If you’re in the market to purchase a new pontoon boat or you’re looking to make some upgrades to your existing vehicle, one of the most important aspects to consider is the flooring.
Pontoon boat floors come in a wide range of different materials, each with its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so the choice will require some careful consideration.
Read on below for an in-depth discussion on the various types of pontoon boat flooring materials and how you can make the best decision for your vehicle.
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What are the Most Popular Pontoon Boat Flooring Options?
When it comes to pontoon boat flooring options, there are a few materials that have stood the test of time as the most appropriate for boat floors. Avalon generally prefers vinyl or woven vinyl flooring, as they are the most durable while still remaining stylish and versatile.
With that said, these are by far the most popular flooring options, and they have a lot of significant benefits to bring to the table based on your needs and budget.
Plywood
By far the most popular option for pontoon boat flooring is plywood. This is mostly due to its affordability, as the material is quite inexpensive and can easily cover the floor space. So if your main concerns are about staying within budget, this may be the option for you.
However, plywood is far from the highest quality flooring material and has a lot of drawbacks. It’s quite difficult to clean and easily scratched and damaged. The cost of maintenance may very well offset the affordability of the installation, and its lack of durability makes it a poor choice for pet owners.
Carpet
The next step up in affordable flooring for pontoon boats is carpet. This maintains the same functionality and cost efficiency as plywood but is a bit more stylish and aesthetically appealing. However, it certainly is not without its drawbacks.
Carpet on a boat is guaranteed to get wet with regular use, which means mold and mildew will be a problem you’ll need to look out for. It is also challenging to clean thoroughly and prone to staining, especially from water damage.
Carpet may look nice at first, but it will require vigorous upkeep to maintain its aesthetic value for the long term.
Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the more common flooring materials available in Avalon pontoon boats, coming in gray and taupe, among other color options.
This type of flooring is probably the highest quality flooring material overall for a pontoon boat. It is far more durable than carpet or plywood. It’s also much easier to clean, so you won’t need to worry about constant maintenance or losing aesthetic value.
Plus, pet owners need not worry about damage from nails or accidents. It comes in a range of different styles, making it easily customizable to your taste.
The only thing counting against vinyl is that it is much more expensive than the previous two options. However, it would be a worthwhile investment, as the flooring would retain its quality for much longer.
Woven Vinyl
Woven vinyl is the most common material used for pontoon boat flooring at Avalon, and is often the default flooring option when ordering a pontoon through one of our dealers. There are many different colors and patterns available, which you can browse with our Build a Boat tool.
This flooring type is made from the same material as vinyl, but the technique used to lay it out adds some texture that many boat owners find pleasing. Plus, woven vinyl is offered in many patterns, colors, and designs, so it can be a really stylish accent piece that makes your vehicle stand out.
Of course, the price point for woven vinyl will still be relatively high, but you get a higher level of durability and longevity for your money.
The only other drawback is that some boaters find that vinyl flooring gets uncomfortably warm in the hot sun, but this can easily be mitigated by wearing shoes.
What are Some Unique Pontoon Boat Flooring Ideas?
If you prefer for your vehicles to stand out from the crowd, you certainly don’t have to choose from among the most popular flooring materials. There are plenty of unique pontoon boat flooring options to consider that, while not as common, definitely each have something to offer.
Check out these non-traditional flooring options and consider if they would work for your situation.
Rubber
Rubber flooring has been gaining traction for use on pontoon boats due to its low price point and comfort level.
Many find that, when standing on a rubber floor on a boat for extended periods of time, their joint, feet, and back pain is significantly less at the end of the day than with other materials. Rubber still gets quite hot in the sun, so there is a bit of a tradeoff.
The biggest problem with rubber is that it fades easily in the sun, so there is a certain level of upkeep and maintenance associated with it.
PVC
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a pretty solid option for a pontoon boat floor. It’s super easy to install, and its durability level rivals that of vinyl and woven vinyl. Plus, it doesn’t present the same cleaning challenges as plywood and carpet, and it can be easily customized for your aesthetic preferences.
Unfortunately, like vinyl and woven vinyl, PVC flooring is quite expensive. If you’re working under tight budget constraints, this is not the material for you.
But if you have the money, it can be a smart investment that will save you money on upkeep down the line.
Paint
Marine paint flooring is a great inexpensive option that can prevent slipping and sliding on wet surfaces.
It has become more popular in recent years as a cost-effective “do-it-yourself” alternative to some of the more expensive materials. However, it lacks durability and is certainly not the nicest thing to look at.
The biggest challenge with marine paint is the installation. Painting the floor is no big deal, but in order for it to go well, the surface must be prepared correctly.
This is a delicate process that can easily go wrong and is best achieved by seasoned experts, so there is some risk involved for novice floor painters.
How Should You Select a Pontoon Boat Flooring Material?
Make sure to keep your intent in mind when you make your decision. It mostly comes down to whether your priority is saving money or investing in long-lasting durability.
If that decision is clear, you can then narrow it down further based on aesthetic preference and ease of installation.
Which Pontoon Boat Flooring is the Best?
When it comes to durability and longevity, the clear winners are vinyl, woven vinyl, and PVC.
But if you’re looking to save money, plywood, carpet, rubber, and paint are very cost-effective to install and could be the right choice for you if you’re comfortable handling maintenance later on.
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