules | Terms vary in length, what they cover and who must install | How many years for waterproofing and appearance, and what voids it? |
| Adhesive and system parts | The warranty usually requires the brand's approved adhesive and components | Which adhesive, flashing and drains are approved? |
| Colours and stock | The look you choose has to be available when the job is booked | Is the colour in stock, and can I see a sample? |
| Dealers and price basis | Local support and like-for-like quotes | Who installs near me, and is the price for the membrane only or installed? |
How Valordek answers each question
Valordek makes two vinyl deck membranes, Fuzzy-Back (68 mil) and Smooth-Back (60 mil), and publishes its answer to every criterion above. Here is each one, from Valordek's certifications, warranty, accessories and FAQ pages.
Thickness and backing
Fuzzy-Back is 68 mil with a fleece backing, and Smooth-Back is 60 mil. The backing changes how a leak behaves: under the fleece-backed membrane, water that gets through spreads over a larger area, while under Smooth-Back it stays in a small area near where it got in. Our guide to 60 mil and 68 mil vinyl decking explains which suits which deck.
Reinforcement and surface
Both Valordek membranes have a reinforcing scrim, UV stabilization and slip-resistant embossing, according to the certifications page. The membrane is PVC with UV screens and stabilizers and is tested to perform from -40°C to 80°C.
Testing and code
Valordek's 68 mil Premium Series (Fuzzy-Back) was tested by CCMC, the Canadian Construction Materials Centre, and the 60 mil Ultra Series (Smooth-Back) by Intertek. Both exceed code 37.54.95, which Valordek's certifications page describes as the Canadian standard for waterproof membranes used on decks over living spaces, and the page lists them as approved for balconies over living space, non-living space areas and roof decks.
Fire rating
Smooth-Back carries a Class A and C fire rating, tested by Intertek. It is the membrane Valordek uses for rooftop decks.
Warranty and who installs it
Both lines carry a 15-year waterproofing warranty and a 5-year appearance warranty, valid only when a certified installer used Valordek-approved adhesives and system components. It covers manufacturing defects that cause leaks; it excludes improper installation, abuse or misuse, natural fading, sub-structure problems and installation workmanship, which is the contractor's responsibility. Fuzzy-Back can be a DIY project with proper preparation, but a DIY installation does not meet the certified-installer condition. The Valordek warranty page has the full terms, and our warranty guide explains what voids coverage.
Adhesive, seams and edges
Both membranes are bonded with a contact adhesive matched to the membrane and have heat-welded seams, so the finished deck is one continuous sheet. On an open deck, Smooth-Back also requires PVC flashing at its edges and professional installation. Valordek supplies the adhesives, flashing, drains and sealant on its accessories page.
Colours and stock
Valordek comes in Wood Look, Stone Look and Classic styles. Smooth-Back is available in two Classic colours, Grey Stone and Beige Stone. Stock changes, so confirm the colour is available before you book, and try it on a photo of your own deck with the deck visualizer. Samples are available from Valordek's office in Surrey, BC, from dealers, or by mail.
Dealers and price basis
Valordek membrane is $3.74 per square foot, for the membrane only. Rolls are 72 inches wide and cut to any length up to 480 lineal feet. Valordek sells through dealers in British Columbia and Alberta, and enquiries from the website go to the nearest one. A total project price adds adhesive, accessories, substrate repairs and installation; our vinyl decking cost guide explains how a quote is built.
Questions to ask before you sign a quote
The quote, not the brand name, is what you are buying, so ask every installer the same questions in writing.
- Which membrane exactly, by name and thickness?
- Which standard is it tested to, by which testing body, and can I have the certificate?
- Which adhesive will you use, and is it approved by the membrane's maker?
- Are the seams heat-welded, and how are the edges, walls, door and drains detailed?
- Are you a certified installer for this membrane, and will the warranty be registered in my name?
- What does the warranty cover, for how many years, and what voids it?
- Is the price for the membrane only or installed, and what is the allowance for plywood repairs?
- Is the colour I picked in stock for my install date?
Is there a best vinyl decking brand?
No single brand is best for every deck; the best choice is a tested membrane suited to your deck, with a warranty you can use, put down by a certified installer who details the edges properly. Most balcony leaks start at the wall, the door, a railing post or a drain rather than in the open field of the membrane, so the installer's detailing matters as much as the brand. Our guide to why balconies leak shows where.
Two trade-offs are worth weighing honestly. Better-known brands may have more installers in some areas, and local support decides how easy repairs and warranty claims are. And any membrane that is not tested for a deck over living space should not go over a room, however good the price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best vinyl decking?
The best vinyl decking is a membrane tested to code for decks over living space, installed by a certified installer with the maker's approved adhesive and details. Valordek's 68 mil and 60 mil membranes both exceed code 37.54.95 and carry a 15-year waterproofing warranty on both product lines.
Who makes the best decking?
It depends on the deck. Over living space, such as a balcony or rooftop deck, a waterproof vinyl membrane is the walking surface and the waterproofing in one. For a ground-level deck, boards may suit. Valordek makes vinyl deck membranes for balconies and rooftop decks.
How much is a vinyl deck?
Valordek membrane is $3.74 per square foot, for the membrane only. The installed price also covers adhesive, accessories, plywood repairs and labour, and depends on the deck.
Is a vinyl deck better than wood?
For a deck over living space, usually yes, because a vinyl membrane is waterproof and wood boards are not. Vinyl also needs no sanding or staining. Wood has a natural look and feel some people prefer, and a wood deck over a room still needs a separate waterproofing layer underneath.
Where can I find Valordek reviews?
Valordek is a BBB Accredited Business, and customers review it on Google. For a specific installation, ask a Valordek dealer for local projects you can see, and ask for the membrane's certificate and warranty terms in writing.
