FRP Grating vs Wood Decking for Marinas and Boardwalks
Timber is the traditional marina and boardwalk surface, and it is pleasant — for the 8–10 years it lasts in salt service. The comparison from there:
| Factor | Timber decking | FRP grating |
|---|---|---|
| Service life (salt splash) | 8–10 yrs typical | 20–30 yrs |
| Failure mode | Rot at fasteners, splinters, board pop | None structural; grit wear is renewable |
| Slip when wet | Weakens with algae film | Grit surface 0.7+ COF wet |
| Drainage | Decked surface — puddles between boards | Open mesh drains through |
| Chemical treatments | Preservative leachate — permit issue in reserves | Inert; no leachate |
| Maintenance | Annual board checks, fastener replacement | Visual inspection, wash |
| 20-year cost (installed) | 2–3 × first cost (re-deck at least once) | 1 × first cost |
Where wood still wins
Freshwater, low-traffic private docks with shade and a maintenance budget — and where the aesthetics of timber are the point, a hardwood deck with a real maintenance budget is a legitimate choice. What rarely survives analysis is pressure-treated pine in a salt-splash public setting: it is the cheapest year-one deck and the most expensive 20-year deck.
The hybrid pattern
Many marina rebuilds now specify FRP grating on the traffic and service areas (walkways, fuel dock, service piers) and retain timber only where the operator specifically wants the look — typically the decorative portions of a boardwalk with public budget behind it.