Rubber Vs Vinyl: What's the Better Type of Garden Hose?

What's the Better Kind Of Garden Hose?

Rolling out the garden hose to water the yard, your flowers and landscaping is somewhat of a rite of spring. But do you understand what type of hose is best for you? Yes, even the most seemingly simple gardening tools have a range of choices for property owners to select from. In terms of garden hoses, there are things like thickness, length and material that must be considered. The latter aspect is one of the most essential to consider and usually comes down to whether a rubber or vinyl/plastic garden hose is best for your scenario.

So what will it be for you - plastic or rubber? Here's a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Plastic/Vinyl

Generally speaking, plastic or vinyl garden tubes are the less expensive of the two previously mentioned hose alternatives. They're also better for more fundamental gardening needs, as these hose pipes tend to be lighter in weight and simpler to manage, yet less long lasting than their rubber counterparts. Here's a look at more advantages and disadvantages of plastic or vinyl pipes:

PRO: Good for mild climates. Plastic has a tendency to warp when exposed to prolonged hot temperatures. Usually, the more moderate environments are perfect for this hose type. While it can still be used in more extreme conditions, homeowners are frequently encouraged to keep it when not using it to prevent warping and premature wear in such conditions.

CON: Kinks. Plastic or vinyl hose pipes kink much easier than rubber ones.

CON: Damage easier. Plastic/vinyl hoses don't roll up as simple as rubber ones and are more likely to break and establish leakages in cold weather.

Rubber

Rubber pipes are a more costly alternative than plastic/vinyl hoses and therefore featured a higher up-front expense. But they are also more long lasting and perfect for more intensive gardening operations. Here's a more detailed look at some advantages and disadvantages of rubber tubes:

PRO: Long lasting. Rubber tubes are much better quality than plastic/vinyl, indicating they last longer, are much easier to keep and more resistant to kinks. They are also better able to endure more extreme climate condition than plastic or vinyl pipes. They can also be purchased with a strengthened lining that makes them more resistant to kinking and splitting.

CON: Heavy. Rubber hoses are more resilient than vinyl hoses - that's good. But they're also much heavier and more labor intensive to maneuver, which can be off-putting for many. If you're still not sold on either of the previously mentioned options, why rule out a hose that's the very best of both worlds? That's right, rubber/vinyl hose mixes are offered that combine the light-weight of plastic hose pipes with the sturdiness of rubber hoses. However, one con to this type of hybrid hose is that they are often priced more than standard rubber tubes, which are the more costly choice in the rubber vs. plastic garden hose arena. So a rubber/vinyl hose will likely be the most expensive choice you can obtain.

So what will it be for you and your gardening requires - plastic, rubber or hybrid?

Visit Best Garden Hose To Use With Pressure Washer to learn more.