Urethane vs Acrylic Deck Coatings: Which Is Better?

When it comes to waterproofing deck coating assemblies under tile, there is a debate among contractors about which product works best. The two waterproof deck coating products that are most commonly debated are urethane and acrylics. When working on a deck, it is important to use a product that is actually waterproof and will not fail. In this blog, we talk about urethanes used under tile deck assemblies.

Pros and Cons of Urethane Deck Coating

Urethanes have impressive elongation, which is an important quality because changes in the temperature make the framing of the deck expand and contract. Urethane is used in the waterproof coating industry because it can span the many changes that a deck goes through in exterior environments.

However, in a costal environments that frequently see fog and mild temperatures, underlying materials have difficulty drying out, which can cause urethanes to fail. Urethanes tend to remain submerged in moisture under tile and develop a sweating effect. With damp weather and poor ventilation, urethane deck coatings will start to corrode the nailing, underlying wire, and deck flashing. If the nails become rusted, the nail heads can start to lift and puncture the membrane. This can cause the substrate to move around too much, which might make the membrane fracture.

The majority of assemblies are a bonderized galvanized sheet metal, though some are copper or stainless. It is important to note that bonderized galvanized material corrode more easily along the California coast. However, no assembly is immune to corrosion. In fact, our professionals have repaired failures on both acrylic and urethane assemblies.

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Deck Contractors in SLO

At Deck Tech, our experienced contractors have been helping customers in San Luis Obispo repair and install their decks for more than 30 years. We are committed to providing you with top-quality service and precision craftsmanship. We serve Avila Beach, Shell Beach, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Los Osos, Cayucos, and Cambria. Let us get to work for you today!