Installed aluminum vs a DIY PVC kit
PVC panel kits are sold through retailers for homeowners to put up themselves. Here is how one compares with an aluminum ceiling we install, and when the kit is the better choice.
Side by side
| Feature | Installed by us | DIY PVC kit |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum with a baked-on finish | PVC (vinyl) panels that lock into PVC rails |
| Rust and corrosion | Aluminum doesn't rust | PVC is plastic, so it can't rust |
| Who installs | Our crew. Most decks take 1–3 days. | You, or an installer you hire yourself |
| Install on an existing deck | Yes, from below | Yes, from below |
| Deck boards | Stay in place on existing decks | Stay in place |
| Flashing at the house | Included. We do it first. | Your job, or your installer's |
| Gutter and downspout | Included | Check the parts list. They may be sold separately. |
| Headroom used | Typically 3–5 in. below the joists | Varies by kit and slope |
| Cleaning and access | Hose rinse; panels unclip for a deeper clean | Varies. On some kits, panels unzip for cleaning. |
| Lighting options | Flush star lights, plus mounts for fans, surface lights and heaters | Some kits offer a plug-in low-voltage light kit |
| Workmanship warranty | Lifetime workmanship warranty | You are the installer, so the workmanship is yours. Ask the maker what its warranty covers. |
| Typical installed cost | About $33–$52 per sq ft, $6,500 minimum. A 16 × 25 ft deck: $14,800 – $18,400. | Varies. You pay for parts, and the labor is your time. |
Our price comes from the same calculator as the estimator, with standard colors and no add-ons. Other systems differ by maker and installer, so where we say “varies”, ask for the specifics. Price your exact deck
When a DIY kit is the better choice
You're handy and have the time
A kit needs basic tools: a tape measure, drill, level and saw. If you're comfortable on a ladder with those and careful with details, you can do this yourself.
Budget comes first
You pay for parts, not a crew's time, so you spend less cash.
You're outside our area
We install in the Denver metro and the Colorado Front Range. Kits are sold through retailers across the country.
How to choose
- 1
Be honest about the flashing. Most leaks start where the deck meets the house.
- 2
Read the parts list. Check whether the gutter, downspout and trim are included.
- 3
Plan the slope. Water needs a steady fall to the gutter, so follow the kit's minimum.
- 4
Price the whole job: parts, fasteners, any tools you'd buy, and your time.
- 5
Ask the kit maker what its warranty covers when you install it yourself.
Questions about DIY kits
Can I install an under-deck ceiling myself?
Yes. PVC kits are sold through retailers for that. The work is measuring, fastening rails under the joists, setting the slope and fitting the panels. Take the most care with the flashing at the house, since most leaks start there.
Is a kit cheaper than having it installed?
In cash, usually yes, because you're the labor. Add up the full parts list, including any gutter and downspout the kit leaves out. Ours runs about $33–$52 per sq ft installed, labor and materials included, with a $6,500 minimum. Bigger decks cost less per square foot.
Who fixes it if it leaks?
With a kit you put up, the workmanship is yours, so a leak from the install is yours to fix. With ours: if our installation leaks or fails because of how we built it, we fix it at no cost for as long as you own the home.
Can I add lights?
Some kits offer a plug-in low-voltage light kit. Ours offers flush star lights wired by a licensed electrician, plus waterproofed mounts for fans, surface lights and heaters.
See your price in under a minute.
No account and no sales call to see a number. A firm quote follows within one business day.