Traditionally, teak has been used to construct boat flooring since it is a tropical hardwood that holds up well in the severe sea climate. Teak is an excellent decking material because it looks wonderful, weathers well, and provides years of service if it is installed properly and maintained properly. On the other hand, while many people appreciate the fact that teak turns silver with age (and so is not necessarily a negative), it is vulnerable to staining from fuel, oil and chemical spills, and caution must be exercised when cleaning it to avoid harming the grain of the wood. Shrinkage and water damage/rot are also possible problems.
Revitalized Sanding And Re-Caulking
Teak decks may be revitalized by sanding and re-caulking, often more than once, to lengthen their life a fine teak deck can endure for well in excess of ten years before it requires any maintenance or repair work.Teak continues to be a popular choice for bigger vessels, although it is both expensive and difficult to lay well.
As a result of decades of exploitation, teak trees have become scarce in their natural habitat, while most of the teak used in boat construction comes from sustainable plantation.Alternative decking surfaces, many of which are synthetic teak lookalikes, are becoming increasingly popular among boat flooring. The majority of the new breed promise to provide greater performance, durability, and simplicity of application.
Less in Weight And Expense
When compared to regular teak, they are easier to clean and require less upkeep. They are typically less in weight and less expensive as well.Other advantages, which vary depending on the product, include: resistance to petrochemical spills, discoloration, and fungus infestations; ultraviolet stability; and the capacity to tolerate high-pressure washing and cleaning. Most have excellent non-slip capabilities, are cool underfoot, and can have designs or stenciled boat names/logos, among other things, cut into them with a router to make them more personalized.
Several deck coverings are available in a variety of colors, allowing boat builders to match their decks to the color schemes of their gel coats and paints, as well as their furnishings.Alternate decking materials have become increasingly popular among New Zealand trailer-boat producers, who are now incorporating them into cockpit floors, side and front decks as well as non-slip zones and steps.
Specific Vessel
Others are simple to cut and fit in situ using appropriate glues; other goods can be delivered pre-cut to fit a specific vessel or model in a range, and many come with adhesive backing, making them super-easy to apply; others can be supplied uncut and fit in situ using appropriate glues.
The majority of alternative deck materials, including conventional teak, can be used on aluminum, fiberglass, and wooden boats, just as they can on traditional teak. Recent years have seen a significant uptake in the use of new deck coverings, with prominent brands such as Extreme Boats including items such as MarineDeck 2000 (a manufactured wood [cork]) and SeaDek EVA products into their designs.Buccaneer Boats, for example, uses SeaDek components in several of its models.
Deck Materials
Many Kiwi boat builders provide various deck covers that increase beauty, comfort, and grip, wet or dry. EVA is utilized on gunwales, swim platforms, sidekicks, steps, cockpits, and foredecks.New-wave deck materials include natural wood (including teak and manmade wood composites), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and closed-cell foam (PE or EVA) (ethylene vinyl acetate).It has many of the same qualities as teak, but is less expensive and easier to install.
Final Verdict
They are prefabricated PVC decking is nearly chemical and solvent resistant, lighter and more durable than natural wood, and can be manufactured to look like real teak with a wood-grain finish.Closed-cell foam decking comes in a rainbow of hues. They can be pre-cut or supplied in sheet form with or without adhesive backing. They’re non-absorbent, comfortable on the feet, durable, and non-slip. A non-acid home cleanser such as Simple Green can be used to wash most.
