A vinyl deck is a wood-framed deck topped with a waterproof vinyl sheet membrane instead of boards. In Metro Vancouver it is the usual choice for sundecks and balconies built over living space, because it keeps rain out of the rooms below. Budget roughly $45–85 per sq ft for a new vinyl deck and $15–35 per sq ft to re-cover an existing one.
What vinyl membrane decking is
A vinyl deck is built in layers. The frame is sloped so water runs off. Tongue-and-groove plywood goes over the joists. The vinyl membrane is laid over the plywood, and drip flashing at the edges sends water away from the walls below. A scupper or drain collects the water and carries it off the deck.
The result is a smooth, continuous surface that works as both a deck and a roof.
Don't confuse a vinyl membrane with PVC deck boards. PVC boards are a board product, like composite, with gaps between them that let water through. A vinyl membrane is one waterproof sheet.
Why vinyl is so common in Metro Vancouver
Many Metro Vancouver homes have a sundeck over living space. A board deck lets rain fall through the gaps, which is fine over a lawn but not over a bedroom. Keeping the space under a board deck dry takes a separate under-deck drainage or membrane system, which adds significant cost. Vinyl does both jobs in one layer.
The climate pushes the same way. Rain falls from fall to spring, and the North Shore gets about 1,700 mm a year. Water-resistant surfaces such as vinyl, composite and PVC cope with that better than bare wood. Balconies use vinyl for the same reason: whatever is underneath stays dry.
What a vinyl deck costs
These are typical ranges before GST, for budgeting only. Real quotes depend on a site visit.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| New vinyl deck (framing, sloped plywood, membrane, flashing, drain) | $45–85 per sq ft |
| New vinyl deck over living space, about 200 sq ft, with aluminum or glass railing | $15,000–32,000 |
| Re-cover on a sound existing deck | $15–35 per sq ft |
| Re-cover, about 200 sq ft | $3,000–7,000 |
| Removing old vinyl only | $1–3 per sq ft |
| New plywood under a re-cover | Add $2–4 per sq ft |
| Rotten joist or ledger repairs | Add $1,000–3,000+ |
| Small repairs (tear, seam or bubble) | $200–900 |
Several things push a job toward the top of the range. Decks over heated rooms need more careful slope, flashing and ceiling or soffit detailing, plus insulation and ventilation below, and that can push the price past the top. Small balconies hit minimum charges of about $1,500–2,500. On a re-cover, railings often have to come off and go back on so the new membrane can be flashed under them.
Railings are priced separately. Aluminum picket typically runs $60–140 per linear foot and framed glass $100–275. Use our deck cost calculator for a rough number on your own deck.
Lifespan and care
A vinyl membrane typically lasts about 15–20 years, and top-brand warranties run 10–20 years. South- and west-facing decks in full sun wear faster.
Care is simple and usually costs $0–200 a year. Sweep the deck and wash it with mild soap, more often if it is shaded and collects moss and mildew. Once a year, check the seams, edges, drip flashing, scuppers, drains and anywhere something passes through the membrane, and re-caulk where needed. Put pads under furniture feet, keep BBQ grease off the surface, and lift planters rather than dragging them.
Membrane work needs dry weather, roughly May to September, so plan re-covers and bigger repairs for that window.
Signs your vinyl is failing
Leaks into the room below are the main risk, so small problems are worth fixing quickly. Watch for:
- bubbles, which can mean trapped water
- lifting or loose seams
- cracks, tears or punctures
- soft spots underfoot, which can mean the plywood below is wet or damaged
- water stains on the ceiling or walls below
- damage or gaps at the flashing, scuppers or drains
A single tear or loose seam is usually a repair, at about $200–600. Widespread wear, repeated patches or a membrane more than about 12 years old often point to a re-cover. If water has already reached the plywood or joists, those need fixing first. Our guide on whether to repair or replace a deck walks through that decision.
Vinyl vs composite
Both are low-maintenance, but they solve different problems.
| Vinyl membrane | Composite boards | |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof | Yes, one continuous sheet | No, water drains between boards |
| Best fit | Decks and balconies over living space | Decks over open ground or a yard |
| New deck cost per sq ft | $45–85 | $60–100 |
| Typical lifespan | 15–20 years | 25–30+ years |
| Upkeep | Wash, plus a yearly check of seams and drains | Wash once or twice a year |
| Look | Flat sheet surface | Deck boards |
Choose vinyl when the space below must stay dry. Choose composite when it doesn't, or when you want a board look and a longer life. Composite can go over living space, but then you need a separate waterproofing or drainage system underneath at significant extra cost. Both sit on a wood frame, so good flashing matters either way.
Details that matter
The membrane is only as good as the details around it. When you compare quotes, ask each builder how they handle these:
- Slope. The frame must fall enough for water to run off rather than pool.
- Flashing. Drip flashing at the edges, and proper flashing where the deck meets the house, keep water out of the walls. Ledger flashing is critical in our climate.
- Scuppers and drains. Water needs a planned way off the deck, even in a heavy rain.
- Railing mounting. Railing posts have to be flashed so they don't let water through the membrane. Some railings mount to the outer edge of the deck (fascia mounting), which tends to cost more. Ask how every post will be sealed. See our deck railings page for options.
- Ventilation. Decks over living space need insulation and ventilation below, and some cities ask for vented deck details.
Permits for decks over living space
Rules vary by municipality, so confirm with your city before you build. Expect a deck over living space to get more scrutiny than a ground-level deck. Surrey's deck permit guide asks for vented deck details for decks over living areas. The City of North Vancouver's deck checklist requires vented deck details for decks over living space and may require a professional engineer to sign off on the framing. West Vancouver's planning submissions need cross-section details for decks over living space.
Re-covers are less clear-cut. Coquitlam says repairing individual deck components, including surface material, doesn't need a permit. Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge say deck repairs need one. Raised and second-storey decks often need engineering too, which local builders put at about $1,500–4,000. If you live in a townhouse or strata, you will also need strata approval. Our guide to deck permits in BC covers the town-by-town rules.
Whether you need a new vinyl deck or a re-cover, the details decide how long it stays watertight. Get free quotes from up to three vetted local builders who do vinyl decks, and compare how each one plans to handle slope, flashing and drains.
Common questions
How long does a vinyl deck last?
A vinyl membrane typically lasts about 15–20 years, and top-brand warranties run 10–20 years. Decks facing south or west in full sun tend to wear faster.
How much does it cost to re-vinyl a deck in BC?
Re-covering a sound deck typically costs $15–35 per sq ft before GST, or about $3,000–7,000 for 200 sq ft. New plywood, rotten joists or removing and resetting railings add to that.
Is vinyl or composite better for a deck over a room?
Vinyl, in most cases, because it forms one continuous waterproof surface. Composite boards let water through the gaps, so keeping the space below dry needs a separate drainage or membrane system at significant extra cost.
How do you clean and maintain a vinyl deck?
Sweep it and wash it with mild soap. Check the seams, flashing and drains once a year, re-caulk as needed, and avoid sharp furniture feet, BBQ grease and dragging planters.