If you have ever considered PVC decking, you might already know that there are numerous materials that you can buy, from hard and softwood to PVC. PVC is a popular choice for people, as it will be very resilient to harsher weather like wind and rain.
The main reason for this durability is the color, however, that can also be the reason why your decking gets so hot in the first place. If your decking is under the baking hot sun for most of the day, then you can expect it to be hot enough to fry an egg on. So how best to keep it cool?
Where can you find the best furniture for keeping your decking in the shade? Why does this decking get hot in the first place? Would it be better to have something made from different materials? What alternatives can you get for PVC decking? How much will one of the deckings cost you?
Well, if you are interested in the answers to some of these questions and then some, we would recommend that you read on. We have a complete how-to guide for PVC decking, how to keep it cool and how to make sure that it will last you for the foreseeable future.
PVC is known as being one of the most durable materials that you can currently get on the market. It is used to make clothing, furniture and gardening equipment. It is very easy to maintain and is incredibly water-resistant.
One of the reasons why so many people opt for PVC is because of its water-resistant properties. It will not only not succumb to wood rot, but it will be less susceptible to the natural expansion and contraction that often comes with wood beams as they swell and shrink with the heat and the water.
However, plastic is very susceptible to high temperatures, more than wood, which does absorb heat but not to the same extent. If you already have a PVC deck, then you might already have gone out there in the morning in bare feet only to find yourself getting burned.
Does PVC Decking Get Hot (And why)?
PVC decking does get a lot hotter than other materials, this is both due to the materials that it is made out of as well as the color. Dark colors tend to be far more absorbent than a lot of other materials. If you have plain wood decking, then you’ll already know that it doesn’t get that hot, which is mostly due to the light textures as well as the color.
This PVC decking can even get hot enough to burn, especially the delicate soles of your feet. There have been some users that have reported that they can’t walk out onto their decking in the middle of the day without having to wear some form of footwear.
How Hot Does PVC Decking Get?
PVC decking does get very hot, with some people being unable to walk on their decking without having shoes on. This will get a lot hotter than the traditional wood decking. Both soft and hardwood will get equally as hot, but both are significantly less hot than PVC.
Why PVC Decking Is Better
This decking is better for a whole host of reasons, although some people might not get it because of the heat retention issue. This PVC material will not only get hot, but it will have the capacity to warp and bend, which will not only look awful in your garden, but it will also make it very difficult to use.
PVC decking is much better for its water-resistant properties. It won’t succumb to rot as quickly as wood will, although it will soon succumb to water damage if left unattended for long enough. Make sure that you cover it with tarpaulin and have drainage during the rainier months.
How Do You Cool Down Your PVC Decking?
Your decking might get boiling hot during the summer seasons, although there will be some ways that you can avoid this. Below are some of the best methods that we’ve found for keeping your decking cool during the intense summer heat:
Adding shades – if you have a large decking umbrella, this is a great method of keeping your decking below nice and cool. However, the sun does have an annoying tendency to move across the sky. You can invest in a marquis that will cover the entire area, no matter where the sun is.
Planting trees – this is a more natural and aesthetically pleasing method of blocking out the sun. These trees will make your garden look a lot more pleasant and be a nice counterpoint to the quite artificial PVC decking.
Remove your stoves and grills – if you find that you are cooking on your decking in the summer, maybe place your grills in a place where they won’t warm the decking underneath.
Install a fan – if you have an electric fan on your decking, then you can be sure that you’ll have a better chance of cooling down your hot patio. You can also try misting fans that spray cold water onto your decking.
Lay rugs down – this will be an easy way to keep your decking cool, as they will absorb most of the heat from the sun. However, make sure that you get rugs with a soft underneath, as the metal or plastic will often scratch the surface of your decking and cause it to lose its functionality.
Consider moving your decking – if you have the money and the time, you could always move your decking to a shadier part of the garden.
