Refurbishing a pontoon or renovating a boat doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. By simply replacing your outdated, worn out, stained, ripped or faded boat carpet with smart marine flooring, your pontoon takes on a new life all its own. With so many options available in boat flooring, which floor is right for you and your pontoon?
Real Wood
Beautiful wood, especially popular teak, looks great on a boat deck but you’ve got to cut down trees to obtain it. Because it comes mostly from Asia, it has to travel far and ends up being a very expensive option. To keep woods (including teak) looking pristine, it takes lots of work and maintenance.
Foam Marine Decking
Foam might be easy to work with and look great right after it is installed, but it quickly disintegrates. Once scratched or torn, it goes fast when moisture penetrates its surface. Foam is probably the least durable option out there.
Indoor/Outdoor Carpet & Artificial Turf
Some boaters like the ease of maintenance and installation this type of carpet or turf provides. But when it comes to the WOW factor, these products just aren’t as aesthetically-appealing as other options. They also aren’t as comfortable underfoot as more cushioned products on the market. Indoor/outdoor carpet and artificial turf many seem resistant to water, yet they still can retain moisture and become moldy and mildew.
Marine Carpet
Budget-friendly carpet certainly has its downfalls, most important being that it just doesn’t last long in a boating environment. It might be cushiony and slip-resistant but that is about all it has going for it. Carpet is very high maintenance and requires a lot of regular cleaning which usually negates the lower cost upfront. Carpet is not waterproof by any stretch, so rot, mildew and mold are a constant worry. It is prone to humidity, odors, staining, dirt and pollen, and also collects sharp objects like fish hooks which get imbedded in its texture. Carpet also discolors and ages prematurely from sun exposure.
Rubber Flooring for Boats
Another non-UV stable contender is rubber flooring. Although affordable, it’s not the most attractive option available. Rubber can fade and deteriorate quickly. And… it retains the suns heat, so it becomes hot fast when on the water on a bright sunny day.
Polyvinyl AquaTread® Marine Flooring
Vinyl is the winner when it comes to marine flooring for so many endearing reasons. The most durable boat flooring is AquaTread®, the #1 pontoon boat flooring. It stands out from the crowd, well… because quite frankly, it makes your boat stand out from the crowd and more:
- AquaTread is available in attractive solid, leather-like textures, as well as 20+ stunning designs including wood-grain patterns like authentic-looking teak. Images are printed underneath the vinyl, not on top or in between, so they remain just as beautiful years down the road as the day you install it.
- Made in the USA of premium, durable, solid polyvinyl, AquaTread is seamless and water-resistant providing unparalleled protection from rot, mold and mildew.
- Its non-woven material won’t crack, peel, flake, snag or dent (from fish hooks or anchors), providing years of service under extreme weather conditions and heavy foot traffic.
- AquaTread is UV-resistant. Its clear, high-quality images and brilliant colors are protected by an industry-leading wear layer topcoat. No fading or deteriorating due to prolonged sun exposure.
- Affordable AquaTread is easy to install and economical to maintain. Installation is DIY; trim to fit and the cushiony Spun bound backing grabs glue quickly. Just use soap/water to clean.
- AquaTread is odor-resistant, stain-resistant, slip-resistant and flame retardant.
- Its non-porous surface resists common marine chemicals, oils and gas.
- AquaTread is cooler than most other objects on the boat.
With AquaTread’s 5-year Limited Warranty and 3-year UV exposure guarantee, it’s the only choice for your pontoon boat makeover!