A vinyl sundeck covering is a heat-welded PVC membrane bonded to a deck surface that serves as both the finished walking surface and the waterproofing in a single layer. In BC it is the standard way to keep a deck usable on top and the living space below dry. Valordek manufactures its sundeck membranes in Surrey, BC, starting at $3.74 per square foot with a 15-year waterproofing warranty.
"Sundeck" is Western Canada's word for a walkable, waterproof deck built over living space, and a vinyl covering is how you make one last. Instead of boards with gaps that let water through, a single sheet of vinyl membrane is bonded down and heat-welded at the seams into one continuous, waterproof surface. It sheds water to the drains and off the deck, protecting the room underneath. This guide explains what a vinyl sundeck covering is, why it is the standard choice in BC, what it costs, and how to pick the right membrane for a balcony versus a rooftop deck. To see the full system, visit the Valordek vinyl decking hub.
What is a vinyl sundeck covering?
A vinyl sundeck covering is a continuous sheet of PVC membrane, typically 60mil to 68mil thick, that is glued to a sloped plywood or concrete substrate and heat-welded at every seam so the entire deck becomes one waterproof surface. Unlike boards, tiles, or a painted coating, the membrane is the walking surface and the waterproofing at the same time. There is no separate layer to fail underneath.
The system has three working parts: the vinyl membrane, the contact adhesive that bonds it fully to the deck, and the heat-welded seams that fuse the sheets into one. The deck is built with a 1 to 2 percent slope so water runs to the drains and off the edge past a drip flashing, rather than pooling on the surface. The result is a deck you walk on, furnish, and use, with a dry room underneath.
This is what separates a sundeck from a standard deck. A standard deck is a walking surface. A sundeck is a walking surface and a roof for the space below it, which is why the covering has to be genuinely waterproof, not just water-resistant. For a deck built directly over a living space, see our guide to waterproofing a deck over living space.
Why is vinyl membrane the standard sundeck covering in BC?
Vinyl membrane is the standard sundeck covering in coastal BC because it is fully waterproof, walkable without a separate finish, and rated to perform from -40°C to 80°C through wet winters and hot summers. In a climate that sees heavy rain for months at a time, a covering that is only water-resistant eventually lets water into the structure. A heat-welded vinyl membrane does not.
Four properties make it the default choice for a sundeck:
- One waterproof surface. Heat-welded seams fuse the sheets into a single continuous membrane with no gaps, no fasteners through the surface, and no grout lines to fail.
- Walkable as-is. The membrane is the finished floor. There is no staining, sealing, or top coat to reapply. You sweep it and hose it.
- Built for the climate. Valordek membrane is UV-stabilized PVC rated from -40°C to 80°C, so it does not crack in a cold snap or soften in full sun.
- Long, transparent warranty. Valordek sundeck membranes carry a 15-year waterproofing warranty plus a 5-year appearance warranty, backed from a Surrey, BC head office.
Vinyl decking also outperforms the alternatives most homeowners weigh against it. Composite boards still have gaps that pass water through to the structure, so they need a separate membrane underneath. Liquid or painted coatings wear thin and need recoating every few years. A bonded vinyl membrane is the covering and the waterproofing in one, which is why it dominates the sundeck market in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island.
How much does a vinyl sundeck covering cost?
A vinyl sundeck covering costs about $3.74 per square foot for the Valordek membrane itself, while professionally installed vinyl sundecks in BC typically run $9 to $11 per square foot once labour, adhesive, flashing, and substrate prep are included. Knowing the difference between the material price and the installed price is the single most useful thing a buyer can understand before getting quotes.
The installed price covers more than the membrane. It includes substrate preparation and slope correction, contact adhesive, drip flashing and drainage details, heat-welding labour, and the installer's warranty on the workmanship. The membrane is a transparent line item at $3.74 per square foot, but the finished cost depends on the condition of the deck underneath and the complexity of the edges and penetrations.
For a rough materials estimate on your own deck, use the Valordek cost calculator, and for a full breakdown of what drives the installed price, read our vinyl decking cost guide. If your existing deck substrate is sound, a vinyl covering is one of the more cost-effective ways to make a sundeck last for decades.
Fuzzy-Back or Smooth-Back: which sundeck membrane do you need?
Valordek manufactures two sundeck membranes for two applications: the 68mil Fuzzy-Back for balconies and the 60mil Smooth-Back for rooftop decks. The right one depends on where the deck is and how it drains, not on price, because both start at the same $3.74 per square foot.
| Factor | Fuzzy-Back · 68mil | Smooth-Back · 60mil |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Balconies | Rooftop decks and patios |
| Backing | Fleece (fabric) | PVC |
| Waterproofing | Fully sealed, heat-welded seams | Fully sealed, heat-welded seams |
| Waterproof warranty | 15 years | 15 years |
| Fire rating | — | Class A & C |
| Certification | CCMC tested | Intertek tested |
| Temperature range | -40°C to 80°C | -40°C to 80°C |
| Starting price | $3.74/sq ft | $3.74/sq ft |
The practical rule: a covered or enclosed balcony takes the Fuzzy-Back membrane, and an open rooftop deck takes the Smooth-Back, which is Class A and C fire-rated and requires PVC flashing on open decks. Both exceed building code 37.54.95 for waterproofing. To match the membrane to your project, see the balconies and rooftop decks pages, or browse all 12 colours on the products page.
How long does a vinyl sundeck covering last?
A properly installed vinyl sundeck covering lasts well beyond its 15-year waterproofing warranty when it is cleaned regularly and its seams and penetrations are inspected each year. The membrane itself is UV-stabilized PVC engineered to hold its waterproofing and appearance through years of Canadian weather, which is why vinyl outlasts liquid coatings that need recoating every 5 to 7 years.
Longevity comes down to two things: the quality of the installation and basic maintenance. A membrane installed over a sound, correctly sloped substrate by a certified installer, using Valordek-approved adhesives, is what the warranty requires and what makes the covering last. Annual sealant inspection at the edges and drains, plus regular cleaning, keeps it performing. See the full terms on the warranty page and the test results on the certifications page.
Why a BC-made sundeck covering matters
A sundeck covering made in BC means the membrane is manufactured for local conditions, supplied through a local dealer network, and warrantied from a Canadian head office rather than an importer. Valordek manufactures its vinyl deck membranes in Surrey, BC, as part of All Seasons Waterproofing, and supplies them through a 19-dealer network across Western Canada.
For a homeowner or contractor, that proximity matters in three ways: the product is engineered and tested for the freeze-thaw cycles a BC sundeck actually sees, material moves through a domestic network without cross-border delays, and a warranty question years later is handled in-country. When the term "sundeck" is BC vernacular, it makes sense that the membrane behind it is built here too. Read more about the company on the Valordek story, or find local supply through Find a Dealer.
Frequently asked questions about vinyl sundeck covering
What is a sundeck covering?
A sundeck covering is the waterproof surface applied to a deck that sits over living space. The standard covering in BC is a heat-welded vinyl (PVC) membrane, which acts as both the walking surface and the waterproofing in one layer. Valordek sundeck membranes start at $3.74 per square foot with a 15-year waterproofing warranty.
How much does vinyl sundeck covering cost?
The Valordek vinyl membrane starts at $3.74 per square foot for the material. Professionally installed vinyl sundecks in BC typically cost $9 to $11 per square foot once labour, adhesive, drip flashing, and substrate prep are included. The finished price depends on the condition and complexity of the deck underneath.
Can you put a vinyl covering over an existing wood deck?
Yes, a vinyl sundeck covering can be installed over an existing wood deck when the substrate is sound, dry, and correctly sloped. The plywood must be a suitable grade, such as 5/8-inch tongue-and-groove, with no rot or movement. If the substrate is spongy or damaged, it has to be repaired or replaced first, because the membrane is only as durable as the deck beneath it.
What is the best deck covering for BC weather?
A heat-welded vinyl membrane is the best deck covering for BC weather because it is fully waterproof, walkable without a top coat, and rated from -40°C to 80°C. It handles months of coastal rain without letting water into the structure, unlike composite boards with gaps or liquid coatings that wear thin and need recoating every few years.
How do you clean a vinyl sundeck?
Clean a vinyl sundeck by sweeping off debris and washing the surface with mild soap and water or a garden hose. Vinyl decking needs no sealing, staining, or special products. Avoid abrasive tools and harsh solvents. Regular cleaning plus an annual inspection of the seams and edge details keeps the membrane performing for the life of the warranty.
Is a vinyl sundeck covering waterproof?
Yes. A vinyl sundeck covering is fully waterproof because the membrane is bonded to the deck and heat-welded at every seam into one continuous surface, with no gaps or fasteners through the top. This is what allows a deck to sit over a living space and keep the room below dry. Valordek membranes exceed building code 37.54.95 for waterproofing.
