Grated Decking: An Environmentally Sound and Durable Option

When you picture a deck or a dock, you probably picture one made from wooden boards. However, wood isn’t your only option for your next deck, dock, or marine construction project. Grated decking is becoming an increasingly popular alternative.

Made from either PVC, PPC, or fiberglass, grated decks and docks are – surprise! – actually more environmentally friendly and durable than their wooden counterparts, enabling flora and fauna to thrive, and recommended by the Army Corps of Engineers. And if you still want the look of wood with the benefits of plastic material, you might also want to consider composite decking.

Why Use Grated Decking?

A wooden deck might have the advantage of its iconic look, but grated decking is the more functional option of the two. Here are a few reasons to consider using grated decking for your next residential or commercial marine construction project.

Environmentally Friendly

While you might assume that wood is the more eco-friendly choice because it’s made from natural materials, this is not the case. Wood needs to be chemically sealed to keep water out and prevent rotting. Leaching from chemically treated wood can be harmful to the surrounding marine environment. Wood also blocks sunlight, cutting off any aquatic plants underneath from their primary source of food.

Grated docks allow enough sunlight to penetrate through so that the seagrasses underneath can grow. Grated docks are also made from naturally water-resistant PVC, so they won’t leach chemicals into the water.

Water Resistant

Because it’s made from 100% plastic (often recycled plastic), grated decking will not rot due to water exposure. Not only does this mean a grated deck or dock will last longer, but you also won’t have to maintain it like a wooden deck.

Durability

If you want a dock that truly stands the test of time, a grated dock offers maximum durability. In addition to being water- and fade-resistant, grated decking easily withstands harsh marine weather conditions.

Because wooden docks float, constant pressure is put on the stainless steel fasteners that keep them secure. During a storm, surging waves push up against the dock, creating even more pressure. Over time, this can damage both the dock and the supporting fasteners. Like most things made of holes, grated docks enable water to run through. This keeps them from being damaged when the water gets rough.

Safe & Accessible

Grated decking is surprisingly kind to bare feet. While all-plastic decks are among the hottest types of solid decking, they become much cooler and more feet-friendly in grated form.

The unique texture of a grated deck also makes it more slip-resistant than solid wood or PVC. Rain falls harmlessly through the gaps, creating a non-skid surface that’s safe for kids and allows for easy boat entry. In cooler climates, you won’t have to deal with ice or snow buildup.

Lightweight

Compared to natural wood, grated decks made from plastic are far lighter decking options—60 % to 75% lighter! This makes them much easier and less expensive to install and remove. Because water can flow through, grated dock platforms are easier to lift in and out of the water.

Easy Installation

Grated dock panels fit together like a puzzle, with interlocking tabs and slotted mounting holes that make installation quick and easy. Their light weight makes it possible for homeowners to install grated decking without professional help.

Virtually Maintenance-free

As we’ve already mentioned, grated decks and docks are resistant to water damage—this means you will never have to seal or reseal them. Both grated and non-grated PVC decking are often UV stabilized, meaning that decks made from this material also resist fading caused by sun exposure.

This no-maintenance marine construction solution benefits commercial builders looking to minimize long-term expenses.

Color & Design Options

You can’t beat the rich and warm hues of a natural hardwood-like ipe, but grated decking still offers a solid variety of color options. Most brands offer white, tan, and gray. You can also select the grate pattern of your dock. Popular patterns include chevron, straight, and x-shaped designs.

The Cons of Grated Decking

The pros of grated decking solutions far outweigh the cons, but there are still a few things you’ll want to consider. Because this decking lets light through, it’s possible to drop small items through the grates depending on their size. Small keys, fishing lures, and jewelry can all be swallowed by the sea if you aren’t careful!

Is Grated Decking Right for Your Project?

You really can’t go wrong with grated decking for your project. Whether you’re building a commercial marina or a dock for your vacation lake house, grated decking is the most superior option available, especially for areas prone to the following:

• Extreme weather
• High heat
• Powerful storms
• Storm surges

These decks are easy to install, durable, and safe. Not to mention, they look great in any setting!

While it’s tempting to want a classical wooden dock, there are far better options these days. Sure, wood may have been the go-to product for years, but thanks to modern engineering, you can have a dock that will last longer, require less maintenance, and be much more durable than wood. That’s where grated decking comes in.

The Benefits of Choosing ThruFlow Grated Decking

There’s no doubt that ThruFlow is an industry-leading company that offers some of the best dock and decking surface solutions for boardwalks and marinas. Here’s why we think ThruFlow likely provides the best deck material for your project.

Durable

ThruFlow grated decking is available in various materials, but fiberglass deck grating and plastic grate decking are the most common. Both plastic and fiberglass grating are some of the most durable materials for docks and decking.

ThruFlow’s grated decking is ideal for saltwater environments because it’s corrosion-resistant and not susceptible to damage from marine borers or other pesky saltwater organisms. This decking is also undoubtedly strong enough to hold power pedestals.

However, although ThruFlow decking is excellent for saltwater conditions, it’s also one of the most durable materials for freshwater environments.

Plus, because of the open design, which allows water, dirt, and debris to pass through, ThruFlow decking materials withstand storms better than competitors.

However, despite their durability, you should still inspect the dock for repairs at least yearly. Should there be a category five hurricane or other disastrous event, you want to be cautious and ensure there’s no damage. While these docks are durable, they are not indestructible.

Maintenance Free

ThruFlow grated decking panels are maintenance-free. You don’t have to worry about any measures you’d need to take with a wooden dock.

For example, you’ll never need to sand, stain, or seal a grated decking dock. With a wood dock, you may need to do this yearly, or at least every few years, to keep the dock in good condition.

You also won’t need to take preventative measures to check for rot or decay. Grated decking is highly resistant to mold and mildew. It even holds up against rust!

Now, this doesn’t mean you should never clean your dock. An occasional power wash is helpful, especially if the dock becomes dirty from a storm. But you don’t need to worry about conducting regular maintenance on a grated decking dock.

Heat Resistant & Non-Slip

Because ThruFlow decking is UV-resistant, the dock is also heat-resistant. Walking on the dock barefoot is safe and will not cause burns. You can even sit and sunbathe on the dock without feeling like your skin is on fire underneath you!

Plus, ThruFlow docks have a non-slip surface. Even when wet, you will not slip and slide while walking on the pier. On a wood dock, it’s easy to slip and fall, causing injury or death, especially if someone who cannot swim slips and falls into the water.

TrueFlow’s slip-resistant surface is so superior that it has a higher accessibility rating than most other deck materials! In fact, ThruFlow polypropylene materials, like those used in the Impact panels, exceed ADA requirements, which is more than competitors like Sunwalk can say.

Plus, the Modular Access QRamp System is the safest modular ramp available on the market. It uses powder-coated aluminum to create an attractive and safe ramp for all. This design allows ThruFlow decks to be accessible for various needs and applications.

Eco-Friendly

When docks cover the water, they block sunlight exposure to the plants and organisms below them. This is damaging to these organisms, which rely on sunlight to survive. Yet, most never consider the ecological impact of installing a deck, dock, or walkway in a marine environment.

Luckily, ThruFlow’s products use some of the best green decking materials available. The dock holes allow 50% of sunlight to pass through and provide vital nutrients to the organisms below.

This is a revolutionary concept! ThruFlow is among the first companies to recognize the importance of protecting aquatic life. The company has worked hard to combine durability, safety, and environmental consciousness.

Easy to Install

ThruFlow residential deck grating comes with a short, easy-to-follow installation guide. The idea behind the design is that anyone, even those with minimal experience, can install this grated decking system.

The instructions are a mere four steps, further proving just how simple the installation is. There are even photos showing examples of incorrect installation should you accidentally do something wrong during the process.

Additionally, you don’t need to worry about pre-drilling any holes, and the guide provides recommendations on which stainless steel screws to use.

There couldn’t be an easier way to install an entire docking system without the guidance of a professional!

Lifetime Warranty

ThruFlow is confident in its product design and quality, so much so that it offers the ThruFlow Lifetime Limited Warranty to all customers. The warranty covers the following:

• Material defects in workmanship and materials
  • Those that occur during the manufacturing process
  • Those that arise under regular use and service
  • Those that result in blistering, cracking, cupping, peeling, rotting, or splitting
  • Those that result in structural defects from fungal or termite decay
• Rot, decay, and termite damage

Notably, the warranty does not include color fading and fiberglass exposure from the natural weathering process.

If you purchase ThruFlow grated decking panels and fail to meet your expectations, you can contact ThruFlow directly for assistance.

Explore a Variety of Marine Construction Solutions

Every marine construction project is unique. A large-scale industrial dock will require a different approach than a recreational deck for family gatherings. At Decks & Docks Lumber Co., we’ve provided marine-grade materials for countless projects of all shapes and sizes.

So, whether you plan on using grated PVC, lumber, or composite wood, you can find the hardware and accessories you need to bring your project to life. If you’re ready to shop now, explore our shop, The Deck Store, create a shopping cart, and checkout with the materials you need! Or call us today to learn more about our marine construction solutions!