Faded, scuffed or stained vinyl
Usually cosmetic. A clean and small patches can keep it going, as long as seams and edges are tight.
Services · Vinyl decking
Vinyl decking and vinyl re-covers
Vinyl membrane decking is a Metro Vancouver staple: a waterproof sheet over sloped plywood that keeps rain out of the room below. It's the usual choice for decks over living space, balconies and sundecks on split-levels and older two-storey homes. Whether you need a new vinyl deck or a re-cover of a worn one, compare quotes from up to three installers.
- Re-cover about $15–35 per sq ft
- Typical life 15–20 years
- Best for decks over rooms and balconies
Warning signs
How serious is it?
Bubbles, lifting seams or edges
Water may be getting under the membrane. Seam repairs can buy time, but it's worth planning a re-cover.
Stains or drips in the ceiling below
The plywood may already be wet. Book a re-cover and a substrate check before more rain gets in.
Options
The main ways builders handle it
| Option | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Seam and patch repair | Heat-welding seams and patching punctures | Small, local damage on otherwise good vinyl |
| Full re-cover | Removing the old membrane and laying new | Worn or leaking vinyl on sound plywood |
| Re-cover with new plywood | New sloped plywood and membrane | Soft or water-damaged plywood |
Local conditions
A deck that's also a roof
When a deck sits over a bedroom or garage, it's really a roof you can walk on. The membrane, the slope of the plywood, the flashing at walls and door sills and the drains or scuppers all have to work together, or water ends up in the ceiling below.
Membranes need dry weather to install properly, so re-covers are usually booked for spring to early fall. If your vinyl is cracking, bubbling, lifting at the seams or leaking, have it looked at before the rainy season.
What a good quote includes
- Membrane brand and thickness
- Plywood condition and replacement if needed
- Slope to drains or scuppers
- Wall and door-sill flashing
- Removing and resetting railings
- Venting for decks over living space
- Seam and edge details
- Manufacturer and installer warranty
Watch for: Re-covers laid over soft or water-damaged plywood. Ask how they'll check the substrate first.
Costs
Typical vinyl decking prices
| Job | Typical range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl re-cover on sound plywood | $15 – $35 / sq ft | Prep, railings, flashing details |
| New plywood under the vinyl | #ERROR! | If the old plywood is soft |
| New vinyl deck including framing | $45 – $85 / sq ft | Slope, drains, venting below |
| Puncture or tear repair | $200 – $400 | Size and location |
| Seam repair | $300 – $600 | Length of seam, access |
Budget ranges in CAD before GST. Your quotes are based on a site visit.
Questions
Vinyl decking questions
How long does vinyl decking last?
About 15–20 years with good installation and care. Exposed south- and west-facing decks wear faster.
Can you put composite over a deck that's above a room?
Not as the waterproofing. Decks over living space need a waterproof membrane. Some systems put boards or tiles on pedestals over a membrane, but the membrane still does the waterproofing.
Can vinyl be installed in the rain?
No. Membranes need dry plywood and suitable temperatures, so installs and re-covers are booked between spring and early fall.
Often done together
Guides
Vinyl decking by town
Metro Vancouver
- Surrey →
- Vancouver →
- Burnaby →
- Richmond →
- Delta →
- White Rock →
- Coquitlam →
- Port Coquitlam →
- Port Moody →
- New Westminster →
- North Vancouver →
- West Vancouver →
- Pitt Meadows →
Fraser Valley
Ready to compare vinyl decking quotes?
Send one request and hear from up to 3 local builders.