Is DuraDek Worth It? RoofSmart’s Honest Product Review

Are you trying to decide whether DuraDek is worth the investment, or if there's a better rooftop deck waterproofing system for your Seattle home? Are you wondering how DuraDek actually performs on real Seattle homes?

Choosing the right rooftop deck membrane is a big decision because it's responsible for both waterproofing your home and creating the finished walking surface you'll use every day.

At RoofSmart, we have installed around 100 DuraDek rooftop decks. We recommend it to any homeowner who wants a textured membrane because we’ve found that it has excellent durability and waterproofing, among other benefits.

In this honest review, we'll explain what DuraDek is, where it performs exceptionally well, the drawbacks we've observed after installing it on dozens of Seattle-area rooftop decks, and who we believe will get the most value from choosing it.

DuraDek at a Glance: Key Features, Benefits, and Considerations

What is DuraDek roofing?

DuraDek is a textured membrane used as the final layer of your rooftop deck. Unlike other membranes (like PVC or TPO), it is textured on the top to give your rooftop deck a nice finish and is completely waterproof.

DuraDek is the original sheet vinyl membrane. The company was established in 1974 and since then has continuously grown in size and popularity. They’ve made some changes to the design over time, but it has been in use on rooftop decks across the country for over 50 years now.

At RoofSmart, we recommend DuraDek to our customers because it is incredibly durable and lasts for a long time.

What are the benefits of installing DuraDek roofing?

DuraDek is a great rooftop deck material for Seattle homeowners. It has a lot of great benefits, including:

• Durability and Strength: DuraDek has a very thick PVC layer above the reinforcement scrim that prevents premature wear. Other textured membranes have a much thinner layer above the scrim. One of the primary wear characteristics of PVC, whether it's textured or otherwise, is how much thickness there is of the PVC above the reinforcement scrim. If the scrim is only skin deep, then very little wear will expose it, and it'll start to fall apart.
• Professional Installation Only: This is not a product that any homeowner can buy and install themself. It requires specialized knowledge to install. DuraDek has an authorized-installer-only network that ensures contractors are properly trained and familiar with the best installation practices. All of this prevents the inevitable failures that would happen if someone without training tried to install it.
• Flexibility: DuraDek molds well in tricky spots (like corners and edges) without tearing. This flexibility makes it easier to work with and ensures that your roofer will be able to seal it well everywhere, which is crucial for proper waterproofing in Seattle’s rain.
• Cost-Effective: Compared to other types of roof deck materials, installing a textured membrane like DuraDek is cheaper. For example, it is less expensive than installing a separate roof membrane with tiles on top.
• No maintenance needed: DuraDek doesn’t need to be repainted or recoated after it’s installed. Cleaning it as needed is the only maintenance it requires.
• Longevity: DuraDek membranes are expected to last for a long time (over 20 years). The amount of time that it lasts depends on the conditions that it’s installed in. For example, if DuraDek is installed on a rooftop deck with a cover over it, then it might last longer because it’s more protected. But if it’s installed on a roof near the ocean, the salty air might cause it to wear out faster.

Because DuraDek is a great quality product and the company won’t sell it to regular homeowners, this decreases the number of times homeowners experience installation mistakes or other issues with the product.

At RoofSmart, we’ve installed DuraDek on around 100 rooftop decks around the Seattle area, and each customer has been very pleased with it.

The only time we’ve seen issues on a DuraDek roof is when a homeowner calls us to come help fix a problem caused by an uncertified contractor who installed it.

What are the disadvantages of DuraDek roofing?

Although there are a lot of features that make DuraDek an appealing choice for Seattle homeowners, this wouldn’t be an honest review if we didn’t acknowledge potential cons.

There are two cons that we’ve noticed while installing and replacing DuraDek membranes:

• Fading in the sun: One inevitable con that DuraDek has is that it starts to look worn because the sun eventually makes it fade in places. This depends on how much direct sunlight it gets, and it doesn’t happen for years. But you will eventually notice that the color fades. This is something that pretty much every roofing material experiences in one way or another and is extremely difficult to prevent. UV rays from the sun always degrade these materials after a while.
• Labor-intensive installation: To make sure that your rooftop deck looks perfectly smooth and stays that way for as long as possible with a textured membrane like DuraDek, your roofer will need to take some extra steps to prep the roof before installation. This includes getting top-quality plywood, covering nail holes, and sanding down the whole thing to make it perfectly smooth and level. Although it’s cheaper than installing tiles, it’s still an expensive process due to all the added labor.
  

It’s up to you to decide if either of these things is a dealbreaker. But remember that any rooftop deck installation will be expensive, and pretty much all roofing materials fade over time.

Is DuraDek the right fit for my Seattle home?

DuraDek is a great choice for any Seattle homeowner with a rooftop deck who is interested in installing a textured membrane. If you’re looking for the lowest-cost rooftop deck material, then DuraDek is a good choice.

DuraDek is also ideal for decks with limited door clearance because it installs directly on the plywood sheathing. You don’t have to worry about adding height, like you would with tile or planks.

How much does it cost to install a DuraDek rooftop deck in Seattle?

As you've seen, DuraDek is one of the strongest options available for homeowners who want a durable, low-maintenance rooftop deck that performs well in Seattle's wet climate. Its waterproof design, long lifespan, and attractive finish make it an excellent value for many homes, even if the installation requires more preparation than some alternatives.

Of course, one of the biggest questions homeowners have after deciding DuraDek is a good fit is: How much will it actually cost?

The answer depends on more than just the membrane itself. The size of your deck, the amount of prep work required, structural repairs, railings, and installation details all play a role in the final price.

Read our article “How Much Does It Cost to Install a Rooftop Deck in Seattle?”

In this guide, we'll break down the typical cost of installing a rooftop deck in the Seattle area, explain the factors that influence pricing the most, and help you understand what to expect before starting your project.