8 Problems with Aeratis Porch Flooring (Explained)
Aeratis Flooring is a strong sculpted PVC tongue-and-groove porch plank that surpasses wood, open-cell PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polypropylene. All Aeratis products are much easier to assemble than wood. You can use them on both encased and open porches.
Aeratis flooring for your porch has commendable durability. It also offers you many diversified traditional and historical designs that will keep your patio looking great all year round. And for a very long time.
However, several issues exist with Aeratis porch floorings such as the high installation cost and moisture accumulation. Other Aeratis porch flooring problems include fading, repair costs, and health concerns.
Types of Aeratis Porch Flooring
There are 4 types of Aeratis porch flooring, namely:
- Heritage: Have true double-sided tongue and groove planks in three distinct hues, Weathered Wood, Vintage Slate, and Battleship Gray. You can both paint or strain this version.
- Legacy: These are 6″ wide tongue and groove planks. These resemble the historic planks used in the 1900s with a unique richness in their composition and hues. You also get it in three colors similar to the Heritage.
- Traditions: These are paint-ready versions that offer you choices of getting the planks made of fir, pine, or mahogany. They have significantly low maintenance and are available in the same three colors mentioned in the other version.
- Universal porch plank: These PVC planks measure ½” by ⅞” by 12′. They also come in three colors plus a paint-ready version. One corner of these porch flooring planks is rounded, offering any builder a diversity in designing.
The following 8 problems face all of these 4 types.
8 Problems with Aeratis Porch Flooring
1. The cost of installation is high
On average, the Traditional version of Aeratis costs $2.57 per linear foot, less than wooden flooring. On the other hand, the cost of installation could be pretty high.
The installation will necessitate specialized knowledge, which will cost you a few dollars more.
2. Moisture build-up
There is a risk of moisture build-up if the Aeratis planks are installed incorrectly, leaving gaps between the boards. This is because water seeps in between the cracks and settles there.
The accumulated moisture is harmful to the entire structure, causing the planks to swell and buckle over time.
This could eventually lead to the PVC Aeratis flooring not lasting as long as advertised. Nonetheless, the solution to this problem is to hire professionals to perform the installations correctly.
3. Fading
Another problem with the Aeratis porch flooring is that it fades and loses its luster. The most common cause of Aeratis PVC flooring fading is exposure to direct sunlight.
And, because most porches I’ve seen are open to the elements, direct sunlight reaches the planks with little or no shade.
The immediate solution is constructing a cover above the flooring that filters the sunlight.
4. Expensive or impossible to repair
Another major issue with Aeratis porch flooring is that its repair costs are exorbitant. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around $957.
The cost, however, may vary depending on the extent of the damage, the location, and the type used. In extreme cases, you may need to replace the entire flooring system, which can be pretty costly.
5. Easy to scratch and dented
After dragging in a heavy piece of furniture, no one wants to see a dent or scratch on their porch floor. Unfortunately, this is a possibility with the Aeratis Porch floor.
This contrasts with wooden floors, which have a higher scratch and dent resistance.
One option is to use mats and carpets to protect your Aeratis porch flooring from scratches and dents.
Also, when dragging anything heavy, including furniture, make sure to lift it up or use a dolly to move it from one location to another.
6. When compared to wooden porch flooring, Aeratis porch flooring has a shorter lifespan
Before any repairs are needed, a well-installed and maintained Aeratis porch floor has a lifespan of one to two decades. With the same amount of care, wooden floors can last for generations.
This means that the Aeratis porch floor will need to be replaced a few times in a lifetime. The wooden floor, on the other hand, has remained intact throughout.
7. Aeratis porch flooring planks are non-recyclable
If you were to move and wanted to disassemble the Aeratis planks to use in your new home, that would be impossible.
The main reason for this is that an adhesive material is used to install the Aeratis porch flooring planks. Some of the planks may be destroyed if they are dislodged.
This way, it’s possible that you won’t be able to reuse them.
8. Health concerns
PVC flooring in general, which includes Aeratis Porche flooring, may emit volatile organic compounds over time. And this is a huge problem.
VOCs are a chemical family that encompasses a wide range of compounds.
Dioxins are a significant concern for PVC flooring, including Aeratis Porch flooring. These chemical compounds are not only hazardous to human health, but they can also have disastrous consequences for the environment.
Dioxins have been linked to various cancers, including cancers of the larynx, esophagus, non-lymphoma, Hodgkin’s, etc.
PVC is also a known source of phthalate toxins, in addition to dioxins. Phthalates have been linked to respiratory problems and may also contribute to hormonal imbalances.
When it comes to phthalates, PVC flooring is especially concerning because these chemicals are used to soften the vinyl, making it a better flooring material.
The solution is to look for low-VOC PVC flooring.
How to Avoid These Problems Associated with Aeratis Porch Flooring
Isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?
As a result, here are 4 ways to avoid the problems associated with Aeratis porch flooring:
1. Buy the authentic planks
The number one most effective way to mitigate any of the problems above is to get the original product. Buying counterfeits will result in an even shorter lifespan.
Getting the fake Aeratis porch planks might have you getting sub-standard planks. These may also have high levels of VOC emission, posing a lot of danger to you and your family.
They will not look as professional or appealing as they should, which is an entirely new problem on its own.
2. Get professionals to do the installations
The second and most crucial step is to hire professionals to install your system. They have the necessary skills to do a fantastic job.
To avoid moisture build-up, they’ll ensure the planks are well-fitted with no gaps.
3. Consider adding a shade to your porch
Wear and tear and fading are both addressed by draping a shade over your Aeratis porch flooring.
The shade acts as a shield, sheltering the planks from the sun’s harmful rays.
4. Use the appropriate care and maintenance tips the brand offers
Lastly, to keep the surface of the flooring plus the structure solid, be sure to follow the following care and maintenance tips offered on their website;
- Properly clean the surface after installation.
- Regularly sweep to remove debris.
- Use Murphy’s Oil Soap to wash.
- Use rubber-backed mats.
- Use rock salt, warm water, or calcium chloride to melt ice.
- Use a pressure washer for thorough cleaning.
Bottom Line
Aeratis porch flooring is a well-known brand in the industry that offers numerous advantages, such as its stunning appearance. They also come in a variety of colors and are simple to install.
However, as previously stated, they have several disadvantages. Fortunately, most of these issues have solutions, which I’ve highlighted as well. Take these precautions to ensure that your Aeratis porch flooring lasts longer and looks great all year round.