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The Right Duradek for Your Deck
You’ve decided that Duradek is the right solution for your deck or roof-deck. Now comes the next step: choosing the color, pattern, and product tier that will work best for your project. While aesthetics matter, performance, comfort, and your deck’s orientation also play a big role in ensuring your deck looks great, stays durable, and remains comfortable to use for years to come.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key considerations for color, pattern, embossing, and product tiers, plus tips for installation planning and long-term care.
Solid colors
Solid color vinyl provides a clean, simple aesthetic that works particularly well on modern homes or minimalistic designs. These tones give a clean, uniform look that can really make your outdoor space feel polished.
However, there’s a trade-off: solid colors can reveal imperfections in the substrate more readily than patterned options. One advantage is that solid colors can be coated later if touch-ups or refinishing are needed, giving you flexibility if wear or fading occurs in the future.
Patterned colors
Patterned options like wood-look grains, stone textures, or speckled designs are more contemporary looking and an ideal option if your deck subsurface has some slight imperfections or if you want a look that’s a little more forgiving over time. Patterns provide visual variation that helps mask minor wear, scuffs, and dirt, while still delivering a natural, sophisticated appearance.
A key consideration with patterns is pattern repeat – the interval at which a design element repeats across the vinyl which are typically every 24“ down the length of the roll. On smaller decks, this isn’t usually noticeable, but on larger decks, repeating elements can become apparent and sometimes feel repetitive. Your installer can help plan the layout to minimize visible repetition, ensuring the deck looks cohesive from every angle.
Heat and Comfort Considerations
Darker colors absorb more heat, while lighter colors reflect heat and can help maintain a cooler surface, which is especially important for south-facing decks or roof decks that receive direct sunlight most of the day.
Duradek’s Cool-Dek colors are designed to reflect more heat than standard options, keeping your deck more comfortable in hot conditions.
UV Exposure & Fading
Even though Duradek vinyl is made with UV inhibitors, like everything that is exposed to UV rays, no vinyl decking is completely fade-proof. How color and pattern interact with UV exposure matters:
- Solid vs. patterned vinyl: High-contrast solid colors can show fading sooner than low-contrast patterns.
- Light vs. dark tones: Lighter colors generally fade less noticeably than darker tones.
- Orientation: South facing decks get the most intense sun and may show subtle fading over time. Lower-contrast patterns tend to age less noticeably under these conditions.
Planning for UV exposure during color and pattern selection will help your deck maintain its appearance over time.
Other Orientation Considerations
Deck orientation affects both comfort and appearance:
- North-facing decks: Typically cooler and less prone to heat buildup, but may collect more condensation or debris. Patterns can help camouflage dirt and debris.
- South-facing decks: Receive the most sun and heat; lighter colors or Cool-Dek shades improve comfort and reduce fading.
By factoring in orientation, you’ll select a color and pattern that looks good and feels comfortable year-round.
Why Substrate Preparation Matters
Before vinyl installation, the deck surface needs to be smooth, clean, and properly prepped. Solid colors are the most unforgiving, revealing minor bumps, gaps, or imperfections. Even patterned vinyl benefits from proper substrate prep, as a well-prepped surface improves adhesion, prevents bubbling, and helps your deck last longer.
Product Tiers
Duradek offers two main product tiers to suit different budgets, performance needs, and project types. The installation process, including adhesives, trims, and labour, is the same for both tiers, so the primary cost difference comes from the vinyl itself. Choosing the higher-tier product provides a longer warranty and greater long-term value.
Best: Ultra Woven Back (60mil)
- Full range of colors and patterns.
- 15-year warranty covering waterproofing, 5-year appearance, and workmanship as determined by the applicating company.
- Ideal for high-use decks, roof decks over living spaces, or when long-term value is a priority.
Better: Ultra Non-Woven Back (60mil)
- Limited colors, single pattern option.
- Balanced performance and affordability.
- 10-year warranty covering waterproofing, 1-year appearance, and workmanship as determined by the applicating company.
- Good for standard decks where budget is a consideration but durability is still important.
How to Choose: Consider your project’s requirements, expected use, and budget. Areas above living spaces or decks with heavy traffic often benefit most from the top-tier option, while secondary or lower-traffic areas may do well with mid-tier products.
Installation Detail Options
Installation detail affects both appearance and performance. Like most construction work, there are different levels of how details can be handled, ranging from basic to best practice, but they don’t all deliver the same outcome.
A Duradek dealer will typically quote the best-practice approach because it yields the most reliable results over the long term. These methods can be more labour-intensive and may require additional steps, which can raise the overall cost.
Best Practice: This includes removing doors to properly waterproof sills, installing full flashing, and taking extra care with finishing. It’s the most thorough option and provides the highest level of protection and a cleaner look.
Budget-conscious details: For requests that deviate from Duradek’s best practices, such as installing without removing doors, the work can still be done, but it requires a discussion with your installer about how it may affect waterproofing reliability and warranty coverage, along with signed homeowner approval.
Whatever approach you choose, have an open conversation with your installer about your expectations, your budget, and how you plan to use the space. This helps ensure your deck looks the way you want and performs the way it should.
Seams
All vinyl decks that are wider than the width of the roll (Duradek is 72” wide) will have seams, and placement affects both looks and performance:
- Fewer seams using full rolls gives a cleaner appearance (higher cost).
- T-seams reduce material waste (more budget-friendly).
- Routered seams create a flush, more continuous look (higher cost).
Seam placement should consider budget, furniture layout and traffic patterns, and visual preference to determine the ideal layout.
Choosing the right color, pattern, embossing, and product tier impacts both the long-term performance and appearance of your Duradek deck. Consider heat, sun exposure, substrate condition, pattern repeat, and seam options when making decisions. Reviewing physical samples in natural light and consulting with an authorized Duradek installer will help you make the best choice for your home.
Ready for the next step? Explore your options, review samples, and talk with an authorized installer to ensure your deck looks amazing and performs perfectly for years to come.
