Stop the leak. Protect
what's underneath.
Most decks leak because their waterproofing was never built to last. Our heat-welded vinyl membrane replaces every failure point in standard deck waterproofing — with 10 to 15 years of warranty backing.
Every leak comes from the same handful of failure modes.
Decks fail predictably. Water gets through cracked coatings, broken seams, or where the waterproofing meets the wall. Knowing what fails helps you choose a system that doesn't.
Cracked or deteriorated coatings
Paint and surface coatings — the cheapest option — crack within 2 to 5 years. Once cracked, water gets through.
Failed seams and joints
Caulking and tape at joints are vulnerable to movement, temperature cycling, and UV. Every seam is a potential failure point.
Inadequate drainage
Standing water accelerates every waterproofing failure. Without proper slope and drainage, water pools and finds its way through.
UV degradation
Sun exposure breaks down materials that aren't UV-stabilized. What works in shade fails in direct sunlight.
Substrate movement
Buildings settle. Plywood expands and contracts. Rigid waterproofing systems crack when the structure moves underneath them.
The Valordek system addresses all five.
Continuous welded membrane. UV-stable PVC. Engineered flexibility. Integrated flashing. Read on.
Four components. One waterproof barrier.
Our system replaces every failure point with a single integrated build. Each component is engineered to work with the others — no gaps, no rigid joints, no caulk to maintain.
Vinyl membrane (PVC)
The waterproof surface. UV-stabilized to resist sun degradation. Performs from −40°C to 80°C without cracking, fading, or peeling. Same material category certified for commercial roofing.
Contact adhesive
Full-coverage bond between membrane and substrate. No air gaps where moisture can pool, no fastener penetrations that leak over time. Bonds tighter than the original substrate in most cases.
Heat-welded seams
Where two courses of membrane meet, we heat-weld the vinyl into a single continuous sheet. No caulk to fail, no tape to lift, no joints to leak. The entire deck becomes one waterproof piece.
Drip flashing
PVC flashing wraps every edge — perimeter, wall junctions, drain penetrations — channelling water away from the deck. Welded directly to the membrane on Smooth-Back installs for continuous coverage.
Pick the right backing for your deck.
Every Valordek install uses the same heat-welded vinyl + adhesive system. The difference between Fuzzy-Back and Smooth-Back is what's underneath — and where you'd install it.
Fuzzy-Back · 68mil
Fleece-backed, Premium Series. The everyday choice for balconies.
- Thickness68 mil
- BackingFleece (fabric)
- Best forBalconies
- Waterproof warranty10 years
- Appearance warranty5 years
- Available coloursAll 12
- CertificationCCMC tested
Smooth-Back · 60mil
PVC-backed, Ultra Series. Rated for elevated rooftop installs.
- Thickness60 mil
- BackingPVC
- Best forRooftop decks
- Waterproof warranty15 years
- Appearance warranty5 years
- Available coloursGrey Stone, Beige Stone
- CertificationIntertek · Class A & C fire
The same system. Two applications.
The Valordek waterproofing system is engineered for two primary applications — each with its own backing and warranty profile.
Balconies
Wood-frame and concrete balconies. Fuzzy-Back is the standard choice with a 10-year waterproofing warranty.
Learn about balcony waterproofing →Rooftop decks
Multi-unit and commercial rooftops. Smooth-Back with PVC flashing. 15-year warranty + Class A & C fire rating.
Learn about rooftop waterproofing →Waterproofing FAQ.
What is the best waterproofing for a deck?
For most balconies and rooftop decks above living spaces, a heat-welded PVC vinyl membrane is the most durable option. Unlike liquid coatings (which crack within 2 to 5 years) or torch-on systems (which add fire risk and lose flexibility), a vinyl membrane bonds in one continuous waterproof sheet that flexes with the building. See the independent certifications.
How do you waterproof a deck over a living space?
Three steps: prep the substrate (clean, sound plywood or concrete), bond the vinyl membrane with full-coverage contact adhesive, then heat-weld every seam between courses. PVC drip flashing wraps the perimeter and any wall junctions or drain penetrations. The result is a single continuous waterproof barrier with no caulk or tape to fail later.
How long does vinyl deck waterproofing last?
Valordek's Fuzzy-Back membrane carries a 10-year waterproofing warranty (5 years on appearance). Smooth-Back carries a 15-year waterproofing warranty. Real-world installs routinely last 20+ years when maintained — the membrane itself doesn't break down under UV, freeze-thaw, or normal foot traffic. Read the full warranty terms.
Can you waterproof a balcony without tearing it up?
If the existing substrate (plywood or concrete) is structurally sound, yes — Valordek vinyl installs directly over it after surface prep. We don't need to remove the original deck. If the substrate is rotted or significantly damaged, those areas need to be replaced before the membrane goes down.
What causes a balcony to leak into the room below?
Almost always one of two things: the original waterproofing membrane has cracked or failed (most common with paint and surface coatings), or the flashing at the wall junction or drain has lifted. A continuous heat-welded membrane with integrated flashing eliminates both failure modes.
What's the difference between a deck membrane and a deck coating?
A membrane is a continuous sheet of waterproof material bonded to the substrate — one piece of vinyl welded together at the seams. A coating is a liquid (paint or polyurethane) brushed or rolled onto the deck. Coatings fail much faster because they crack with substrate movement and lose elasticity in UV.
How much does deck waterproofing cost?
Valordek vinyl starts at $3.74 per square foot for materials. Total project cost depends on deck size, condition of the existing surface, accessories needed, and whether you hire a professional installer. Use our cost calculator for an instant estimate based on your dimensions.
Got a leak? Or planning ahead?
Talk to a Valordek dealer about waterproofing your balcony or rooftop deck. We'll help you scope the project, verify measurements, and connect you with a certified installer near you.