With good flooring, you can have an extremely different boating experience. If you make the proper choice, then it can add to the longevity of the boat. Marine flooring Options have taken over the market for quite long. With technological advancements, they are getting more popular day by day. These marine flooring options come with comfort, safety and style. These are also moisture wicking, strong and durable. When bonded with good marine grade backing, they are also slip resistant. If we observe, there are many features which actually make them worthy. In this article, we will see various marine flooring options.
Marine Plywood Flooring
Plywood is traditionally used material in most pontoon boat decks. Marine-grade plywood with a tongue and groove fit can ensure a watertight finish. However, being good in deck construction, they are not inherently the best option for flooring. It is not aesthetically pleasing and requires lot of effort in maintenance and cleaning.
Best Option:
Pontoon Stuff Marine Grade Plywood
The marine grade plywood from Pontoon Stuff comes with a B face and C bottom. They have a sanded smooth top (which may have small knots) and there are unfilled voids in the bottom. It is best to be used underneath carpet/ other flooring options. The marine grade plywood is also CCA treated so as to make it last longer. The 7 plys are pressed and glued together and then kiln dried. The plywood will not rot or warp as a result.
Marine Carpet Flooring
For many years, carpet has remained a popular choice for pontoon boat flooring. It is quiet similar to household carpeting. However, the marine grade ones can withstand the elements while boating. They are more durable and water resistant when compared to household carpeting. Carpet is soft and comfortable to walk on. They are available in many colors and styles. The look can be appealing. They offer great finish. Marine carpets are also cost effective and the cheapest option for your pontoon boat flooring. Marine carpets offer you with good traction, so you can easily stabilize yourself on a moving boat. This can be especially useful when your feet are wet.
However, carpet is prone to stains and can be difficult to clean. Though marine carpets are water resistant, it can take up moisture over time which can cause damage. If not properly taken care of, they can also cause damage to the plywood deck underneath. Carpets are prone to mildew if not cared for properly. It can also absorb odors which can cause foul smells which can be unpleasant.
Best option:
Pontoon Stuff Marine Grade Carpet
The value priced non textured cut pile marine grade pontoon boat carpet is sold by foot. The fiber used in the marine grade carpet flooring is 2600D Polypropylene which is 100% UV stabilized. They have marine grade rubber backing, which is to be glued down. The non-textured boat carpet comes in three styles: 16oz, 20oz and 24oz. There is 3 year warranty which covers any fading and deterioration.
The 8-1/2′ width textured Pontoon Boat Carpeting from Pontoon Stuff is of 200z cut loop Berber style. The fabric is 2600D polypropylene which is 100% UV stabilized. The textured look can hide dirt and sand. The high quality marine carpet flooring is a mix of cut piled and cut looped fibers. You can easily trim the excess carpet. The textured marine carpeting has rubber backing which needs to be glued down. There is also a 28oz luxury boat carpet which is the thickest and the most comfortable. There is 3 year warranty which covers any fading and deterioration.
If you intend to replace the deck too, then Pontoon Stuff also has that option. There are carpet kits for those buying marine plywood locally and deck kits for those who cannot find the correct marine plywood locally.
Marine Aluminum Flooring
Marine grade aluminum flooring is also popular choice of pontoon decking. Being lightweight and durable, they are used in many pontoon boats and fishing boats. They will not add a bulk to your vessel’s weight. They also require a little less effort in terms of maintenance. They are quiet inexpensive, making them an affordable option. They also offer good traction and thereby stability on a moving boat.
There are some cons associated with this type of flooring. The aluminum flooring is not so aesthetically appealing .It can be somewhat noisy to walk on with your shoes. They do require a bit more maintenance especially when you are out in saltwater medium (Aluminum can cause galvanic corrosion). You can use freshwater and detergent to clean the aluminum flooring.
Best Option:
AriDek Aluminum Deck Surface with Deck Drainage System
The AridDek Waterproof Deck System with innovative tongue-in-groove design creates a seamless single layer surface. This surface has an integrated hidden gutter system that channels water away from your structure. The watertight structure thereby creates a beautiful and low-maintenance deck surface. It is easy to install. The interlocking boards being secured with a hidden fastener system leads to a continuous, slip-resistant deck surface, making it perfect for marine applications.
Marine Rubber Flooring
Marine rubber flooring can last longer. It is also way cheaper compared to other marine flooring options. It is soft and supportive. It can relieve stress on the feet, knees and back. Being slip resistant, it offers good stability. So passengers get added safety. They can also be available in different textures and color options.
However, rubber flooring is not aesthetically pleasing. These are also not UV resistant and can fade over time. They have the ability to track heat and thus make you uncomfortable when out in the Sun for long hours. You may need to have proper maintenance and frequent checks to ensure that the rubber flooring is keeping up the quality.
Best Option:
Rubber Cal Marine Boat Flooring
Rubber Cal Marine rubber flooring is made from a very durable rubber. The deck will be protected from damages from heavy objects and other wear and tear. They have a natural non-slip surface so that passengers won’t slip. If by chance someone slips, then also the impact will be less. They are easy to clean. They add a protective layer to the deck, thereby protecting the decks against damage from normal wear and tear and heavy objects. The Marine Rubber flooring also displays anti-fatigue properties. It is also weather resistant.
Marine Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is another synthetic flooring option which is made from PVC (Poly Vinyl Carbon). These can be colored or textured and can be made to resemble a variety of materials like wood, ceramic, and stone. Being synthetic, it is cheaper. It is durable and easy to install. You can have a great time in the pontoon boat with the great look the vinyl flooring adds to your pontoon boat. This is the most common flooring type in larger boats. Vinyl flooring comes in the form of sheets, tiles, planks. They are easy to install. They are highly impermeable to water. Pontoon boats can exposed to Sun for prolonged periods. Vinyl flooring options will not fade away with the exposure to sun. They come in different patterns with wide selection. There are also woven vinyl flooring options which come with textured finish, offering much more styles and color options which can also add to the aesthetics. These durable models can last longer if installed and maintained properly. They can also create the right amount of friction underfoot so as to create an antiskid surface. It is soft and comfortable. You can add padding beneath for making it even softer. Vinyl flooring is sound resistant. They are easy to clean and require less maintenance. You can use high pressure washer to clean the surface.
However, they are costly. But they are worthy for the money you spend. They also have the tendency to heat up when exposed to Sun for longer hours. With advancement in technology, there are vinyl flooring options (Marine SeaGrass) which absorb less heat. This can again add to the price.
Best Options:
Pontoon Stuff Vinyl Flooring
Extreme Duty Pontoon Vinyl Flooring
Pontoon Stuff Vinyl Flooring offers a great alternative for replacing marine carpet on your pontoon boat. The 50mil marine grade vinyl flooring comes with 102″ width. Being slip resistant the surface is easy to clean and maintain. The Vinyl Flooring is also 100% UV stabilized, so that it will not fade. With the woven polypropylene backing, it can be glued down to your wooden deck. You get four different pontoon vinyl flooring length options in the range: 16 foot, 20 foot, 24 foot and 28 foot.
DeckMate Woven/ Woven Teak Vinyl Pontoon Flooring
DeckMate Woven Vinyl Flooring is available in two options: standard woven texture or woven teak. This beautiful pontoon vinyl flooring is soft to walk on, slip-resistant, and durable. It is also stain resistant. The pontoon vinyl flooring is also easy to clean and maintain. With above 300 hours of UV stability, you get mold and mildew resistant 140mil marine grade vinyl flooring. Available in gray and tan color options, the below mentioned is the vinyl flooring length options you could have:
- 16′ x 8.5′
- 20′ x 8.5′
- 24′ x 8.5′
- 28′ x 8.5′
Woven Vinyl
Teak Woven
MariDeck Vinyl Pontoon Flooring
The MariDeck Vinyl Pontoon flooring is another great alternative to traditional high maintenance marine carpet. The waterproof vinyl flooring can protect your pontoon boat from environmental conditions and will also enhance the look of your pontoon boat. Cleaning up is extremely easy with just a spray of water. The MariDeck vinyl flooring comes with an embossed surface which is slip resistant and has a textured surface. You can install it on wood, aluminum and fiberglass structures. For pontoon boats, you need to use 102″ vinyl flooring, available in 34 mil and 80 mil thicknesses. They are available in a wide variety of color options, including sand, granite, stone gray, etc. to name a few.
PVC Boat Flooring
PVC is a high-quality synthetic flooring option which is not that popular. They are not typically used in boat manufacturing industry. They are sort of do it yourself stuff. They are available in the form of tiles which can be fixed across the deck. The PVC flooring is durable and requires less maintenance. They are also fully waterproof. They can also be removed and replaced without much trouble. They come in different color options.
However, PVC flooring is not UV resistant. However, with advancement in technology, there are UV resistant models being evolved.
Best Option:
Marideck Marine Flooring (Non-Porous Solid PVC)
The PVC flooring is water resistant and slip resistant flooring. You can clean up the flooring easily. It is UV treated so as to improve the life period to maximum sun exposure. Available in many different color options, 102” wide options will be suitable for pontoon boats.
Marine EVA Foam Flooring
EVA is made out of foam. It provides non-slip surface. It also does not absorb water. They also feature shock absorbent properties.
However, they can stain easily and are prone to damages when cooler or anchor is drug across them.
Best Option:
Castaway EVA Foam Boat Flooring
It is comfortable, soft & durable. The EVA foam is shock absorbent. It is adjustable to fit. It comes with 3M adhesive backing. It provides non skid surface. It claims to be stain resistant. Available in a few color options, they are available in three size options: 15″ x 15″, 15″ X 39″and 40″ X 80″.
Installation Tips for Marine Flooring Options
They are usually glued down. Carpet and woven vinyl typically come on a roll or by cut yardage. So the user is responsible for cutting and binding the edges with care. This requires good knowledge. Now, proper surface preparation is a must when it comes to the glue-down applications. Now, after removing and cleaning the old surface, the glue is applied and the product is rolled out. Air bubbles need to be removed in order to make the product is fully in contact with the adhesive.
Now we have seen the various marine flooring options. Vinyl flooring is getting more and more popularity nowadays. They are easy to maintain and clean. They also offer slip resistant and water resistant surface. They are available in standard and woven textures. Being UV resistant, they can last longer. They are also available in a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from. So it is indeed one of the best options to check out for. With rapid improvements in technology, there can be more in terms of marine flooring options in the coming times.