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

What's the Better Type 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 know what kind of hose is best for you? Yes, even the most relatively simple gardening tools have a variety of alternatives for homeowners to select from. In terms of garden tubes, there are things like density, length and product that should be considered. The latter factor is among the most crucial to consider and generally boils 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

Normally speaking, plastic or vinyl garden tubes are the less expensive of the two abovementioned hose options. They're also much better for more basic gardening requirements, as these pipes tend to be lighter in weight and much easier to manage, yet less long lasting than their rubber counterparts. Here's a look at more pros and cons of plastic or vinyl hoses:

PRO: Good for moderate climates. Plastic has a tendency to warp when exposed to prolonged hot temperatures. Generally, the more mild climates are ideal for this hose type. While it can still be used in more extreme conditions, property owners are typically recommended to store it when not using it to prevent warping and premature wear in such conditions.

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

CON: Damage simpler. Plastic/vinyl hoses don't roll up as easy as rubber ones and are most likely to split and establish leakages in cold weather.

Rubber

Rubber pipes are a more costly choice than plastic/vinyl tubes and for that reason come with a greater up-front expense. But they are also more durable and perfect for more extensive gardening operations. Here's a better take a look at some pros and cons of rubber tubes:

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

CON: Heavy. Rubber hoses are more long lasting than vinyl hoses - that's excellent. 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 abovementioned alternatives, why rule out a hose that's the best of both worlds? That's right, rubber/vinyl hose combinations are available that integrate the lightweight of plastic tubes with the sturdiness of rubber tubes. Nevertheless, one con to this type of hybrid hose is that they are frequently priced more than standard rubber hoses, which are the more expensive alternative in the rubber vs. plastic garden hose arena. So a rubber/vinyl hose will likely be the most pricey alternative you can get.

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

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