Frequently Asked Questions
Where is PlasDECK
manufactured?
What is PlasDECK made of?
What’s a
non-migrating plasticizer?
Will PlasDECK fade?
Is PlasDECK durable?
Is PlasDECK
slippery when wet?
Is PlasDECK hot?
How thick is PlasDECK?
How heavy is PlasDECK?
Is
PlasDECK available in different colors?
How
is PlasDECK attached to my boat deck?
On what kinds of surfaces can PlasDECK be installed over?
Does PlasDECK
have a warranty?
Can I install
PlasDECK myself?
Does the existing non-skid on my boat need to be ground off?
How much does PlasDECK cost if you Do-It-Yourself?
What’s a premade
panel?
How do I make a
template?
Can
I put a logo or boat name on my panel?
How
much do premade PlasDECK panels cost?
What’s a border?
How
does the material arrive at my boat?
Do I need to oil or varnish my PlasDECK after installation?
How
do you care for PlasDECK after installation?
Top
Where is PlasDECK
manufactured?
We are proud to say that all PlasDECK material is extruded in
the USA in the Akron, Ohio area. Akron is the polymer capital of
the world and we work closely with local engineers to develop
the best synthetic teak in the world. PlasDECK is the only
synthetic teak decking that’s made in the USA.
Top
What is PlasDECK made of?
PlasDECK is made of specially formulated flexible PVC. This
durable material contains non-migrating plasticizers, the
highest UV protection, and anti-fungal agents to ensure that
PlasDECK will look great for a very long time. PlasDECK has no
wood or cork content which would deteriorate over time.
Top
What’s a
non-migrating plasticizer?
All types of plastic contain oils or “plasticizers.” These oils
are usually free to move around within the plastic. They will
migrate to the surface where they can be washed away, or the
plasticizers will migrate to the bottom of the material and
compromise the glue bond.
The oils in our PVC plastic will not migrate because the oils
are locked in place. That means that the PlasDECK won’t dry out,
crack, or crumble over time and the PlasDECK will retain its
superior adhesion. This proprietary process is so unique that
PlasTEAK and PlasDECK have been awarded two US patents.
Non-migrating plasticizers can’t be found in other synthetic
decking products on the market.
Top
Will PlasDECK fade?
PlasDECK contains the highest UV protection available and this
protection is mixed throughout the material, not just on the
surface. This UV protection is automotive grade, which is the
same type used in modern automotive plastics. PlasDECK will
retain its vivid teak-like appearance for many years.
Look at our
weather testing to see how well PlasDECK holds up when
exposed to the elements.
Top
Is PlasDECK durable?
Yes! PlasDECK is designed to be extremely resilient and dent
resistant. Heavy foot traffic is no problem.
Top
Is PlasDECK slippery
when wet?
No! PlasDECK has an excellent no-slip surface that’s superior to
teak decking or non-skid fiberglass.
Top
Is PlasDECK hot?
Like a natural teak deck, or anything dark-colored, PlasDECK
will get warm in the sun. PlasDECK can be hosed off with water
to keep it cool, just like you would with a teak deck, but
PlasDECK won’t become slippery when wet. Deck shoes might also
be a good idea on a hot summer day.
We’re also working to develop a new series of PlasDECK material
called CoolTEAK which will be engineered to stay cool to the
touch even in the hottest direct sunlight. Coming soon!
Top
How thick is PlasDECK?
PlasDECK is ¼ inch (6.35 mm) thick.
Top
How heavy is PlasDECK?
PlasDECK is lighter than teak, weighing 1.2 lbs (.6 kg) per
square foot.
Top
Is
PlasDECK available in different colors?
The teak color used for all PlasDECK has the look of freshly
oiled or wet teak. The caulk lines are available in either black
or off-white. The black is traditional. The off-white lines
provide a teak & holly look.
Top
How is
PlasDECK attached to my boat deck?
We sell and recommend a very effective one-part urethane
glue.
This glue is applied to the deck and spread with a
trowel. Then
the PlasDECK is laid in place and smoothed out with a
roller.
Top
On what kinds of surfaces can PlasDECK be installed over?
Our adhesives will stick to wood, fiberglass, steel, aluminum,
and epoxies.
Top
Does PlasDECK have a
warranty?
Yes. PlasDECK material has a five-year
warranty.
Top
Can I install PlasDECK
myself?
Yes – absolutely. The DIY option is the most cost effective way
to install PlasDECK. PlasDECK
DIY material has shiplap edges so
that each strip fits seamlessly together as you lay the PlasDECK
down on your boat. Installation guides and
videos are available
on our website and you can call us if you need additional
support. We’ll be happy to help you along the way.
Top
Does the existing non-skid on my boat need to be ground off?
No. PlasDECK can be installed right on top of a non-skid area.
However, you may want to sand the ridge where the non-skid meets
the smooth part of the boat deck.
Top
How
much does PlasDECK cost if you Do-It-Yourself?
If you use our Do-It-Yourself products you can estimate
approximately $20 per square foot for material and glue. The
products that are listed on this website are for DIY
installations. If you send us photos and/or drawings of the
areas of your boat where you would like decking, we will be
happy to make recommendations and help you calculate how much
PlasDECK will be needed for your project.
Top
What’s a premade panel?
You send us an exact template of the area on your boat where you
want to have PlasDECK. We will digitize your template and turn
it into a CAD file that will enable us to cut an exact replica
of your template with our CNC machine.
The panels are made of strips of PlasDECK material with special
edges that we weld together to create a solid panel that’s ready
to be glued down as one solid piece. These panels are precisely
sized to match your template and the installation is much
quicker than the DIY method.
Top
How do I make a template?
Just trace the area of the boat. We recommend using our clear
template material because it’s wide, durable, and it’s
transparent so you can see through the template material and
draw on top of it over hatches and any other fixtures.
Click
here for an instructional video on template making.
Top
Can I put a
logo or boat name on my panel?
Sure! We can make custom lettering, logos, boat names, boat
brands, dealership names… the possibilities are endless. Contact
us to discuss your custom design ideas.
Top
How much do
premade PlasDECK panels cost?
The price of a custom built panel will vary according to how
complex the design is. On average, a premade panel will cost
approximately $40 per square foot. A deck with borders will cost
more than a deck without borders because it takes longer for us
to build these in our shop. Price can also increase if you have
a complex area that includes hatches or intricate curves.
Top
What’s a border?
A traditional natural teak deck requires margin boards that
border the entire perimeter of the deck areas. These boards seal
the end grains of teak decks to help them last a bit longer. The
margin boards are slightly wider than the planks used for the
main body of the deck. PlasDECK does not require borders since
it is made of PVC, but adding borders can recreate the classic
look of a traditional teak deck.
PlasDECK provides more design versatility than a wood deck
because you also have the option of bordering only certain
sections – many people like the look of a hybrid design where
only the aft section of the decking has a border. Another option
is the totally borderless New York style decking which provides
a more modern appearance. The long lines of the New York style
also tend to make areas look longer and sleeker.
Top
How does the
material arrive at my boat?
If you do it yourself, the rolls of material, glue, and tools
will usually be boxed up and shipped as a parcel. If you
purchase premade panels, these will be rolled into a tube.
Larger orders weighing more than 100 lbs will usually be
packaged on a pallet and will ship as freight on a truck. If you
hire a PlasDECK installer, the installer will often finish
building custom panels off-site and bring them when they come to
install.
Top
Do I need to oil or varnish my PlasDECK after installation?
No! Never! PlasDECK is a no-maintenance product that will never
require the time-consuming and costly maintenance of a teak
deck. With PlasDECK you’ll have more time to go out and enjoy
your boat.
Top
How
do you care for PlasDECK after installation?
Click here for our
Care & Maintenance Guide
|
|
