Comments on PlasTEAK or Lonseal for Flooring

[Olorin]

We are trying to choose vinyl flooring for our catamaran. We are looking at fake “teak and holly” products from PlasTEAK and Lonseal.

I’ve searched the forums and found a few threads but no outright recommendations. The products seem identical – “cut from the same roll” identical.

Has anyone used either of these products?
What are the opinions out there?

[Tampabayfireman]

We have been installing the Lonaseal on our boat, and having most of it down over a year now, v high recommendations. Biggest challange will be around hatches on floor. Plan it out before cutting first piece.

[Southern Star]

Olorin, I have Lonseal in the saloon of my cat and am generally pleased with both its appearance and durability - although admittedly the latter is based upon only three seasons. As to long-term durability, since Lonseal manufactures vinyl flooring for trains, aircraft, public transit, hospitals etc., one would expect it should hold up rather well being exposed to less traffic and boat shoes.

Brad

[engele]

Plasteak is a Lonseal dealer (when I asked for a dealer at Lonseal they recommended Defender and Plasteak). I bought our Lonseal from Defender just about a month ago. It is easy to work with and looks great. I am sure it is more durable than the plywood. I'd recommend making a pattern before cutting. I used stiff plastic sheeting from Home Depot (used in industrial shower surrounds). It was expensive but totally worth it to use a cheaper stiff material as a pattern.

[engele]

Basically, if my last post didn't make sense, PlasTEAK is Lonseal, it's great, and I'd recommend it based on my month of experience with it (so basically I can't speak to durability, but everything else is good, and it seems tough).

[crewofnoka]

We have just decided to put Lonseal in our catamaran, however, not sure what to use for the adhesive. Lonseal has a contact adhesive #400 that they recommend, however it only comes in gallons (more than we need) and is expensive. What have those of you who have installed it yourselves used?

[engele]

I tried using a vinyl floor adhesive, didn't like it, didn't want to pay $75 for their glue and used an industrial spray adhesive. We live on our boat, so it gets some heavy use, but it's only been a month or two since we installed it. No idea how it ill work out long term.The spray adhesive was easy to work with, didn't bubble like the vinyl floor adhesive and overall I think it is the right way to do the job. Your milage may vary and it does void your warrantee.

[DHHong Kong]

We have Lonseal on the saloon and hull floors in our cat, also used the left over from the complete roll (no partial roll available here) in the cockpit despite warnings against the external exposure from Lonseal (as some kind soul had nicked our remaining TBS). It has all been down almost two years with admittedly light use but has held up well, with no UV deterioration in the cockpit though the cockpit is almost entirely covered by the hard roof. We used Sikaflex to stick it down with good effect but you really need to scrape the sika thin to avoid bumps.

[two fast]

Hi All
I am thinking of installing Lonseal in the saloon and galley of my cruising cat, and love to hear how it wears over time
Thanks in advance.


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[engele]

Our Lonseal sole has held up very well. After a few years of cruising full time with a dog it really still looks new. It is very tough stuff.

[Terra Nova]

Ugly stuff, the faux wood-grain.

[engele]

We are very happy with our Lonseal sole, from both a practical and aesthetic standpoint and have received many compliments (one from a flooring installer who didn't realize it was Lonseal).

I hate fake wood floors in houses, but purchased Lonseal for the boat after seeing it in person. It looks nothing like the fake wood floors that you see in houses and is a great deal tougher than teak and holly plywood.

We are very satisfied, but to each his own.

[two fast]

Engene thanks for your feedback. One of the best things of cruisers forum


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[ssanzone]

i used ameriteak on my deck and am really happy with it.

it is certainly NOT, ascetically, a real teak and holly deck but really durable and has a nice 'natural' anti-slip to it.

personally i think a lot of companies are about squeezing every penny out of their customers but i still would only use the 'glue' they recommend as i have seen an old nuteak deck 'de-laminate'.

ameriteak either comes in strips (that installs like tongue & grove) or u can send them a pattern and they will cut to size and send u one piece to glue down.

as long as you keep in mind that while it will look really good it is not real wood, i am sure you will b happy.

gl.
-s

[chris in SG]

I have just purchased Lonseal teak & holly for my 40ft cat saloon floor. The existing floor is also 'fake' but it's laminate not vinyl. I had not considered the complication of joining vinyl (the rolls are 6ft wide and the saloon floor is about 10ft wide. Laminate can be simply glued and the join between strips is essentially invisible. However, vinyl is significantly flexible and it seems that 'welded' joints are recommended.

Any views on this? Will I need to hand this over to a professional flooring contractor? I noticed that most of the previous posts were from cat owners but no mention was made of joining Lonseal.