Wood Snap-Together Deck Tiles

[thinwater]

I have heard of a few sailors trying these (or some equivalent product)...

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20165486

(edited to reflect a different product)

... in the cockpit and shower areas, where Dri-dek tiles had been determined to be either ugly or painful by the admiral. They are for outdoor use, so I do perceive that rot or mold will be an issue, but I would like to hear any expereince.

[GordMay]

See: how we do it

[roverhi]

In this design, there are 6 vertical wood slats pre-screwed (zinc plated screws) into the interlocking plastic base (extreme weather rated polypropolyne).

Zink screws will be a perpetual source of bleeding rust and eventually will rust away leaving the wood unattached to the base. Has anyone tried Eucalyptus as a replacement for exterior teak?? It makes a great interior floor but will it weather without checking, splitting and rotting???

[bljones]

These might be a better choice:

IKEA | Flooring | Outdoor flooring | PLATTA | Decking

I know a couple of boatowners who have used them for a couple of seasons and they apparently have held up well.

[avb3]

Originally Posted by bljones

These might be a better choice:

IKEA | Flooring | Outdoor flooring | PLATTA | Decking

I know a couple of boatowners who have used them for a couple of seasons and they apparently have held up well.

We have not used them on a boat, but they are on our deck in northern Alberta, where they do well with rain, sun, temperatures ranging from -40 to 95, snow, freeze-thaw cycles and anything else you can think of. There is no visible deterioration; the only thing we don't have is the salt water environment.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by roverhi

In this design, there are 6 vertical wood slats pre-screwed (zinc plated screws) into the interlocking plastic base (extreme weather rated polypropolyne).

Zink screws will be a perpetual source of bleeding rust and eventually will rust away leaving the wood unattached to the base. Has anyone tried Eucalyptus as a replacement for exterior teak?? It makes a great interior floor but will it weather without checking, splitting and rotting???

Good points. Actually, the Ikea product BL Jones quoted is the one I have heard of being used. I will edit my post.

IKEA | Flooring | Outdoor flooring | PLATTA | Decking

[AnchorageGuy]

But these things are an inch thick. That will seriously raise the surface and present some challenges where they terminate unless it is against a bulkhead. Chuck

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

But these things are an inch thick. That will seriously raise the surface and present some challenges where they terminate unless it is against a bulkhead. Chuck

True. However for most center cockpit designs (my PDQ32) there are bulkheads on 4 sides. We already have Dri-deck, which will go away, saving ~ 3/4-inch. The same is true in the shower. It is the 4-sides that hold it in place.

There is a transition molding available for all of these products, BTW. Common issue in standard round-the-house useage.

Yes, there are many places I would NOT use this product. I would ONLY use it where I need drainage and it is well constrained.

My biggest concern, honestly, is fish blood. But somethings can't be helped, I guess.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by GordMay

See: how we do it

Very nice. No question, a class, durable solution.

How does it deal with a curved sole?

Also, honestly, it is a budget killer, $55/ft2 vs $3.80/ft2, with a big difference in labor. In my case, that's $75 vs $990, for something I'm not convinced I will like. It is also thicker (by the time I add drainage spacers).

I also find square grate harder on bare feet.

The Dri-Dek has the advantage of being easy to lift to hose-out. I suppose any wood system will score worse in that department. Whatever I do will be sectional.

But it's pretty!

[osirissail]

Unless you only sail on inland lakes and rivers, think what a salt-water environment mixed with maximum UV from the sun will do to the wood - and the underlayment. From the description it seems these square blocks are elevated off the undersurface material (FRG on a boat). What is going to grow and multiply underneath? How will you clean it?
- - Teak liftable slat covers for anchor wells and other spaces really don't last that long. With Dri-dek you can lift and roll back the material for cleaning underneath, how will you clean under this stuff especially if it is screwed down?

[wdb]

Those are great too. I got mines dirt cheap from diypatiodeck.com
There are so many types n choices and have great deals.
Mines are going on 8 years now and it still looks brand new!

[VirtualVagabond]

Originally Posted by wdb

Those are great too. I got mines dirt cheap from diypatiodeck.com
There are so many types n choices and have great deals.
Mines are going on 8 years now and it still looks brand new!

Welcome aboard.
Is yours teak, and do you have any pictures?

[wdb]

they look exactly like this.

[anjou]

Originally Posted by roverhi

In this design, there are 6 vertical wood slats pre-screwed (zinc plated screws) into the interlocking plastic base (extreme weather rated polypropolyne).

Zink screws will be a perpetual source of bleeding rust and eventually will rust away leaving the wood unattached to the base. Has anyone tried Eucalyptus as a replacement for exterior teak?? It makes a great interior floor but will it weather without checking, splitting and rotting???

I burned a lot of eucalyptus over the winter and noticed how wet it had initially been and more importantly, how much it shrank as it dried, so finding kiln or long term air dried timber is a must before its laid.

Sadly, the smell was all gone by the time it got to the fire. I had hoped it would clear my sinus.

[wdb]

hmm i dunno, i've had it for many many years, and it still looks new....so i have no idea, but yes they are pretty