Anella Alcott Richard Strauss, president of deck builder TDS discusses the shift in market demand for decking materials with Aaron Porter.
A flawless laid teak deck has long defined the aspirational expectations for yacht owners, but scarcity of the hard, rot-resistant tropical wood and shifts in aesthetic sensibilities and a market for weight-sensitive designs have led naval architects, boatbuilders, and refit yards to explore alternative natural-fiber decking options that still look elegant and feel good under your feet.
Join Editor Aaron Porter for a conversation with Teakdecking Systems President Richard Strauss; Xavier Ardevol, founder of alternative wood decking provider TMT Marine; and Udo Kleinitz from cork decking manufacturer Navicork. During their discussion in Amsterdam last November they compared material characteristics, installation techniques, and maintenance needs for some hardened wood and cork deck materials that saw a spike in interest from builders at the latest IBEX and Metstrade shows.
