Loaded fittings on SyntheticTeak

[rajjes]

Hi all,

I'm building a swim platform that will have a recessed inlay to be covered in synthetic teak. The ladder fitting will be through bolted in the centre of this inlay.

The ladder must obviously be solidly mounted and I'm concerned that if I fit the ladder on top of the synthetic teak it might end up with some slight play as the mat compresses when loaded?

Options I'm considering are the following;

1. Proceed against gut feeling and fix ladder on top of synthetic teak. - Simple and visually pleasing.
2. Make a bed of epoxy under the part of the mat which will accommodate the ladder instead of the standard mastic to reduce flexibility. - ??
3. Raise the area under the ladder to mount the ladder solidly on the platform and fit the teak mat around fittings. - More complex

I guess my question boils down to: Does synthetic teak accept highly loaded fittings?

Duncan

 

[DavidMcMullan]

Suggest you ask a few suppliers. I suspect the material is quite stiff in compression and won't have much give.

 

[pvb]

Your option 3 is the way to go. Just insert a piece of solid material the same size as the ladder fittings, and cut the "teak" around it.
.