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 lawn, your flowers and landscaping is somewhat of a rite of spring. But do you understand what kind of hose is best for you? Yes, even the most relatively easy gardening tools have a variety of options for house owners to pick from. In terms of garden hoses, there are things like density, length and product that need to be considered. The latter element 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 benefits and drawbacks of each.

Plastic/Vinyl

Usually speaking, plastic or vinyl garden pipes are the more affordable of the two previously mentioned hose choices. They're also better for more standard gardening requirements, as these hose pipes tend to be lighter in weight and simpler to deal with, yet less resilient than their rubber equivalents. Here's a look at more advantages and disadvantages of plastic or vinyl tubes:

PRO: Helpful for moderate climates. Plastic tends to warp when exposed to extended hot temperature levels. Generally, the more mild climates are perfect for this hose type. While it can still be used in more severe conditions, homeowners are frequently encouraged to store it when not using it to avoid warping and early wear in such conditions.

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

CON: Damage much easier. Plastic/vinyl pipes don't roll up as easy as rubber ones and are most likely to split and establish leaks in cold weather.

Rubber

Rubber hoses are a more expensive option than plastic/vinyl tubes and for that reason featured a higher up-front cost. But they are also more long lasting and perfect for more extensive gardening operations. Here's a better look at some advantages and disadvantages of rubber pipes:

PRO: Long lasting. Rubber tubes are much better quality than plastic/vinyl, suggesting they last longer, are much easier to keep and more resistant to kinks. They are also much better able to sustain more severe weather than plastic or vinyl tubes. They can also be purchased with a reinforced lining which makes them more resistant to kinking and breaking.

CON: Heavy. Rubber hoses are more durable than vinyl hoses - that's great. But they're also heavier and more labor intensive to steer, 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 offered that combine the light-weight of plastic hose pipes with the durability of rubber tubes. However, one con to this type of hybrid hose is that they are typically priced more than basic rubber hose pipes, which are the more pricey option in the rubber vs. plastic garden hose arena. So a rubber/vinyl hose will likely be the most costly choice 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.