Please send your questions and comments by email to clientes@tecatek.es where we will do our best to offer answers.
Q. Will a synthetic teak deck get hot?
A. Sorry but this is a long reply to the most frequently asked question.
Your question about heat is a topic about which much has been written on in the Internet. There are many claims but very few facts that are not biased by the commercial interests of the writers. The only technical appraisal that I have seen claims "synthetic" teak gets 1 degree hotter than new Teca Burmania.
The undeniable fact is that any material with a high density and a darker colour will absorb heat so it may be necessary to wear Deck or Swimming shoes during the hottest days of Summer. The darker the colour the greater the heat gain regardless of whether it is coloured Gel Coat or a Synthetic Deck Covering. Sand on the beach and tiles around a swimming pool also get hot with the degree of heat depending on the colour and density of the material.
The fact that synthetic teak has been used for many years and is increasingly being used (30000 + M2 a year according to published information) in both commercial and recreational boats world wide shows an ever growing acceptance of synthetic decking materials.
Yes, synthetic teaks do get hotter than a white deck but the issue of heat is of less importance for many sailors in all parts of the world when all the other benefits such a minimum maintenance, excellent non slip characteristics and easy cleaning are taken into account.
What can be done to minimize the temperature gain with synthetic teak? First to make it a lighter colour and if acceptable to change the Caulking lines from black, which gets very hot to a cream colour which remains relatively cool.
Having listened to our many clients Teca Tek are now offering a lighter coloured Synthetic Teak that still looks like wood with the option of black or the even cooler cream caulking lines. Ask us for a sample.
Q. What cleaning and maintenance is required?
A. Please see page for Care and Maintenance but whatever you do please don’t use any of the many products that fill the shelves of nautical shops for the maintenance of Teak.
Although it may not be necessary we recommend that every 2 to 3 years you spend an hour or so giving your Teca Tek deck a sanding to refresh the colour and texture of the surface. Use a sanding block and 40 grit aluminium oxide sanding paper which we will be pleased to send to you free of charge. Sand in the direction of the caulking lines and never use a Power Sander.
Q. I have seen on the Internet that several of the suppliers of Synthetic Teak Decking are being taken to court for the infringement of one or more Patents held by Flexiteek especially in the USA and Australasia. Will this be the same in Europe?
A. We are aware of this issue having seen on the Internet that Plasteak Inc/Plasdeck Inc and Nuteak (Tek-Dek Ltd) are being or have been taken to court in the USA.
