Other Hardwoods
There are other woods besides teak that have similar weather-resistant qualities like; cedar, cypress, shorea, and redwood. However, they do not have the same iconic maritime look as teak. Some of these other woods are also very expensive and hard to source.
Marine-Grade Plywood
Plywood has been one of the most common building materials used in marine projects since the 1950s. Plywood is popular because it is strong and relatively inexpensive. Ironically marine plywood is not waterproof and will rot if exposed to water. Marine plywood’s inability to resist water has driven the demand for better, longer-lasting marine-grade building materials like coosa board and starboard.
Coosa Board
You may or may not have heard of the Coosa board already, but to make sure you are clued up about it, we are going to explain what it is as well as the pros and cons of using it.
Coosa Board is a specially designed high-density polyurethane foam that has reinforced fiberglass layers. The idea behind its inception is that you get a building material for boats that is superior to plywood in terms of its rigidity, and longevity but more lightweight.
Pros of Coosa Board
- Easy to fabricate with standard tools
- 30 to 40% lighter than marine plywood
- Does not require any special maintenance or cleaning
- Easy to laminate
- Highly water, rot, mold, mildew, and pest resistant
King Starboard
King Starboard is another alternative to teak and plywood that has become something of a standard within the marine sector. It utilizes high-density polyethylene to create a super versatile weatherproof building material. The ease of fabrication and longevity of starboard make it a common material for replacement teak wood parts.
Some vendors categorize starboard as marine lumber, however, starboard has no wood or natural components. Therefore, it’s only appropriate for starboard to be considered a plastic sheet material, not marine lumber.
Pros of Starboard
- Extremely robust material and impervious to discoloring and rot
- Easy to fabricate with standard woodworking tools
- Does not require any special maintenance or cleaning
- Matte finish does not need to be laminated or polished after it has been installed