After twenty years of installing these things, here's the order of operations I'd use if I were buying one tomorrow.
Step 1: Figure out what you're covering
This is the first question because it determines which product category you need.
Balcony, above living space — Most vinyl membranes are fine. You want a pedestrian-rated coating and a reasonable warranty. Thicker (68mil) wears better on high-traffic balconies. Most residential balcony projects fall here.
Flat rooftop deck — You need a roofing-classified membrane. That typically means 60mil with a woven or PVC backing, code-approved for roofing use. Fire rating (Class A or C) matters here if local code requires it — usually on attached structures or multi-family.
Ground-level patio — Vinyl isn't usually the right answer. You want something that handles standing water differently. Composite or wood makes more sense.
Step 2: Decide how much margin you want
Vinyl membrane thickness is measured in mils (thousandths of an inch). Common options:
- 45mil — Thin, shorter warranty, less expensive. Fine for low-traffic surfaces or non-permitted decks, not my pick for residential use.
- 60mil — Industry standard. Meets building code for roofing. Does the job on most installs.
- 68mil — Thicker. Gives you more puncture resistance and wear tolerance. Useful on high-traffic balconies with furniture.
Thicker doesn't waterproof better — that's settled once the membrane seals. Thicker helps against damage: grill feet, patio chairs, dropped tools, and twenty years of foot traffic. On a balcony you're going to live with for two decades, I'd take the extra 13%.
Step 3: Read the warranty, not the headline
"10-year warranty" doesn't mean the same thing across brands. What you actually want to know:
- Does it cover the membrane, or the installation, or both?
- Is there a workmanship warranty required from installers?
- What's excluded? (Hint: sometimes "normal wear" is excluded, which makes the whole thing worth less.)
- Is the warranty document publicly available?
If you can't read the warranty before you sign, you can't evaluate it. More on what to read here.
Step 4: Check the installer network
A great product with no certified installer near you becomes a not-great product. Before you fall in love with a brand, verify they have dealers in your area. Ask the manufacturer for a list. Call two of the dealers. Get a sense of availability, pricing, and personality.
Step 5: Audit the pricing
If you can see material pricing published, you can audit a quote — decompose it into material + labour + margin and judge whether the labour portion is reasonable. If the manufacturer hides pricing entirely, you're trusting your installer's markup. Both are normal; one is easier on the buyer.
The short version
For most balcony projects: pick a 68mil fleece-backed membrane, published pricing if possible, dealer within driving distance, workmanship warranty in writing. For rooftop decks: 60mil roofing-classified membrane with Class A/C fire rating, same installer criteria.
