best synthetic teak decking for boats

best synthetic teak decking for boats

Bleaches and chemical cleaners workat least to some extentbut tend to remove the oils that made teak the choice in the first place. Regarding longevity, well have a much clearer picture of which one is best in six months or so. Many manufacturers offer a range of colours, with the most popular being shades close to freshly-scrubbed teak, or silvered, weathered teak. The following table shows the overall weight of teak decking on a 13-meter sailboat. PlasDeck is less well known in the UK but has been established for 15 years, offering a range of PVC products in 28 shades that look and feel like wood. Rather than using a basic one-plank-wide section as a building block, Flexiteek offers multi-plank panelsan approach that has both advantages and disadvantages. SeaDek, which is made from a closed-cell PE/EVA foam is popular throughout the racing world, from sportsboats to the Americas Cup and the Ocean Race. removed everything with what is the most used method on each boat, ie water. You install it by gluing it down to a clean surface with a two-part adhesive. Then you send that to a local Flexiteek distributor, and you get back a preassembled mat thats ready to be glued down, complete with margin planks. Ocean Cork is one of many firms to offer eco-friendly teak alternatives. It shows exceptional grain strength and stiffness, along with excellent wear and durability characteristics. All three teak replacementsTek-Dek, Flexiteek, and MarineDeck 2000can provide a good-looking, stain-resistant, low-maintenance deck at a lower cost than natural teak. All are lighter than teak, which is a consideration if youre trying to keep above-the-waterline weight down. The cost of Flexiteek is roughly $40 to $42 per square foot, and the product comes with a five-year warranty. There are many companies producing this material today but only three are the most popular and the most widespread ones. The company now produces 80,000m2 of its decking product each year. VAT) per square metre: Synthetic teak: 200-300 In addition to thermometric measurements, we also tested the sensation of warmth transmitted by the materials, walking barefoot on the different teak panels. Well, there arent many alternatives we could suggest to supplant a classic yacht, but there are some viable alternatives to natural teak decking. Ranking: 1 Permateek pari merito Flexiteek e Plasdeck. Sanding can present further problems if the sandpaper picks up caulking material and deposits it in the teaks grain. Because synthetic teak decking measures just 5 mm (a bit over 3/16 thick), its flexible enough to conform to surfaces that arent flat. For surface damage, the decking can be sanded, as both the color and the grain extend through the entire thickness. Bricks, or containers filled with sand are sufficiently heavy to work well here. First of all, we decided to analyze the aesthetic appearance and therefore the element that makes both boat owners and their guests fall in love at first sight. In recent years, synthetic options have made it possible to enjoy the look, durability, and feel of natural teak decking without many of the problems. And while it will last for a long, long time without maintenance, it wont necessarily look good that long. A Flexiteek deck tends to be a bit more uniform in color than one assembled from Tek-Deks individual planks. The cost of Tek-Dek is $24-$25 per square foot, including adhesives for the bedding and tongue-and-groove joints. The company, which has been established for 10 years, sells matched repair kits for 10 and says a very long lifespan is expected. Light weight is a further advantage, but custom panels are not available. The use of synthetic teak in marine decking is quickly and successfully replacing that of the natural wood. Natural teak haslong been a material of choice for boatbuilding. The Permateek was the hottest and the contact with the sole of our foot confirmed that. We do have some fairly clear initial findings, though. We tested this aspect in a July sunny day (with external temperature of about 30 degrees) where we left the three teak panels exposed to the sun for some hours. Teak doesnt look good from a sustainability perspective either. (Natural teak decks are sometimes subjected to this kind of damage.) The 2G version, launched six years ago, is fully recyclable, while microballoons are used in place of chalk filler, which reduces heat absorption (certain PVC deck types and colours have been known to get very hot in direct sun). Prices for PVC products tend to range from 150 to 1,000 per square metre, varying according to the design and size of each panel. It looks and feels amazingly like natural teak, and has some distinct advantages over natural teak in terms of installation, cost, and maintenance. First published in the April 2020 edition of Yachting World. a simple cleaning carried out with the hands under the flowing water. any chance to add to the test a piece of real teak? The sections can be laid straight, or can take a slight bend if required to conform to a decks contours. However, Lignia decks are just as labour intensive to lay as real teak. I have found the 2G has a tendency to mold on the surface where the others do not. How We TestedWe started out by making a small (roughly 2 x 2) deck section with each of the three products, using a sheet of rigid fiberglass as a sub-deck. Our web portals are the main source of information for yachtand boatowners, the place where they can find anything about theirboating passion. VAT). Like Flexiteek, MarineDeck 2000 is advertised for express use on larger vessels where broad expanses of deck require replacement). Different products may need vastly different amounts of labour, which obviously affects cost, while detailing and edging is a major factor in the price of factory-made panels. In order to test grip, we decided to carry out a very simple test: to create an inclined plane where to put our teak samples with a sailing shoe containing a weight on it. The time-honored practice of sanding the teaks surface (holystoning) was a much more practical approach when decks were solid teak and crews had lots of time on their hands. Fungus inhibitors throughout the material hold back the formation of the green mould that can all too easily grows on real teak decks, especially during persistently damp winters. This time, no sample passed the test: all of them let themselves be pierced ( the Permateek with a little bit of difficulty). As part of this ongoing test, well put each panel out in the sun in an area where it will be subjected to weather, pedestrian traffic, and general wear and tear. From a sustainability perspective, a big drawback with PVCs is they are plastics and will therefore remain in the environment forever. The total cost for boats of similar sizes can therefore vary dramatically depending on the complexity of each of the panel shapes. If Permateek submitted a similar color to the others, the temperature difference is insignificant. We lust after a bright-finished classic wooden yachtone by Herreschoff, say, or Aldenbut yield to the practicalities and buy a fiberglass sloop. Indeed, Flexiteek is now produced fully at this factory with glowing success! Over time, if not exposed to pollutants, teak gradually ages to an attractive silver-gray color. This way, we had the opportunity to test and compare, in a very simple way, the features that most affect the choice of synthetic teak (all our staff was involved in the test and everyone was asked to express his own opinion). In our opinion, this test concludes with the following ranking: 1 Flexiteek 2 Plasdeck 3 Permateek. A natural deck can be washed, but power washing can easily erode the wood. Plasdeck, too, is biscuit-colored but its finishes are less processed, which makes it look a little flatter and less natural. not so much on the DIY market. Lignia, shown to great effect here on the decks of the Spirit 50CR, is a real softwood product treated to give it the appearance and longevity of teak. Flexiteek panels are available in either 1- 7/8 or 2-3/8 wide planks, and buyers can choose panels with either six or more planks, up to a maximum of 12. Of course, its a subjective yet important choice since, once chosen, the synthetic teak has the implicit characteristic of maintening the same appearance over years. Its naturally high oil content and tight grain make for exceptional longevity without the need for protective finishes. This option has historically offered some of the most convincing alternative teak products, with the grain, texture, impact resistance and non-slip properties of the real thing. The dozens of different teak cleaners on the market are testimony to the existence of the problem. The grooved back of Flexiteek is only good on paper! Especially if these boats are equipped with a flybridge: a lower weight on this means lower rolling for the yacht itself. Common advice is to look for a product with large cork grains as these cope better with impact. The three materials have a much different side B. Flexiteek is highly processed and shows a series of grooves (another patent of the company) that facilitate gluing without bubbles and slipping effects. Ropes and sailbags dragged on the foredeck could leave marks, As a certified synthetic teak installer that has installed all three products and watched them weather over several years, Permateek looks newer longer. In any case the material is inherently resilient and is significantly better than teak at resisting wear and abrasion. As my Company handles the Importing for the Americas, lets remember that DRB chose not to go with an existing factory that had worked well for the last three years, and continues to increase the quality control levels in order to maintain the #1 status. As a result, the only way to be absolutely certain a source of teak is sustainable is to use salvaged material (or to ensure that the teak can be GPS-traced back to stump). Its a natural product harvested from FSC certified forests, largely in Portugal. Belvoir Media Group, LLC. One considerable advantage of laying a synthetic deck as compared to a natural wood deck is that you dont have to drill any holes for screws, thus you dont compromise the structural integrity of the underlying deck. The synthetic teak decking systems weve seentwo PVC-based and one cork-basedare, once installed, quite similar in appearance and texture. Ocean Cork is available in 8mm and 4mm thickness. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All surfaces are sanded when manufactured. When installed over aggressive non-skid, the grooved back may allow for water penetration. The maximum inclination reached by the shoe without slipping was very similar for all materials. We tried many times and we reached a 36-degree inclination: an excellent goal, beyond which no material produced enough friction for the shoe to remain glued to the surface. Tye Conway of UK-based decking specialist Elite-Teak says that typical installed prices in the UK are often lower than elsewhere in northern Europe, with many jobs falling into the following price ranges (ex. And, to reassure us that our measurements were meaningful, one of our testers stood on each deck and made subjective evaluations of how slippery each was. The Flexiteek approach is clearly best suited for applications where straight, parallel planking is required. DRB Marine I also like the technical side of Esthec, he adds. This suggests that the material composition (Flexiteek G2 patent) ensures greater heat dispersion. Gisatex sits at the lower end of the PVC price bracket. They have now been acquired by Flexiteek, which is a compliment on the standard of quality manufacturing performed at their U.K. location. We tried many times and we reached a 36-degree inclination: an excellent goal, beyond which no material produced enough friction for the shoe to remain glued to the surface. Laying down several planks at a time is certainly faster and easier than dealing with individual planks, but these panels dont bend as easily as the narrower sections. Though different brands of synthetic teak decking may look quite similar, there are some major differences in design and installation. And teak decks get hot enough in bright sunlight to be distinctly uncomfortable to bare feet and skin.Decks in the old days tended to be fashioned from solid teak planks an inch or more thick, but a modern teak deck typically measures from a quarter inch down to a something in the veneer range, and is ordinarily laid on top of a structural fiberglass deck. To offset this Flexiteek plants one tree for every 10m2 of product sold. Your email address will not be published. Your test only showed the appearance and The company holds patents for non-migratory plasticisers that are bound to the molecular structure. The veins in relief, reproduced during the processing phase, are instead very marked and visible throughout the panel. As a result many of the new yachts seen at boat shows actually have simulated teak decks made of PVC. Ranking: 1 Flexiteek 2 Permateek 3 Plasdeck. Ditch the teak Teak is no longer universally popular. These sections feature tongue-and-groove joints, with molded-in caulking strips. Theres also a good deal of caulking to doeach joint where planks meet must be caulked to keep water from getting under the decking and lifting it. Given the high cost of replacement this can have a significant impact on a yachts resale value. It has shown up in such diverse applications as inflatable boats, phonograph records, shower curtains, computer cases, pipes, and house siding. 2021 - THE INTERNATIONAL YACHTING MEDIA Designed by BLive Communication. Sean Roebuck of ProCast, SeaDeks leading UK fabricator, says prices including VAT generally work out in the range of 114-151/m2. Comparative test for the three leaders of synthetic teak decking. All the materials passed our crash tests (we dropped anything on our samples, even very heavy items) and no damage was registered. Mailport: X-yachts, Soverel 33, tropical storms, Designing a Dump Line for the Multihull Mainsheet, Test Driving Furunos Cutting Edge Compass, Green Boating From a Practical Perspective, PS Advisor: Belaying Safety for Mast Climbing. Also, who are the US manufacturers of faux teak decking? Unlike Tek-Dek and PlasDECK, which assemble mats by cementing tongue-and-groove joints together, Flexiteek uses heat to weld the thermoplastic sections togethera system not suited to DIY assembly. This step resulted in a further confirmation and a surprise. There are varying ways to clean a teak deck. A fender, however, does only one job-cushion the blow between the hull and something hard-and then it swallows up valuable lazarette or anchor locker space when that one job is not required. Moreover, the sensation of warmth remained on the foot for some minutes, which confirmed the excellent warmth retention capacity of the material. ConclusionsIts a bit premature for us to make any firm recommendations at this pointwell know a lot more after our extended exposure tests are completed. Photo: Ainhoa Sanchez/VOR. A company representative says that untreated MarineDeck 2000 will tend to darken and gray, within a few months in the sun, much like regular teak will, but then a few months later it seems to come back to a natural teak color. Despite their slightly textured surface, which replicates the grain of real wood, dirt and stains stay on the surface of PVC decking, so it can be cleaned relatively easily with a wet cloth and maybe soapy water. As a guide, in the UK Permateek costs 150-350/m2 depending on the complexity of the design. And again when fabricated. Saffiers SE37 daysailer is fitted with PVC decks from Esthec. The latter, we thought, looked more like natural teak due to that variation. Also With This ArticleValue Guide: Synthetic Teak, Contacts Flexiteek Americas, Inc., 954/973-4335, www.flexiteekusa.com PlasTEAK, 800/320-1841, www.plasteak.com Tek-Dek International, 604/880-3737, www.tek-dek-international.com MarineDeck 2000 (STAZO Marine Equipment), 207/354-0914, www.stazo.nl, www.marquipt.com. The International Yachting Mediais the worlds most widely readboating magazines network. We therefore decided to compare the best of the current production in a no-holds-barred test. Its colour is light biscuit. Weve tried to give indicative prices for different options, but these are exceptionally difficult to pin down. Pressure washing is feasible. Permateek has a micro-perforated bottom while Plasdeck is the smoothest one. As a result van der Staay quotes a 40-year expected lifespan. On these yachts, the main difference lies in comfort and not in performance. All three have non-skid properties comparable to teak, both wet and dry. Dutch yard Saffier has been fitting Esthec to its range of daysailers since 2008. All are 74 long, and vary in width and thickness. Marinedeck claims that its decking is popular among younger boaters. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This gives Lignia performance and durability that can surpass tropical hardwoods. Margin boards come with either a radiused edge or a square one. The company has been in operation since 1986 and says there are still decks in good condition from its early days. Given its one of the lightest decking materials available, at only 2.4kg/m2, for cruisers the thinner option appears to offer little benefit. We went out of our way to stain them, using gasoline, dirty oil, antifreeze, coffee, and whiskey. Rounded edge pieces, or margin boards make for a neat installation, and if a complete deck is desired (rather than, say, a hatch cover), a wider central king plank can be obtained. Firstly it doesnt last forever, especially if a modern, and likely relatively thin, teak deck is scrubbed regularly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! And the installation is much easier than with real wood because synthetic decking can be cut easily with a sharp utility knife, and most of the caulking required for teak decking is eliminated. Soot, air and water pollutants, and spills can stainand discolor the deck in short order. Gisatex offers a more economic PVC product, at 69 per square metre, but in a thinner textured, non-slip material that makes no attempt to match the grain of teak. Synthetic teak decking requires little maintenanceoccasional washing keeps it in good shape. THEINTERNATIONALYACHTINGMEDIA.COM| SUPERYACHTS.NEWS | YACHT DIGEST, VIRTUAL BOAT SHOW |TUTTTOBARCHE |TOUSLESBATEAUX |TODOSLOSBARCOS. Don Permateek is another popular brand name and has recently introduced new shades that better mimic the grain of real teak. The product is therefore very UV resistant and remains elastic as the oils dont evaporate over time. We drool at the sight of beautiful honey-colored teak decking, but settle for molded-in, low-maintenance fiberglass nonskid surfacing. Rather than having you piece the deck assembly yourself, the company asks that you make a paper pattern of the shapes you want. Also, quite important, particularly on racing boats, the abrasion test. However, teak also has drawbacks. For applications where wide sections of straight planking are required, Tek-Dek also supplies a wider, 4-plank section. A coated deck will resist staining better, and be easier to clean, but wont provide as much traction. My main problem with boat fenders is that they appear to violate the cardinal rule of cruising: any object you bring aboard should serve at least two purposes (the way your crewmate's favorite yellow shirt makes a great Q flag). 1. Things changed when we tried to pierce the panels with our scissors and screwdrivers in order to simulate the most common deck accidents. Now, its time consider another important aspect, that is the temperature that synthetic teak reaches when it is exposed to the sun. Marinedeck 2000 consists of cork granules with a synthetic polyurethane binder. In Yachting World August 2022 issue we talk to one of the biggest names on the offshore racing scene, Kevin Escoffier and take a look around his brand new foiling, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, 4 eco-friendly improvements to upgrade your yacht, How hybrid sailing yachts finally became a feasible option, Behind the scenes film goes inside British Olympic sailing squad, WATCH: Loic Escoffier rescued after capsizing 70 miles south of Fastnet Rock, Amazon Prime Day boating deals: How to save big on sailing kit this summer, Crew rescued from upturned hull of new Farr X2 after keel loss, J-Class yachts kick off Superyacht Cup Palma in style, 2020 Vende Globe preview: Pip Hare and Paul Larsens guide to the fleet, Spirit 111: This sailing art gallery is one of the most sensational yachts ever built, Video: See inside 9 of the most amazing modern sailing superyachts, Lagoon 46 first look: Updating this catamaran is a significant step for the yard, Excess 15 first look: This vibrant catamaran can sail in the lightest of winds, Dragonfly 40 yacht tour: This cruising trimaran can do 24 knots. One of the major claims made for these synthetic teak decks is stain resistance. Rupert Holmes explains whats wrong with the marine industrys obsession with hardwood and looks at real world teak alternatives. If you use a king plank, youll have to custom cut the sections where they meet the plank. So, we contacted the three companies and asked for some samples. Sign up to receive the best of Yachting News, sea trials, boat review and world premieres . The veins in relief, reproduced during the processing phase, are instead very marked and visible throughout the panel. The material also easily absorbs heat from the sun, making it uncomfortable to walk on in bare feet when in the tropics or Mediterranean summer. Flexiteek decking on the SW105 Kiboko III. only request we made was that the synthetic teak to be sent to us was their best product and the one most similar to natural teak. We followed (and evaluated) instructions, and (if we thought they were required) we used manufacturers technical support. Sailing, it seems, involves a constant struggle between heart and brain, with a similar dynamic ocurring between time and money. Teak alternatives have been available for many years and are gaining wide acceptance. Teak is now considered a high risk timber, confirms Nigel Stuart, MD of Spirit Yachts. Rankings speak for themselves and, even if individual differences are not big, Flexiteek is undoubtedly the absolute winner. contamination caused by the overthrow of some of the most common staining products, those that pass on the deck day by day: coffee, wine, vinegar and sunscreen. Lets take into consideration a sailboat, especially a performing one. USA. The Permateek Classic, instead, is very different from the others since its darker colour makes it more similar to aged or oil-processed wood. We dropped heavy objects onto each decka plumb bob, from a height of six feet, to be specificin order to evaluate dent resistance. And it provides an excellent natural non-skid surface. We tried this with both a wet and dry surface. we tested is, in alphabetical order, the Flexiteek, the Permateek and the Plasdeck. In many cases they also offer multiple advantages over real teak, including better longevity. Thank you! Hi. Teak decks, while providing excellent skid resistance when dry, arent quite as good when wet. The upcoming Spirit 44E will be fitted with teak-effect solar panels. Unlike real teak, which has a mix of hard and very soft fibres, PVC decks can also be pressure-washed. Both left-hand and right-hand margin strips are available (one with a tongue termination and the other with a groove), as are king strips. We allowed each mess to remain on the surface 24 hours, judged how bad it looked and then tried to remove it by scrubbing with a mild detergent and a soft brush. This compares to a material cost of around 285/m2 for 6mm teak but dont forget theres far more labour involved in laying a real teak deck. Modern teak decking is thin enough so that frequent sanding just isnt feasible, although occasional sanding can be called for if the surface is severely stained or scarred. When the sections are joined, the resulting deck appears to consist of 1-7/8 planks separated by 3/16 wide black caulking strips. The texture can be anything from smooth to hairy. Teak is classified as a heavy hardwood with a density of approx 930kg/m3. It is 6-8mm thick and is available with a strong 3M self-adhesive backing to minimise labour costs when fitting. The main goal of our test was to see the real reaction of the three materials to the contamination caused by the overthrow of some of the most common staining products, those that pass on the deck day by day: coffee, wine, vinegar and sunscreen. You then fill in the remaining deck area with the tongue-and groove sections. DRB Marine used to dabble in Flexiteek before switching over to Dek-King, which had excellent feedback all over the US and beyond. Over a three to five year period it will slowly take a light grey hue, but this can be sanded back to reveal the original colour. And it looks great. This is maybe inevitable with a plastic material that, after all, is not so different from natural wood that, unlike synthetic teak, cannot be repaired if not with a long work. On larger jobs, the manufacturer recommends assembling the mats in sections, as the limited working time of the epoxy restricts you to about 20 square feet at a time. Permateek is made of harder and rougher plastic, Flexiteek is softer while Plasdeck is somewhere in between. To lay out a deck, you first cut and fit the margins (and the king plank if youre using one), allowing a gap for caulking at each joint. We evaluated non-skid properties by placing a weighted foot on the deck, and then tilting the deck until the shoe skidded. We repeated this after chilling the deck down to below-freezing temperatures, to see if embrittlement occurred; we tried it again at 150 F or so, a temperature that a deck can reach under the tropical sun. The result is the same for all the three products: stains were removed with a simple cleaning carried out with the hands under the flowing water. SeaDek is popular with ocean racers. Solbian is also developing a version of the teak-effect panel with a non-slip finish. On the downside these materials are susceptible to damage from impact or pets claws. Italian solar panel manufacturer Solbian has a range of panels with a pigmented layer that creates different colour schemes. A UV inhibitor in the coating would obviously be of benefit, but coating the deck would bring you back into the endless cycle of periodic refinishingwhich teak decking is supposed to eliminate. It also has the benefit in being faster to dry than teak, which is handy in areas used for seating. One of the best-known brand names, Flexiteek, is celebrating its 20th anniversary and is expanding rapidly, with demand consistently growing at 20% annually. Esthec is a part of composite floor specialist Bolidt, which makes flooring in any shape for industrial applications through to decking for ships. Custom panels cost around 250/m2 (ex. Esthec, meanwhile is formed from natural components, without the harmful ingredients commonly found in PVCs. Foam decking: 150-200 Were anticipating an opportunity to work out some of our aggressions, as well as the chance to study what looks like an interesting and useful group of products. Yes, its true, the Permateek is also the darkest one but, at the end of the day and even after having remained in the shadow for more than one hour, it was still the hottest one (36.8), which suggests a longer heat retaining effect. This can damage the gel coat and allow moisture to enter the coring. Made by Stazo Marine Equipment in the Netherlands (the U.S. representatives operate out of the Stazo office in Thomaston, ME, and Marquipt in Pompano Beach, FL. This is also true for motorboats that, as you know, have wider decks and therefore need more square meters of synthetic teak. MarineDeck 2000 costs $28 to $29 per square foot (exterior grade), which includes adhesives and all other materials, and comes with a five-year warranty. Material costs are a little less than for teak, with typical savings around 5-20%. The former can look amazing at boat shows, though in the real world it can maybe look incongruous to those who understand the damage regular scrubbing does to real teak. Still, Flexiteek seems to us best suited for professional installation, or at least for installation by someone familiar with pattern-making, who has experience in fitting large surfaces, and perhaps a handy friend or two when it comes time to lay sections in place and secure them. Colour shades can also be matched to products of companies such as Flexiteek. remains lower, which contributes to reduce heeling when sailing while improving performance. Another difference between the three products concerns the width of slats and seams. Prices start at 349 (inc. VAT) for 1m2 DIY kit (including glue and caulking) and approx 400/m2 (inc. VAT) for larger custom made panels.

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best synthetic teak decking for boats

best synthetic teak decking for boatsbanana boat sensitive mineral spray

Bleaches and chemical cleaners workat least to some extentbut tend to remove the oils that made teak the choice in the first place. Regarding longevity, well have a much clearer picture of which one is best in six months or so. Many manufacturers offer a range of colours, with the most popular being shades close to freshly-scrubbed teak, or silvered, weathered teak. The following table shows the overall weight of teak decking on a 13-meter sailboat. PlasDeck is less well known in the UK but has been established for 15 years, offering a range of PVC products in 28 shades that look and feel like wood. Rather than using a basic one-plank-wide section as a building block, Flexiteek offers multi-plank panelsan approach that has both advantages and disadvantages. SeaDek, which is made from a closed-cell PE/EVA foam is popular throughout the racing world, from sportsboats to the Americas Cup and the Ocean Race. removed everything with what is the most used method on each boat, ie water. You install it by gluing it down to a clean surface with a two-part adhesive. Then you send that to a local Flexiteek distributor, and you get back a preassembled mat thats ready to be glued down, complete with margin planks. Ocean Cork is one of many firms to offer eco-friendly teak alternatives. It shows exceptional grain strength and stiffness, along with excellent wear and durability characteristics. All three teak replacementsTek-Dek, Flexiteek, and MarineDeck 2000can provide a good-looking, stain-resistant, low-maintenance deck at a lower cost than natural teak. All are lighter than teak, which is a consideration if youre trying to keep above-the-waterline weight down. The cost of Flexiteek is roughly $40 to $42 per square foot, and the product comes with a five-year warranty. There are many companies producing this material today but only three are the most popular and the most widespread ones. The company now produces 80,000m2 of its decking product each year. VAT) per square metre: Synthetic teak: 200-300 In addition to thermometric measurements, we also tested the sensation of warmth transmitted by the materials, walking barefoot on the different teak panels. Well, there arent many alternatives we could suggest to supplant a classic yacht, but there are some viable alternatives to natural teak decking. Ranking: 1 Permateek pari merito Flexiteek e Plasdeck. Sanding can present further problems if the sandpaper picks up caulking material and deposits it in the teaks grain. Because synthetic teak decking measures just 5 mm (a bit over 3/16 thick), its flexible enough to conform to surfaces that arent flat. For surface damage, the decking can be sanded, as both the color and the grain extend through the entire thickness. Bricks, or containers filled with sand are sufficiently heavy to work well here. First of all, we decided to analyze the aesthetic appearance and therefore the element that makes both boat owners and their guests fall in love at first sight. In recent years, synthetic options have made it possible to enjoy the look, durability, and feel of natural teak decking without many of the problems. And while it will last for a long, long time without maintenance, it wont necessarily look good that long. A Flexiteek deck tends to be a bit more uniform in color than one assembled from Tek-Deks individual planks. The cost of Tek-Dek is $24-$25 per square foot, including adhesives for the bedding and tongue-and-groove joints. The company, which has been established for 10 years, sells matched repair kits for 10 and says a very long lifespan is expected. Light weight is a further advantage, but custom panels are not available. The use of synthetic teak in marine decking is quickly and successfully replacing that of the natural wood. Natural teak haslong been a material of choice for boatbuilding. The Permateek was the hottest and the contact with the sole of our foot confirmed that. We do have some fairly clear initial findings, though. We tested this aspect in a July sunny day (with external temperature of about 30 degrees) where we left the three teak panels exposed to the sun for some hours. Teak doesnt look good from a sustainability perspective either. (Natural teak decks are sometimes subjected to this kind of damage.) The 2G version, launched six years ago, is fully recyclable, while microballoons are used in place of chalk filler, which reduces heat absorption (certain PVC deck types and colours have been known to get very hot in direct sun). Prices for PVC products tend to range from 150 to 1,000 per square metre, varying according to the design and size of each panel. It looks and feels amazingly like natural teak, and has some distinct advantages over natural teak in terms of installation, cost, and maintenance. First published in the April 2020 edition of Yachting World. a simple cleaning carried out with the hands under the flowing water. any chance to add to the test a piece of real teak? The sections can be laid straight, or can take a slight bend if required to conform to a decks contours. However, Lignia decks are just as labour intensive to lay as real teak. I have found the 2G has a tendency to mold on the surface where the others do not. How We TestedWe started out by making a small (roughly 2 x 2) deck section with each of the three products, using a sheet of rigid fiberglass as a sub-deck. Our web portals are the main source of information for yachtand boatowners, the place where they can find anything about theirboating passion. VAT). Like Flexiteek, MarineDeck 2000 is advertised for express use on larger vessels where broad expanses of deck require replacement). Different products may need vastly different amounts of labour, which obviously affects cost, while detailing and edging is a major factor in the price of factory-made panels. In order to test grip, we decided to carry out a very simple test: to create an inclined plane where to put our teak samples with a sailing shoe containing a weight on it. The time-honored practice of sanding the teaks surface (holystoning) was a much more practical approach when decks were solid teak and crews had lots of time on their hands. Fungus inhibitors throughout the material hold back the formation of the green mould that can all too easily grows on real teak decks, especially during persistently damp winters. This time, no sample passed the test: all of them let themselves be pierced ( the Permateek with a little bit of difficulty). As part of this ongoing test, well put each panel out in the sun in an area where it will be subjected to weather, pedestrian traffic, and general wear and tear. From a sustainability perspective, a big drawback with PVCs is they are plastics and will therefore remain in the environment forever. The total cost for boats of similar sizes can therefore vary dramatically depending on the complexity of each of the panel shapes. If Permateek submitted a similar color to the others, the temperature difference is insignificant. We lust after a bright-finished classic wooden yachtone by Herreschoff, say, or Aldenbut yield to the practicalities and buy a fiberglass sloop. Indeed, Flexiteek is now produced fully at this factory with glowing success! Over time, if not exposed to pollutants, teak gradually ages to an attractive silver-gray color. This way, we had the opportunity to test and compare, in a very simple way, the features that most affect the choice of synthetic teak (all our staff was involved in the test and everyone was asked to express his own opinion). In our opinion, this test concludes with the following ranking: 1 Flexiteek 2 Plasdeck 3 Permateek. A natural deck can be washed, but power washing can easily erode the wood. Plasdeck, too, is biscuit-colored but its finishes are less processed, which makes it look a little flatter and less natural. not so much on the DIY market. Lignia, shown to great effect here on the decks of the Spirit 50CR, is a real softwood product treated to give it the appearance and longevity of teak. Flexiteek panels are available in either 1- 7/8 or 2-3/8 wide planks, and buyers can choose panels with either six or more planks, up to a maximum of 12. Of course, its a subjective yet important choice since, once chosen, the synthetic teak has the implicit characteristic of maintening the same appearance over years. Its naturally high oil content and tight grain make for exceptional longevity without the need for protective finishes. This option has historically offered some of the most convincing alternative teak products, with the grain, texture, impact resistance and non-slip properties of the real thing. The dozens of different teak cleaners on the market are testimony to the existence of the problem. The grooved back of Flexiteek is only good on paper! Especially if these boats are equipped with a flybridge: a lower weight on this means lower rolling for the yacht itself. Common advice is to look for a product with large cork grains as these cope better with impact. The three materials have a much different side B. Flexiteek is highly processed and shows a series of grooves (another patent of the company) that facilitate gluing without bubbles and slipping effects. Ropes and sailbags dragged on the foredeck could leave marks, As a certified synthetic teak installer that has installed all three products and watched them weather over several years, Permateek looks newer longer. In any case the material is inherently resilient and is significantly better than teak at resisting wear and abrasion. As my Company handles the Importing for the Americas, lets remember that DRB chose not to go with an existing factory that had worked well for the last three years, and continues to increase the quality control levels in order to maintain the #1 status. As a result, the only way to be absolutely certain a source of teak is sustainable is to use salvaged material (or to ensure that the teak can be GPS-traced back to stump). Its a natural product harvested from FSC certified forests, largely in Portugal. Belvoir Media Group, LLC. One considerable advantage of laying a synthetic deck as compared to a natural wood deck is that you dont have to drill any holes for screws, thus you dont compromise the structural integrity of the underlying deck. The synthetic teak decking systems weve seentwo PVC-based and one cork-basedare, once installed, quite similar in appearance and texture. Ocean Cork is available in 8mm and 4mm thickness. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All surfaces are sanded when manufactured. When installed over aggressive non-skid, the grooved back may allow for water penetration. The maximum inclination reached by the shoe without slipping was very similar for all materials. We tried many times and we reached a 36-degree inclination: an excellent goal, beyond which no material produced enough friction for the shoe to remain glued to the surface. Tye Conway of UK-based decking specialist Elite-Teak says that typical installed prices in the UK are often lower than elsewhere in northern Europe, with many jobs falling into the following price ranges (ex. And, to reassure us that our measurements were meaningful, one of our testers stood on each deck and made subjective evaluations of how slippery each was. The Flexiteek approach is clearly best suited for applications where straight, parallel planking is required. DRB Marine I also like the technical side of Esthec, he adds. This suggests that the material composition (Flexiteek G2 patent) ensures greater heat dispersion. Gisatex sits at the lower end of the PVC price bracket. They have now been acquired by Flexiteek, which is a compliment on the standard of quality manufacturing performed at their U.K. location. We tried many times and we reached a 36-degree inclination: an excellent goal, beyond which no material produced enough friction for the shoe to remain glued to the surface. Laying down several planks at a time is certainly faster and easier than dealing with individual planks, but these panels dont bend as easily as the narrower sections. Though different brands of synthetic teak decking may look quite similar, there are some major differences in design and installation. And teak decks get hot enough in bright sunlight to be distinctly uncomfortable to bare feet and skin.Decks in the old days tended to be fashioned from solid teak planks an inch or more thick, but a modern teak deck typically measures from a quarter inch down to a something in the veneer range, and is ordinarily laid on top of a structural fiberglass deck. To offset this Flexiteek plants one tree for every 10m2 of product sold. Your email address will not be published. Your test only showed the appearance and The company holds patents for non-migratory plasticisers that are bound to the molecular structure. The veins in relief, reproduced during the processing phase, are instead very marked and visible throughout the panel. As a result many of the new yachts seen at boat shows actually have simulated teak decks made of PVC. Ranking: 1 Flexiteek 2 Permateek 3 Plasdeck. Ditch the teak Teak is no longer universally popular. These sections feature tongue-and-groove joints, with molded-in caulking strips. Theres also a good deal of caulking to doeach joint where planks meet must be caulked to keep water from getting under the decking and lifting it. Given the high cost of replacement this can have a significant impact on a yachts resale value. It has shown up in such diverse applications as inflatable boats, phonograph records, shower curtains, computer cases, pipes, and house siding. 2021 - THE INTERNATIONAL YACHTING MEDIA Designed by BLive Communication. Sean Roebuck of ProCast, SeaDeks leading UK fabricator, says prices including VAT generally work out in the range of 114-151/m2. Comparative test for the three leaders of synthetic teak decking. All the materials passed our crash tests (we dropped anything on our samples, even very heavy items) and no damage was registered. Mailport: X-yachts, Soverel 33, tropical storms, Designing a Dump Line for the Multihull Mainsheet, Test Driving Furunos Cutting Edge Compass, Green Boating From a Practical Perspective, PS Advisor: Belaying Safety for Mast Climbing. Also, who are the US manufacturers of faux teak decking? Unlike Tek-Dek and PlasDECK, which assemble mats by cementing tongue-and-groove joints together, Flexiteek uses heat to weld the thermoplastic sections togethera system not suited to DIY assembly. This step resulted in a further confirmation and a surprise. There are varying ways to clean a teak deck. A fender, however, does only one job-cushion the blow between the hull and something hard-and then it swallows up valuable lazarette or anchor locker space when that one job is not required. Moreover, the sensation of warmth remained on the foot for some minutes, which confirmed the excellent warmth retention capacity of the material. ConclusionsIts a bit premature for us to make any firm recommendations at this pointwell know a lot more after our extended exposure tests are completed. Photo: Ainhoa Sanchez/VOR. A company representative says that untreated MarineDeck 2000 will tend to darken and gray, within a few months in the sun, much like regular teak will, but then a few months later it seems to come back to a natural teak color. Despite their slightly textured surface, which replicates the grain of real wood, dirt and stains stay on the surface of PVC decking, so it can be cleaned relatively easily with a wet cloth and maybe soapy water. As a guide, in the UK Permateek costs 150-350/m2 depending on the complexity of the design. And again when fabricated. Saffiers SE37 daysailer is fitted with PVC decks from Esthec. The latter, we thought, looked more like natural teak due to that variation. Also With This ArticleValue Guide: Synthetic Teak, Contacts Flexiteek Americas, Inc., 954/973-4335, www.flexiteekusa.com PlasTEAK, 800/320-1841, www.plasteak.com Tek-Dek International, 604/880-3737, www.tek-dek-international.com MarineDeck 2000 (STAZO Marine Equipment), 207/354-0914, www.stazo.nl, www.marquipt.com. The International Yachting Mediais the worlds most widely readboating magazines network. We therefore decided to compare the best of the current production in a no-holds-barred test. Its colour is light biscuit. Weve tried to give indicative prices for different options, but these are exceptionally difficult to pin down. Pressure washing is feasible. Permateek has a micro-perforated bottom while Plasdeck is the smoothest one. As a result van der Staay quotes a 40-year expected lifespan. On these yachts, the main difference lies in comfort and not in performance. All three have non-skid properties comparable to teak, both wet and dry. Dutch yard Saffier has been fitting Esthec to its range of daysailers since 2008. All are 74 long, and vary in width and thickness. Marinedeck claims that its decking is popular among younger boaters. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This gives Lignia performance and durability that can surpass tropical hardwoods. Margin boards come with either a radiused edge or a square one. The company has been in operation since 1986 and says there are still decks in good condition from its early days. Given its one of the lightest decking materials available, at only 2.4kg/m2, for cruisers the thinner option appears to offer little benefit. We went out of our way to stain them, using gasoline, dirty oil, antifreeze, coffee, and whiskey. Rounded edge pieces, or margin boards make for a neat installation, and if a complete deck is desired (rather than, say, a hatch cover), a wider central king plank can be obtained. Firstly it doesnt last forever, especially if a modern, and likely relatively thin, teak deck is scrubbed regularly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! And the installation is much easier than with real wood because synthetic decking can be cut easily with a sharp utility knife, and most of the caulking required for teak decking is eliminated. Soot, air and water pollutants, and spills can stainand discolor the deck in short order. Gisatex offers a more economic PVC product, at 69 per square metre, but in a thinner textured, non-slip material that makes no attempt to match the grain of teak. Synthetic teak decking requires little maintenanceoccasional washing keeps it in good shape. THEINTERNATIONALYACHTINGMEDIA.COM| SUPERYACHTS.NEWS | YACHT DIGEST, VIRTUAL BOAT SHOW |TUTTTOBARCHE |TOUSLESBATEAUX |TODOSLOSBARCOS. Don Permateek is another popular brand name and has recently introduced new shades that better mimic the grain of real teak. The product is therefore very UV resistant and remains elastic as the oils dont evaporate over time. We drool at the sight of beautiful honey-colored teak decking, but settle for molded-in, low-maintenance fiberglass nonskid surfacing. Rather than having you piece the deck assembly yourself, the company asks that you make a paper pattern of the shapes you want. Also, quite important, particularly on racing boats, the abrasion test. However, teak also has drawbacks. For applications where wide sections of straight planking are required, Tek-Dek also supplies a wider, 4-plank section. A coated deck will resist staining better, and be easier to clean, but wont provide as much traction. My main problem with boat fenders is that they appear to violate the cardinal rule of cruising: any object you bring aboard should serve at least two purposes (the way your crewmate's favorite yellow shirt makes a great Q flag). 1. Things changed when we tried to pierce the panels with our scissors and screwdrivers in order to simulate the most common deck accidents. Now, its time consider another important aspect, that is the temperature that synthetic teak reaches when it is exposed to the sun. Marinedeck 2000 consists of cork granules with a synthetic polyurethane binder. In Yachting World August 2022 issue we talk to one of the biggest names on the offshore racing scene, Kevin Escoffier and take a look around his brand new foiling, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, 4 eco-friendly improvements to upgrade your yacht, How hybrid sailing yachts finally became a feasible option, Behind the scenes film goes inside British Olympic sailing squad, WATCH: Loic Escoffier rescued after capsizing 70 miles south of Fastnet Rock, Amazon Prime Day boating deals: How to save big on sailing kit this summer, Crew rescued from upturned hull of new Farr X2 after keel loss, J-Class yachts kick off Superyacht Cup Palma in style, 2020 Vende Globe preview: Pip Hare and Paul Larsens guide to the fleet, Spirit 111: This sailing art gallery is one of the most sensational yachts ever built, Video: See inside 9 of the most amazing modern sailing superyachts, Lagoon 46 first look: Updating this catamaran is a significant step for the yard, Excess 15 first look: This vibrant catamaran can sail in the lightest of winds, Dragonfly 40 yacht tour: This cruising trimaran can do 24 knots. One of the major claims made for these synthetic teak decks is stain resistance. Rupert Holmes explains whats wrong with the marine industrys obsession with hardwood and looks at real world teak alternatives. If you use a king plank, youll have to custom cut the sections where they meet the plank. So, we contacted the three companies and asked for some samples. Sign up to receive the best of Yachting News, sea trials, boat review and world premieres . The veins in relief, reproduced during the processing phase, are instead very marked and visible throughout the panel. The material also easily absorbs heat from the sun, making it uncomfortable to walk on in bare feet when in the tropics or Mediterranean summer. Flexiteek decking on the SW105 Kiboko III. only request we made was that the synthetic teak to be sent to us was their best product and the one most similar to natural teak. We followed (and evaluated) instructions, and (if we thought they were required) we used manufacturers technical support. Sailing, it seems, involves a constant struggle between heart and brain, with a similar dynamic ocurring between time and money. Teak alternatives have been available for many years and are gaining wide acceptance. Teak is now considered a high risk timber, confirms Nigel Stuart, MD of Spirit Yachts. Rankings speak for themselves and, even if individual differences are not big, Flexiteek is undoubtedly the absolute winner. contamination caused by the overthrow of some of the most common staining products, those that pass on the deck day by day: coffee, wine, vinegar and sunscreen. Lets take into consideration a sailboat, especially a performing one. USA. The Permateek Classic, instead, is very different from the others since its darker colour makes it more similar to aged or oil-processed wood. We dropped heavy objects onto each decka plumb bob, from a height of six feet, to be specificin order to evaluate dent resistance. And it provides an excellent natural non-skid surface. We tried this with both a wet and dry surface. we tested is, in alphabetical order, the Flexiteek, the Permateek and the Plasdeck. In many cases they also offer multiple advantages over real teak, including better longevity. Thank you! Hi. Teak decks, while providing excellent skid resistance when dry, arent quite as good when wet. The upcoming Spirit 44E will be fitted with teak-effect solar panels. Unlike real teak, which has a mix of hard and very soft fibres, PVC decks can also be pressure-washed. Both left-hand and right-hand margin strips are available (one with a tongue termination and the other with a groove), as are king strips. We allowed each mess to remain on the surface 24 hours, judged how bad it looked and then tried to remove it by scrubbing with a mild detergent and a soft brush. This compares to a material cost of around 285/m2 for 6mm teak but dont forget theres far more labour involved in laying a real teak deck. Modern teak decking is thin enough so that frequent sanding just isnt feasible, although occasional sanding can be called for if the surface is severely stained or scarred. When the sections are joined, the resulting deck appears to consist of 1-7/8 planks separated by 3/16 wide black caulking strips. The texture can be anything from smooth to hairy. Teak is classified as a heavy hardwood with a density of approx 930kg/m3. It is 6-8mm thick and is available with a strong 3M self-adhesive backing to minimise labour costs when fitting. The main goal of our test was to see the real reaction of the three materials to the contamination caused by the overthrow of some of the most common staining products, those that pass on the deck day by day: coffee, wine, vinegar and sunscreen. You then fill in the remaining deck area with the tongue-and groove sections. DRB Marine used to dabble in Flexiteek before switching over to Dek-King, which had excellent feedback all over the US and beyond. Over a three to five year period it will slowly take a light grey hue, but this can be sanded back to reveal the original colour. And it looks great. This is maybe inevitable with a plastic material that, after all, is not so different from natural wood that, unlike synthetic teak, cannot be repaired if not with a long work. On larger jobs, the manufacturer recommends assembling the mats in sections, as the limited working time of the epoxy restricts you to about 20 square feet at a time. Permateek is made of harder and rougher plastic, Flexiteek is softer while Plasdeck is somewhere in between. To lay out a deck, you first cut and fit the margins (and the king plank if youre using one), allowing a gap for caulking at each joint. We evaluated non-skid properties by placing a weighted foot on the deck, and then tilting the deck until the shoe skidded. We repeated this after chilling the deck down to below-freezing temperatures, to see if embrittlement occurred; we tried it again at 150 F or so, a temperature that a deck can reach under the tropical sun. The result is the same for all the three products: stains were removed with a simple cleaning carried out with the hands under the flowing water. SeaDek is popular with ocean racers. Solbian is also developing a version of the teak-effect panel with a non-slip finish. On the downside these materials are susceptible to damage from impact or pets claws. Italian solar panel manufacturer Solbian has a range of panels with a pigmented layer that creates different colour schemes. A UV inhibitor in the coating would obviously be of benefit, but coating the deck would bring you back into the endless cycle of periodic refinishingwhich teak decking is supposed to eliminate. It also has the benefit in being faster to dry than teak, which is handy in areas used for seating. One of the best-known brand names, Flexiteek, is celebrating its 20th anniversary and is expanding rapidly, with demand consistently growing at 20% annually. Esthec is a part of composite floor specialist Bolidt, which makes flooring in any shape for industrial applications through to decking for ships. Custom panels cost around 250/m2 (ex. Esthec, meanwhile is formed from natural components, without the harmful ingredients commonly found in PVCs. Foam decking: 150-200 Were anticipating an opportunity to work out some of our aggressions, as well as the chance to study what looks like an interesting and useful group of products. Yes, its true, the Permateek is also the darkest one but, at the end of the day and even after having remained in the shadow for more than one hour, it was still the hottest one (36.8), which suggests a longer heat retaining effect. This can damage the gel coat and allow moisture to enter the coring. Made by Stazo Marine Equipment in the Netherlands (the U.S. representatives operate out of the Stazo office in Thomaston, ME, and Marquipt in Pompano Beach, FL. This is also true for motorboats that, as you know, have wider decks and therefore need more square meters of synthetic teak. MarineDeck 2000 costs $28 to $29 per square foot (exterior grade), which includes adhesives and all other materials, and comes with a five-year warranty. Material costs are a little less than for teak, with typical savings around 5-20%. The former can look amazing at boat shows, though in the real world it can maybe look incongruous to those who understand the damage regular scrubbing does to real teak. Still, Flexiteek seems to us best suited for professional installation, or at least for installation by someone familiar with pattern-making, who has experience in fitting large surfaces, and perhaps a handy friend or two when it comes time to lay sections in place and secure them. Colour shades can also be matched to products of companies such as Flexiteek. remains lower, which contributes to reduce heeling when sailing while improving performance. Another difference between the three products concerns the width of slats and seams. Prices start at 349 (inc. VAT) for 1m2 DIY kit (including glue and caulking) and approx 400/m2 (inc. VAT) for larger custom made panels. 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