Q. What’s the deal with the Flexiteek® patent lawsuit?
A. This past summer (2009) in a Federal District court the previous PlasDECK product was found to be infringing on a patent held by Flexiteek® based on the fact that the smooth underside of the material , when magnified 50x, exhibited longitudinal grooves which are cited in the patent. Flexiteek® was awarded rather minor monetary damages. Although there was no injunction ordered to cease the sale of the original PlasDECK material, PlasDECK, Inc. has taken the opportunity to redesign the PlasDECK product to alleviate any further issues. The result is the new PlasDECK E-Series. It has all of the features that made the original PlasDECK so superior and even a few extra. Since that ruling PlasDECK, Inc. has been awarded two unique US patents on the new E-Series material and, ironically, the legitimacy of the original Flexiteek® patent is currently under review by the USPTO.

Q. Isn’t PlasDECK E-Series the same as TEK-DEK®?
A. NO! The first generation PlasDECK E-Series was imported from England and manufactured by Tek-Dek, LTD. However, PlasDECK E-Series is now a completely re-engineered decking product manufactured here in the USA expressly to address issues encountered with the imported materials.

Q. Is PlasDECK the same as NuTeak®?
A. NO! NuTeak is actually the first generation tongue and groove Flexiteek® material. It is licensed for sale in the USA under the NuTeak name by Flexiteek® and is imported from Europe. It is a cold welded (glue together) material and under the terms of the license cannot be heat welded. It does not have the more realistic color or the material improvements that were recently incorporated into the current Flexiteek® product.

Q. What are “Non-Migrating Plasticizers”?
A. All soft plastics use oils to provide their flexibility. Inexpensive plasticizers tend to move around within the material over time and will eventually work their way to the surfaces. On the top surface they evaporate and get washed away, causing the material to dry, crack, crumble and chalk. When the oils move to the bottom surface they jeopardize the bond with the adhesive causing premature release. PlasDECK E-Series formulation ensures that these oils are immobile so the material will retain its adhesion, stain resistance and flexibility much longer than other products.

Q. Is PlasDECK E-Series slippery when wet?
A. NO! PlasDECK E-Series offers superb traction, much better than non-skid patterns molded into the fiberglass. It actually offers a little more traction when it is wet than when it is dry. Many of our customers have purchased PlasDECK E-Series simply for it’s non-slip properties, especially on swim platforms.

Q. Does PlasDECK E-Series get hot in the sun?
A. PlasDECK E-Series will get warmer than a white fiberglass deck due to its darker color. Temperatures compare to that of a real teak wood deck. As most boaters who are used to southern summers already know, spraying a teak deck with water will cool it down without fear of making it slippery. The same technique works great with PlasDECK E-Series.

Q. What if I damage my PlasDECK E-Series?
A. PlasDECK E-Series is very tough but we recommend that you treat it like a real teak deck. That means you should try to avoid dragging your anchor across it and leave the spiked golf shoes at home. However, should you scratch or scuff your deck you can sand out the blemish with 40 grit sandpaper. For more extensive damage, we can remove and replace small sections of the material by cutting along the caulking lines.

Q. How do I take care of my PlasDECK E-Series?
A. Just wash it once in a while! Use whatever soap you use to wash the rest of your boat. For petroleum spills we recommend a mild dish detergent like Dawn or Palmolive. Avoid using any harsh solvents like Acetone or MEK around your PlasDECK E-Series. Unlike real wood, PlasDECK E-Series can be pressure washed without damage.

Q. How thick is PlasDECK E-Series?
A. PlasDECK E-Series is about ¼” thick and is completely colorfast throughout the entirety of the material.

Q. Does PlasDECK E-Series come in different colors?
A. PlasDECK E-Series is available with either black or off-white caulking lines.

Q. How much do PlasDECK E-Series materials cost?
A. Raw material cost can vary for the same area depending on the pattern desired but you should plan on a bout $23/sq.ft. That should cover the material and all of the necessary adhesives. See our online store for more information.

Q. How much do pre-assembled PlasDECK E-Series panels cost?
A. Panel kits are quoted per project and vary depending on the pattern and requisite labor. Panel kits can range from $40 to $55 per square foot.

Q. How much is a custom PlasDECK E-Series installation?
A. Custom Installations are quoted per project and vary depending on the pattern and the requisite labor and travel. Custom installations can range from $60 to $75 per square foot. On the East Coast we find that on average our custom installations cost about 65% that of real ½” thick teak wood planking.

Q. Why should we choose TT Custom Marine to do the installation?
A. Your boat or yacht is not just another project to us. We take great care to ensure that our installations look correct and authentic. Our experience with larger yachts and more difficult applications put our craftsmen in a league of their own. Our people are honest and trustworthy and we won’t leave your project unless you are 100% satisfied. We also provide a full 3 year warranty on our craftsmanship, try and find that anywhere else in the marine industry.

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INSTALLATION FAQ’s

Q. Can I install PlasDECK E-Series myself?
A. YES! PlasDECK E-Series comes in various extrusions that make it simple for the average handyman to lay a truly convincing deck. The best part is that installing it yourself does not reduce the warranty. See our online store and installation guide for more information.

Q. How is PlasDECK E-Series attached to the deck?
A. PlasDECK E-Series is installed using a single part polyurethane adhesive specially formulated for marine use by Bostik. The adhesive is troweled on to the deck using a notched spreader and the PlasDECK E-Series material is bed in place using a flooring roller.

Q. How do I determine how much PlasDECK E-Series I need?
A. Our free estimation and design services will take all of the guess work out of ordering. With a deck plan or sketch and measurements we can develop a pretty accurate bill of materials. See our Design and Estimating page for more information.

Q. Do I have to grind off the non-skid pattern on my fiberglass?
A. It is not necessary for proper adhesion and many decks have been done without removing any non-skid. However, we occasionally recommend it in areas where there are differences in height across a section of deck. The finished results will be more pleasing.

Q. What do I need to do to my decks before installation?
A. The decks need to be clean and free of any dirt, grease or wax. A good cleaning with Acetone or Denatured alcohol usually does the trick.

Q. How hard is it to make a usable template of my boat?
A. Very easy. We prefer to use a clear Mylar or Polyester film that you simply lie over the area and trace the edges with a permanent marker. The Mylar will not shrink, stretch or warp like paper or other materials. Plus you can see through it to identify any potential problems. Then just roll it up and send it off to us.

Q. Where do I get the template material?
A. We will supply you enough material to template your boat once we confirm your order.

Q. How warm does it need to be to install PlasDECK E-Series?
A. The Bostik adhesive needs a minimum ambient temperature of 60˚F to 65˚F for 24-36 hours to cure properly. The adhesive and the PlasDECK E-Series material is easiest to work with between 70˚ F and 85˚F.

Q. Will you come to my boat for an installation?
A. YES! That’s what we do best. We cover the entire East Coast and beyond. Our craftsmen are clean, courteous, trustworthy and fully insured.

Q. Can I bring my boat to you?
A. We do not have secure facilities to store customer boats. We can accept boats under 21’ in our work shop on a limited basis.

Q. How long will it take to get my PlasDECK E-Series?
A. Raw materials are readily available and ship within a day or two. Pre-Assembled panels are made to order and lead times depend on the schedule of our production shop. Please contact us to discuss current lead times.

Q. When can I get a full custom installation?
A. Our travel schedule is dictated heavily by the weather and climate. Typically we travel south from NC between Oct. and April. We start going North of NC around late April through the summer. Our schedule for custom installations is usually booked 3-4 months in advance. Please contact us to inquire about our current travel schedule.

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