Because you love your boat, you won’t be satisfied with anything less than the right flooring material. If you figured this out too late because you didn’t know any better, or only recently acquired a second-hand boat with less-than-stellar flooring, don’t worry, because we’ll now be discussing an excellent way to remedy boat flooring issues.
Addressing flooring problems means being aware of the boat floor replacement materials you have at your disposal. Choosing the right items means you can steer clear of problems like expensive cleaning sessions and constant repairs and replacements over the boat’s lifetime.
Choosing the Right Flooring Material for Your Boat
The bottom part of boat floors is usually made of either metal, wood, or fiberglass. On top of this is the actual flooring material composed of vinyl, tiling, or laminates. This section serves as a permanent or semi-permanent protective cover for the bottom layer. With these two layers in place, your vessel now has a solid and durable surface in which to stand, walk, and transport items on.
The Top Boat Flooring Replacement Materials
Below are some of the most popular boat floor replacement materials in the market. For more of an in-depth look at how these items are used in the boat construction process, feel free to visit Boat Diaries.
1. Wood
Since ancient times, wood has been the go-to material for many shipbuilders. It’s robust, durable, and relatively easy to maintain, making it an awesome choice for flooring, decking, and other boating projects you may have in mind. Furthermore, there are now ways to superbly maintain both this material’s functional and aesthetic aspects.
Among the different types of hardwood that make effective boat flooring are ash, cedar, pine, mahogany, and oak. These timbers possess all the important qualities that allow the boat to cope with harsh marine conditions. They’re strong, flexible, water-resistant, and durable.
If you plan on replacing your sub-par floor layers with wood, make sure you know the proper care measures. After all, some wood types can be expensive to maintain due to their need for periodic refinishing.
2. Vinyl or Linoleum
There’s only one instance when linoleum or vinyl flooring would be great for a boat, and that’s when it’s used in an air-conditioned enclosed space. In light of this, this type of flooring is great for cabins but not for decks and other areas exposed to the elements.
Of course, we’re living in an advanced age where materials can be customized to suit varying conditions. Neither vinyl or linoleum is an exception to this, with certain versions of the material being made specifically for the exposed sections of a sea vessel.
Vinyl wood planks fall into the “tough” category of these materials. They are highly resistant to water and can be used as flooring for areas that regularly deal with moisture. They also handle being walked on pretty well, which tells you that they’re made of some sturdy, high-quality stuff.
Replacement becomes less of an issue when you’re using vinyl planks. These types of flooring can be reinstalled and reused in the event of a full-on remodeling venture. You can even pull this flooring up and transfer it to another one of your boats if you so desire.
3. Canvas
Canvas is an excellent floor replacement option, too. Its simple weave offers water resistance and durability to your vessel and suits the extreme conditions of the ocean. The pigment is usually laid on its fibers prior to the extrusion process, making the material less prone to color fading while having improved color-fastness at the same time.
Despite its water-resistant quality, canvas also has good breathability. It allows raindrops to bounce off it while letting moisture from the cockpit make an exit through the top layer. It’s also soft and flexible enough to be a snug fit on floor contours.
4. Specialty Paints
Special marine paints are water-resistant and ideal for boat floors. There are affordable, less-toxic options in the market that can easily be cleaned with water.
Some high-quality specialty paints don’t only possess excellent water resistance but also have a relatively undetectable smell, which is always a plus. These paints can remain intact for several years regardless of the harsh sea conditions they are exposed to.
Furthermore, these products dry easily and are less toxic. Case in point: water-based acrylics, which outperform their oil-based counterparts in every aspect that matters. It’s important to look out for this fast-drying quality because it tends to lead to smoother finishes, with stuck-on dust and debris hardly being an issue.
Summary
If your boat flooring is no longer to your liking or is no longer serving its purpose, you can opt to replace it with some high-quality options. Some of these options include wood, canvas, vinyl or linoleum, and specialty paints, which all boast water-resistant qualities and excellent durability. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of any of these materials for a better-performing and longer-lasting boat floor.