Marine Decking - The Features You Need
Marine decking offers a set of unique challenges to anyone developing a waterside dock.
That said, you have to avoid the temptation to use yesterday's technology to overcome these challenges.
While powerful waterside docks have been built for eons, you are going to spend a lot more time and money building one that would have been up to code in 1805 than one that can stand up to the best the new millennium has to offer.
The best building materials available today can ensure that you get all of the features you need to make your dock perfect from the start and resistant to the elements for years to come.
Here are the features you need.
Fade Resistance You want your marine decking to look just as good ten years from now as it does on the day it is put down.
With many styles, this is akin to an impossible dream.
The salt water, the sun, and even the constant foot traffic of those enjoying the water will take an enormous toll on the surface of your dock.
Eventually, this toll is going to become easily visible to the naked eye.
Fade resistance may not make your dock any stronger from a practical point of view, but aesthetics are important.
With as much money as you're going to spend on this project, make sure you don't have to dump more cash into it down the road for restoration.
Slip Protection It should go without saying that wet surfaces can be dangerous.
While you would be hard pressed to find even a child who does not know this, it's amazing how many docks are built without the slightest attention to providing some slip resistance.
Don't make the same mistake, especially if you are building in an area where children could be walking or running.
But children aren't the only consideration; adults can slip just as easily.
Some form of slip resistance should be built into your marine decking if you want to provide safety as well as quality.
Warranty For anyone who believes that a manufacturer should stand behind their products, a warranty is a must-have.
Don't accept anything less when looking for marine decking.
As noted, these materials will be up against the harshest of elements.
Few substances on earth take a toll on man-made structures like water.
This is especially true when the exposure is constant and unrelenting.
While you should choose materials that can stand up to the assault, you also want to make sure you have the backing of the manufacturer should their product not live up to the promise.
That said, you have to avoid the temptation to use yesterday's technology to overcome these challenges.
While powerful waterside docks have been built for eons, you are going to spend a lot more time and money building one that would have been up to code in 1805 than one that can stand up to the best the new millennium has to offer.
The best building materials available today can ensure that you get all of the features you need to make your dock perfect from the start and resistant to the elements for years to come.
Here are the features you need.
Fade Resistance You want your marine decking to look just as good ten years from now as it does on the day it is put down.
With many styles, this is akin to an impossible dream.
The salt water, the sun, and even the constant foot traffic of those enjoying the water will take an enormous toll on the surface of your dock.
Eventually, this toll is going to become easily visible to the naked eye.
Fade resistance may not make your dock any stronger from a practical point of view, but aesthetics are important.
With as much money as you're going to spend on this project, make sure you don't have to dump more cash into it down the road for restoration.
Slip Protection It should go without saying that wet surfaces can be dangerous.
While you would be hard pressed to find even a child who does not know this, it's amazing how many docks are built without the slightest attention to providing some slip resistance.
Don't make the same mistake, especially if you are building in an area where children could be walking or running.
But children aren't the only consideration; adults can slip just as easily.
Some form of slip resistance should be built into your marine decking if you want to provide safety as well as quality.
Warranty For anyone who believes that a manufacturer should stand behind their products, a warranty is a must-have.
Don't accept anything less when looking for marine decking.
As noted, these materials will be up against the harshest of elements.
Few substances on earth take a toll on man-made structures like water.
This is especially true when the exposure is constant and unrelenting.
While you should choose materials that can stand up to the assault, you also want to make sure you have the backing of the manufacturer should their product not live up to the promise.