Your boat is the one place in the world where you feel like you can truly get away. It means hours of sun, wind, and the gentle rocking of the water. If you’re spending quite a bit of time on your boat lately, you may wonder about the little things you can do to enhance its aesthetic value. One simple option? Cabin sole replacement. What makes the best cabin sole flooring, though, and what should you consider as you make a purchase? Take a look.
Must Haves
As you think about what you want for your boat, keep in mind there are several features your cabin sole must-have.
- A solid and stable surface that allows for walking and standing.
- A higher level of durability. Since flooring installation in a boat is a cumbersome task, you preferably want a material that will last several decades.
- Anti-slip technology. This is one space that is going to be wet a lot! The last thing you want is for someone to slip and fall.
The Right Flooring Choice
So, what flooring should you have installed in your boat? Here are a few choices to consider.
Hardwood: Wood flooring offers proven long-term durability. Today there are several types of hardwood available for boat flooring including oak, pine, cedar, hickory, mahogany, and several others. But the one that is most popular is oak, primarily for its supreme water resistance, flexibility, strength, and durability.
Hardwood flooring can be installed on the interior floors and in the cabin as well as the rear deck. Keep in mind, though, like all flooring, hardwood can be slippery, especially in the presence of water. Hence it is vital that you have an added non-slip coat added to the finished product.
The one drawback to wood is that water can warp it. You’ll need to be careful to wipe up any spills, as well as waves or spray that make their way into the cabin. Wood will rot if exposed to water for a long period. This is very rare because it means ignoring a larger problem first.
Overall, hardwood is generally the best option for a cabin sole replacement, and it will mean you won’t have to face another replacement for a very long time.
Talk to your boat floor installer about how a hardwood floor will respond to humidity. There are ways to install hardwood that allow for a little bit of expansion and contraction.
Vinyl & Laminate: Vinyl and laminate flooring are also ideal for the interior or the cabin of the boat. Let’s tackle these two together. Their performance as interior boat flooring options is very similar. Their greatest strength is water resistance. Moisture isn’t an issue. Humidity can be, but so long as there’s air flow or air conditioning through the cabin, you should be fine. The latest vinyl and laminate flooring has been specially designed to be tough and resist environmental elements.
Vinyl planks can be replaced easily. This allows for easy inspection under the floor if you’re looking for seepage. The wood-like vinyl planks are specially made to counter the marine environment and come with an EVA foam which is easy on the feet and yet very moisture resistant- thus can be used on the deck as well as in any area of the boat that is exposed to moisture. Another major advantage of vinyl planks is that they can be recycled or reused. For example, if the boat is being remodeled, the planks can be reused or the planks can even be transferred to another watercraft. If the cabin ever gets water-logged for whatever reason, the vinyl planks can be removed, air dried, and reinstalled with ease.
However, the key to installing vinyl planks for a boat means selecting the right type. Select vinyl planks that are durable. Ensure your choice is thick and UV resistant.
Carpeting: This has always been a popular flooring option for the cabin chiefly because of its aesthetics. Advancements in carpeting construction mean that carpeting is now more durable and has a greater lifespan. There are even hypo-allergenic options for allergy sufferers. Of course, carpeting demands regular cleaning and strict attention to spills and spray. In most cases, the carpet has to have a backing layer to enhance the functionality, durability and protect the subfloor from water damage. The most important thing to understand is that only carpets made from nylon, olefin, polyester, and polypropylene are suitable for boats- these materials are hardy, strong, and also moisture resistant. The two basic types of carpets include the twist carpet and looped carpets. Twist carpet is where the fibers are tightly twisted in place and directly connected to the back of the carpet. These carpets do function well but can be difficult to clean and tend to wear out quickly. In looped carpets, the fibers are fixed into the carpet backing. They tend to accumulate less dirt, are easier to clean, and have a longer lifespan.
Making the Right Choice
With advances in technology, newer flooring materials for watercraft are appearing on the market regularly. The choice of boat flooring material depends on the cost, durability, toughness, water resistance, and aesthetics. For most owners, a combination of flooring materials may be used to protect different parts of the boat depending on the frequency of use and exposure to the marine environment.
Interested in learning more about our cabin sole replacements? Give us a call today.
