Choosing the best flooring material for your boat dictates the longevity and the aesthetic appeal of the vessel. The material must fit the lifestyle of the owner, similarly, the vessel's purpose. Whether for business or recreational, the wrong kind of flooring may be costly in the long run. It may incur expenses for boat maintenance and cleaning.
The top flooring boat manufacturers usually produce fiberglass, wood, and steel material bottom boats. The boat flooring protects the boat hull. The base and the flooring comprise a solid structure for walking, standing, and various boat activities. The kind of flooring must be able to withstand movement and outdoor conditions. Here is a guide to choosing the best type of boat flooring.
Wood
With proper care and regular maintenance, wood is a popular type of flooring because it lasts longer. It is the most common material manufactured by boat makers due to its low maintenance character. Several types of hardwood can be effective flooring because of its flexibility, durability, and water resistance. On the contrary, there are some disadvantages such as fading, slipperiness, and disintegration over time. Therefore, it is best practice to do refinishing and wood treatment applications.
Specialty Paints
In recent years, specialized water-resistant marine paints have commonly been used on boat floors. High-quality acrylic boat paints are also a boat carpet alternative. Painting a boat is relatively easy and can be a DIY activity. These specialty paints are low on volatile organic compounds (VOC), it is less toxic to apply, cost-efficient, and convenient to clean. However, paints require regular application as it is prone to fading. Peeling and cracking are also drawbacks due to sun exposure and harsh weather conditions.
Carpet
Carpet flooring is a textile-based floor attached to a backing material. Boat carpets are made of polyester, nylon, or wool material. Commonly used indoors, carpet flooring are easy to clean and lasts longer. In addition, it can withstand harsh environmental elements. The adage, you get what you pay for applies to boat carpets. With its flexibility, it can be expensive. But, overall, the investment can be worthwhile over time.
Linoleum
Vinyl planks are water-resistant and best fit as deck flooring. It can withstand prolonged wet conditions and is highly durable. In the event of a boat revamp, vinyl planks are also reusable and cost-efficient. In addition, the planks are plug-and-play, making them easy to clean.
Canvas
Marine fabric is one of the oldest flooring options in the boating universe. The material is water-resistant and durable.
It can withstand extreme weather conditions. Canvas enhances the aesthetic value of the boat because the material is color-fast; moreover, color options are limitless. Compared to other flooring, canvas prices are competitive. However, there are two significant drawbacks to canvas. First, although it is water-resistant, it is not waterproof. It requires fabric guard treatment every two years. Second, weather exposure stretches fabric over time that can result in water pooling.
With the advent of technological advancement, various boat flooring alternatives are not available for consumption. Factors to consider are cost, the integrity of the material, aesthetic look, and durability.
Photo: Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels
