Marine Vinyl Flooring

Marine vinyl flooring is most popularly used in boating applications, but can be put to use anywhere that needs protection from water, oil, sunlight, and mildew. Most often, marine vinyl is used as flooring and for seat covers in boats and on piers, loading docks, and the like. Still, many homeowners have found ways to implement it in areas where durability is a must.

The highlights of marine vinyl flooring include:

• Resistance to water, oil, and mildew
• Durability and long life
• Can be easily installed

Why Insist on Marine Vinyl Flooring?

Though there are many quality residential vinyl floor options that are water resistant, this lighter grade vinyl does not contain properties that make it durable enough for use in marine applications. The qualities that make marine vinyl suitable for boating and outdoor applications are its resistance to mildew and thickness of material. Also, a quality marine vinyl is resistant to the sun’s UV rays, which will put an end to a normal grade vinyl very quickly when left out in the weather.

Vinyl is made from a combination of vinyl resin and other additives that are mixed together to form a uniform vinyl compound. Different compounds are used for different applications, and you are probably familiar with lighter grade vinyl compounds that are used in anything from stick-on decals to car interiors. The marine vinyl flooring compound is far superior to any of these other types of vinyl. Not only does it contain anti-fungal and UV resistant additives, but it is usually much thicker and sometimes comes with an embossed pattern for extra grip.

With this in mind, it is very important to look closely when shopping for marine vinyl to be used in outdoor applications. Often times you will find that normal vinyl is packaged as marine vinyl, and although it may contain anti-fungal properties, it is nowhere near the same. It will usually be thin with a cheap cotton-backing that will begin to show through as the thin vinyl on top cracks in the sun just months after application. That is where the UV protection comes in; only marine grade vinyl has the appropriate UV protection for outdoor use.

Installing Marine Vinyl Flooring

If you are looking to remodel your existing boat or add protection to any application that will see water, sun, and abuse, marine vinyl should be your first and only consideration. Though affordable itself, the cost of having marine vinyl installed can be expensive.

You will be glad to know that it is possible to work with on your own, especially if you are doing a simple job such as covering the floor of your boat or dock. Still, upholstery jobs should usually be outsourced to the professionals. Because of the quality of material, the marine vinyl flooring is very thick and is not very forgiving if you are trying to simply lay it out and “cut to fit.” For this reason, it is important to make precise measurements and pre-cut holes for seat and table bases and the like, just as you would do when installing tile flooring.

Marine Vinyl Flooring is Second to None

If you install the material yourself, you will soon learn that you only want to do it once. This is why you chose marine vinyl flooring in the first place; the durability is second to none. While lower grade vinyl materials will offer protection at first, they will quickly deteriorate, become an eyesore, and fail to protect your application.

All in all, durable marine vinyl is a great choice when it comes to highly weathered applications such as boat floors and seats and requires even less maintenance than caring for residential vinyl flooring. When constant exposure to water, humidity, and sun is in the forecast, there is just no other way for you to go!

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