Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

[89cruisers]

Hi there,
On my restoration project sportcraft, i'm trying to save as much money as possible. For the decking I am going to puchase 3/4" pressure treated, and being that it is pressure treated, spending the extra money on more resin, and the extra time sanding it smooth then gel coating it seems extensive for wood that is pressure treated. My idea is to still have the resin for the corners to attach the deck to the sides and transom, but I already have a wood primer which is a sealer also, and oil based gloss exterior white paint to put over the primer. (from a homemade camper project of mine) It would seem this would be good enough to be used for a deck while saving time and money, but what are your opinions?

 

[jonesg]

Re: Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

The glass is to keep the grain from splitting apart.
Heating and cooling, expanding and contracting...thats the routine.
Your idea is ok for interiors but not for exposed to the element applications.
Not to mention a simple paint scratch will allow water to penetrate the wood.
Many of us have considered these things at some point.

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

The glass is to keep the grain from splitting apart.
Heating and cooling, expanding and contracting...thats the routine.
Your idea is ok for interiors but not for exposed to the element applications.
Not to mention a simple paint scratch will allow water to penetrate the wood.
Many of us have considered these things at some point.

well, pressure treated wood is used for outdoor purposes, and then using a oudoor primer, and then a outdoor oil based paint, wouldnt that work well enough since the wood will not rot anyways? i will be reusing my carpet as a removable carpet, so appearance is not a big issue

 

[drewpster]

Re: Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

Another alternative would be to laminate something over the exposed part of the deck. I have seen wood decks laminated with vinyl and with teak look-alike laminates. I have also seen house boat decks done with floor tile! (extreamly heavy) My first choice for durability is fiberglass, no question. But there are alternatives. And you wont have to settle for an ugly deck.

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

Another alternative would be to laminate something over the exposed part of the deck. I have seen wood decks laminated with vinyl and with teak look-alike laminates. I have also seen house boat decks done with floor tile! (extreamly heavy) My first choice for durability is fiberglass, no question. But there are alternatives. And you wont have to settle for an ugly deck.

I have a brand new stack of vinyl floor tiles also from a friends house that was being thrown away, but was told the problem with using that would be to make sure the tile is 100% sealed as to water not getting below it. my only concern with the fiberglass is because this project is already over budget, and taking to long (city does not like 2 rvs in my driveway)

 

[jonesg]

Re: Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

Time and money being an issue, follow your original plan, if you keep the carpet relatively dry it should be fine .
With a $100 worth of poly resin and some mat I could do the deck in less time you'd spend painting it.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

The biggest problem you're going to run into is that most F/G boats use the floor as a structural component and without glassing it to the sides, the hull will lack the needed support the floor added.

If that isn't or wasn't an issue, then the low budget method is to use regular or PT plywood and skip the carpet (it will do nothing but rot the wood anyhow) and paint the surface instead. Then just set the plywood in place with no, or very few fasteners. The entire floor should cost you less than $100.00 this way and be easy to replace again in the future if needed.

 

[redfury]

Re: Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

If you insist of carpeting it, then try to make it so the carpet can be removed to allow it to air out ( snap in carpet! )

 

[Mark42]

Re: Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

Use pressure treated ply like you planned, epoxy to the hull at the perimeter. Then glue down marine vinyl flooring. Marideck is fairly economical. Will outlast carpet, is water proof, easy to install, and easy to clean.

From $14.99 a yard.

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

Okay, Okay I will stick to glassing the floor over, especially since I will be tearing my cabin up to extend it I suppose the glassing on the floor will be helpfull

 

[drewpster]

Re: Using sealed wood for deck, other options other than glass

I know it is costly, but it really is your best option. Then after the deck gets glassed you can make it all purdy