Pontoon boat decking material

A pontoon boat is a mostly flat boat that uses floats on the sides to maintain buoyancy. Pontoon boats have many flooring options for prospective buyers. Each of the options listed below comes in a range of styles, colors and price points. There are DIY-friendly options as well as flooring styles that require professional installation. No matter the flooring style, it is important that buyers consider aesthetics and functionality based on the intended use of the boat.

What types of pontoon boat decking materials are available?

There are a wide variety of pontoon boat flooring options. The most popular materials for pontoon boat flooring are plywood, carpet, vinyl, runner, PVC and paint. Plywood for pontoon boat floors is the most common pontoon deck material. While it works well for construction, it is often not the best choice because it is more difficult to clean and is not considered aesthetically pleasing. Another pontoon boat flooring material is carpet. Carpet offers a comfortable feel underfoot and can be a cost-effective flooring option. However, like pontoon plywood, it can be difficult to clean and prone to mildew if not cared for correctly. Vinyl pontoon deck flooring is a popular alternative to carpet and plywood. Like carpet, it is very easy to install and comes in a wide selection of styles. Unlike carpet thought, vinyl is easy to clean. The only downside is that in hot temperatures, vinyl floors can get very warm. Other pontoon decking ideas include rubber flooring which is durable but can get very hot like vinyl in the sun and marine paint which is great for do-it-yourselfer. These paints are easy to apply and are incredibly cost-effective. Although they do require surface prep which can be a time-consuming process. Aluminum pontoon decking is offered as an alternative to plywood to buyers who are concerned about wood decay.