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 rather of a rite of spring. But do you know what kind of hose is best for you? Yes, even the most seemingly simple gardening tools have a variety of choices for house owners to pick from. In regards to garden pipes, there are things like thickness, length and product that must be considered. The latter factor 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 situation.

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

Plastic/Vinyl

Generally speaking, plastic or vinyl garden hose pipes are the less expensive of the two aforementioned hose options. They're also much better for more standard gardening needs, as these hoses tend to be lighter in weight and easier to deal with, yet less long lasting than their rubber equivalents. Here's a look at more benefits and drawbacks of plastic or vinyl hose pipes:

PRO: Helpful for mild climates. Plastic has a tendency to warp when exposed to extended hot temperature levels. Normally, the more mild climates are perfect for this hose type. While it can still be used in more extreme conditions, homeowners are typically encouraged to keep it when not using it to avoid warping and premature wear in such conditions.

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

CON: Damage simpler. Plastic/vinyl hose pipes don't roll up as simple as rubber ones and are most likely to crack and develop leaks in cold weather.

Rubber

Rubber tubes are a more costly option than plastic/vinyl hose pipes and for that reason included a greater up-front cost. But they are also more durable and perfect for more intensive gardening operations. Here's a closer take a look at some benefits and drawbacks of rubber tubes:

PRO: Long lasting. Rubber hoses are better quality than plastic/vinyl, meaning they last longer, are much easier to save and more resistant to kinks. They are also better able to sustain more extreme weather conditions than plastic or vinyl pipes. They can also be bought with a strengthened lining which makes them more resistant to kinking and splitting.

CON: Heavy. Rubber tubes are more durable than vinyl hoses - that's excellent. But they're also much heavier and more labor intensive to navigate, 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 very best of both worlds? That's right, rubber/vinyl hose mixes are readily available that integrate the light-weight of plastic pipes with the sturdiness of rubber hose pipes. However, one con to this kind of hybrid hose is that they are frequently priced more than standard rubber hoses, which are the more expensive option in the rubber vs. plastic garden hose arena. So a rubber/vinyl hose will likely be the most costly choice you can acquire.

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.