GRP Flooring & Decking for Marina & Water Sport Facilities

With our vast coastline, Australia is a haven for recreational boating, sailing, and yachting, as well as to businesses offering fantastic facilities for boat storage, repair, and servicing.

As experts in the marine and leisure industry, we recognise that marinas and boatyards require regular maintenance and repairs due to their exposure to harsh environmental conditions and the heavy use they receive from boats and vessels.

Weather events can cause damage to docks, piers, breakwaters, and other structures, whilst the wood, metal, and concrete used in marinas are all susceptible to water-related damage, such as rot, rust, and erosion thanks to their constant exposure to water.

By staying proactive and following best practices for marina maintenance, operators in Australia and New Zealand can minimise the need for extensive repairs and ensure the safety and longevity of the facilities.

GRP (Glass-Reinforced Polymer) grating walkways are an excellent product for marinas due to their corrosion resistance, durability, excellent impact resistance and exceptional traction on walkways subject to tidal inclines, our grating is the right choice for your marine environment. And if protecting your precious marine life is important to you, our grating provides additional light transmittance to support all forms of life.

For the best longevity, we recommend the use of GRP grating made from isophthalic resin – a type of polyester resin that is commonly used in marine applications due to its specific properties which include:

• Excellent resistance to corrosion from exposure to saltwater to help protect the structural integrity of marine components, ensuring they remain durable and reliable. The resin is resistant to a variety of chemicals commonly encountered in marine environments, such as fuels, oils, and cleaning agents.
• Low water absorption, meaning the GRP grating does not readily absorb moisture from the surrounding environment. This helps prevent the warping and weakening over time that’s so common with timber walkways.
• Good resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. This UV resistance helps prevent degradation and colour fading of the composite materials, extending their lifespan.
• Isophthalic resin can handle a wide range of temperatures and has high strength and stiffness. It’s mechanical properties make it ideal for constructing marine components that need to withstand harsh conditions including wave impacts and rough weather.

While isophthalic resin has many advantages for marine applications, you should ensure that the specific requirements of each project are considered when selecting your marina walkway materials as some applications might require even more specialised resins or composite materials to meet specific performance criteria. Most reputable suppliers should be able to provide up to date chemical resistance and datasheets to help you make an informed decision.