opinions on the best imitaion teak

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gjgm

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I have sometimes wandered past the boat sow stands on this, somewhat half heartedly, I admit. This though isnt for a boat but a first floor balcony..maybe I should consider something else anyway (JTB?). Still, the question is, what actually looks good, instead of me thinking, cripes, this loks ****, every time I look at it. Slight confession..I think most of them lok **** !
 
gjgm said:
I have sometimes wandered past the boat sow stands on this, somewhat half heartedly, I admit. This though isnt for a boat but a first floor balcony..maybe I should consider something else anyway (JTB?). Still, the question is, what actually looks good, instead of me thinking, cripes, this loks ****, every time I look at it. Slight confession..I think most of them lok **** !
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http://www.flexiteek.co.uk/

dead satisfied customer
 
I'm going with Flexi Teek for my Antares 30, samples looked more realistic with colour variations.

Edited to ask, Elessar which colour did you opt for? I'm thinking scrubbed teak. Is it true the colour goes darker with age?

Anders
 
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Anders_P42 said:
I'm going with Flexi Teek for my Antares 30, samples looked more realistic with colour variations.

Edited to ask, Elessar which colour did you opt for? I'm thinking scrubbed teak. Is it true the colour goes darker with age?

Anders
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Yes its true that none are completely UV stable and very slowly darken. Sanding restores original colour if needed.

Cant post pics from iphone easily. I got the one that looked just cleaned, ie light straw as opposed to just sanded/new which is darker.
 
I had flexi teak on a boat. In the UK it didn't change colour after three years, but when I took the boat to the med it did darken pretty quickly. Saying that if I had a boat in the UK I would definitely prefer flexiteak over real teak. Really easy to look after and good grip when wet and a very good imitation.
 
gjgm said:
I have sometimes wandered past the boat sow stands on this, somewhat half heartedly, I admit. This though isnt for a boat but a first floor balcony..maybe I should consider something else anyway (JTB?). Still, the question is, what actually looks good, instead of me thinking, cripes, this loks ****, every time I look at it. Slight confession..I think most of them lok **** !
Click to expand...

I've just ordered flexiteek for the cockpit of a sports boat, as it seems to get good reviews from those who have had it fitted. I've chosen the "scrubbed" look, as this is a bit lighter colour, with traditional black caulking. I'll let you know how realistic it looks in a couple of weeks, or of course you're welcome to come and have a look if you're considering using it yourself.
 
Elessar said:
http://www.flexiteek.co.uk/

dead satisfied customer
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i chose the 3rd one - a monotone competitor for comparison
IMG_2686.jpg


stripes!
IMG_2689.jpg
IMG_2687.jpg


a close up of the finished result
IMG_3073.jpg
IMG_3074.jpg


fitting
IMG_3088-001.jpg
IMG_3090-001.jpg
 
Robert Wilson said:
That stuff looks seriously good. And gets good reviews.
Two questions:-

Does it come completely pre-cut/formed so panels fit exactly including cut-outs, curves and borders? i.e. ready-to-lay?
Any idea what sort of £££s to fit decks, cockpit and cabin top of a 9m boat (Javelin30)?
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Yes it comes completely made ready to lay. The planks are welded together in the workshop. Give rob at advanced marine decking a ring for price. It depends on complexity and area. The former adds labour cost. And i bought mine in 3 sections as my project progressed. So i dont know the total.
 
Robert Wilson said:
That stuff looks seriously good. And gets good reviews.
Two questions:-

Does it come completely pre-cut/formed so panels fit exactly including cut-outs, curves and borders? i.e. ready-to-lay?
Any idea what sort of £££s to fit decks, cockpit and cabin top of a 9m boat (Javelin30)?
Click to expand...

The cockpit of a 24' sport boat is costing £1,500 complete. About a third of the cost is templating and fitting.
 
Elessar cheers for the pics, install looks good. Think I might go for the Scrubbed Teak as that will be slightly cooler under foot too.

Anders
 
Nick_H said:
The cockpit of a 24' sport boat is costing £1,500 complete. About a third of the cost is templating and fitting.
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So what area of Flexiteak do you get for £1k, Nick ?
Or, how much is this stuff per square metre , anyone? Robbins teak faced ply is about £150-200 sqm, for example, I think.
 
We have used FlexiTeek in the past on boats that we build, probably 60 or 70 boats, and the only problem is that people think they don't need to maintain it at all. So they get dark with age. But if they are kept clean with white or brown Scotch pads, and perhaps lightly sanded after five years, they look pretty much like new. Now, with the real teak we are using, on un-crewed boats it is even worse, but people seems to accept it when natural teak looks terrible...:)
 
Designo said:
people seems to accept it when natural teak looks terrible...
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Well, natural teak getting grey is ...ermm... something natural.
You might think it looks terrible, but anything you can do to avoid that will only lead to reduce its thickness, in the long run.
Anyway, each to their own, of course. I also don't see the point in some silicone jobs, but many others do, obviously.... :D
 
MapisM said:
Well, natural teak getting grey is ...ermm... something natural.
You might think it looks terrible, but anything you can do to avoid that will only lead to reduce its thickness, in the long run.
Anyway, each to their own, of course. I also don't see the point in some silicone jobs, but many others do, obviously.... :D
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Slightly grey is fine, but if you just keep it clean with what I call a brown Scotch-pad and water, rinsed sideways, and once in a while with dishwasher powder and hot water, it makes almost nothing to the thickness, but keeps it looking better than new for many years. Smooth and nice to walk barefoot on too. But people are too lazy and then use high pressure or brushes and expensive teak cleaners and sealers and what have you, which ruins the teak in no time...
 
As you are talking about a balcony and not boat decking look at the recycled products .

We have done a few balconies using http://www.trex.com/products/decking-and-railing/transcend-decking-and-railing/ and yes you can see it is not hardwood planking but it looks pretty good , its hardwearing , does not warp and has a 25 year guarantee.

Teak decking as used on a boat including the real plastic teak is not suitable for balconies if you want the hardwood planking look.

Wood tends to swell with moisture, warp and grow slime and mould. Softwood does not last well and rots quite quickly.
 
Designo said:
Slightly grey is fine, but if you just keep it clean with what I call a brown Scotch-pad and water, rinsed sideways, and once in a while with dishwasher powder and hot water, it makes almost nothing to the thickness, but keeps it looking better than new for many years. Smooth and nice to walk barefoot on too. But people are too lazy and then use high pressure or brushes and expensive teak cleaners and sealers and what have you, which ruins the teak in no time...
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LOL, you're obviously underestimating my laziness. Leaving aside pressure wash, that I avoid like the plague for obvious reasons, also teak cleaners are banned from my boat.
The key is in your "...makes almost nothing to the thickness".
My much simpler philosophy of living with the grey colour makes absolutely nothing to the thickness! :D
 
MapisM said:
The key is in your "...makes almost nothing to the thickness".
My much simpler philosophy of living with the grey colour makes absolutely nothing to the thickness! :D
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Not if you never try to remove it, but otherwise the dirt softens the grain and the teak needs a sanding to regain a decent look. Or a replacement...
 
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