Been looking into protecting my deck from the constant rain we get around here, and I'm stuck between using a waterproof sealer or installing one of those vinyl membrane things. Anyone tried either? Curious which holds up better long-term.
"Been looking into protecting my deck from the constant rain we get around here, and I'm stuck between using a waterproof sealer or installing one of those vinyl membrane things."
I went through this exact debate myself last year—old house, charming deck, and relentless rain. Ended up going with a waterproof sealer because the vinyl membrane felt a bit too modern for my creaky Victorian tastes. It's held up surprisingly well so far, though I do have to reapply every couple years. Just make sure you pick a dry weekend... learned that lesson the hard way!
I get the appeal of sealers, but honestly, after years of reapplying and watching my deck slowly deteriorate anyway, I finally bit the bullet and went with the vinyl membrane. Yeah, it felt a little weird at first—like putting a raincoat on my deck—but it's been a lifesaver. No more annual sealing weekends or worrying about missing spots. Plus, long-term, it's actually saved me money... and sanity. Just something to consider if you're tired of the maintenance treadmill.
