Duckboards

Asterix

Free Member
Posts
2,949
Likes
3,727
I want to make a duckboard to put in my shower tray but I'm not sure which timber is best for a watery situation or even if there's another material I could use. Ideally it needs to be lightweight and not splinter easily. Any ones have any ideas or done the same?
 
Sounds a bad idea to me. You could crack the tray.

We use a rubber shower mat.
 
Sounds a bad idea to me. You could crack the tray.

We use a rubber shower mat.

The tray has a step around the edge which should take the weight plus I will put a few rails across the bottom to support the centre,the problem I have is that my porta loo has to sit in the tray,by adding a duckboard it will enable me to push it into the corner,flush with the top edge of the tray,and freeing up valuable space,while also keeping my tootsies out of the water!!😀
 
You could use ramin which is easily available & usually cut into handy strips & sold in 2-3 mtr lengths, ideal for a duck board. It mainly comes from Malaysian jungles, felled & stored in ponds prior to shipping.
 
yacht decks don't seem to splinter

They do say the first thought is usually the correct one,I suppose it's all down to the level of finish,think I'll go with that but thought it worth asking just in case there was a better alternative,thank you.
 
You could use ramin which is easily available & usually cut into handy strips & sold in 2-3 mtr lengths, ideal for a duck board. It mainly comes from Malaysian jungles, felled & stored in ponds prior to shipping.


Missed this reply,can't say I've ever heard of it,will investigate...thanks!
 
B&Q, Wickes etc all sell ramin in the mouldings & strip wood section. Dowelling is mostly ramin.
 
Last edited:
I asked similar question many moons ago and was advised not a good idea for hygenic reason ??? with an example given of the army having removed them. I now just use a shower mat which is ok but must admit preferred duck board. Can't advise on what wood to use.
 
I asked similar question many moons ago and was advised not a good idea for hygenic reason ??? with an example given of the army having removed them. I now just use a shower mat which is ok but must admit preferred duck board. Can't advise on what wood to use.


I can see the hygene argument but lifting and cleaning occasionally should keep things reasonably clean,and its only me,I won't be inviting the army over to share it!😁
 
The OEM wooden duckboard supplied in our 2011 Rapido is plywood around 12mm thick.

It has been treated/sealed by the supplier. The finish is quite darker than normal ply but just has a natural appearance so looks nothing like a varnish but more like a wood preserver. Don't really know what they used.

I guess it must be a good quality type of Marine ply as there is no sign of any deteriation at all.

We nearly always only use the MH's own shower and have only used site ones on a couple of occasions. It's not as though it has minimal use.
It's lightly rinsed after each use.
It is taken out after each trip, washed and disinfected.
Up to now it still looks as good as when we bought the MH from new.

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
That was my first thought but I was concerned about splintering?
Agree teak is the best, that's why it is used for decking and handrails on ships etc. My motorhome has wooden duck boards in the shower tray to spread the load. The wood has more of reddish colour but that could be the varnish. I think traditional teak is difficult to get hold of but there are many varietes of teak.If you have a good local timber importers they may be able to tell you what is available and if it would be suitable for an occasionally wet environment. I looked at a type of teak planking recently and it was cheaper than the equivalent size in cedar.
 
As many have already commented, teak is in many ways a good option. It is not particularly cheap, but you might be able to obtain offcuts from a small business that does a lot of work in teak. However, it is worth bearing in mind that while teak is used extensively on board yachts, this tends to be in the open air. You may find that in what may be the probably somewhat humid and not particularly well ventilated environs of a "heads" cubicle any timber will remain damp for longer than is desirable. I would suggest at least investigating the possibility of making something up using plastic, as used in the building industry. Many years ago, I replaced a rotting wooden base in a gas bottle locker on a yacht and decided that plastic was the best option; it was still in excellent condition when last seen just over 4 years ago. The plastics can be obtained in various forms (square sections, slats, etcetera) and probably colours - white is common for both buildings and yachts, so I didn't investigate further.

Tom
 
Last edited:
Perspex duckboard?

I have 4x lengths [total 27'] of 5cm x 2cm perspex, the face is opaque, the edges are clear. I had them made for use as a hand rail on a house renovation but didn't use them in the end. There would be no problem with rot, easily drilled & they are very strong. The lengths are drilled every 50cm.

I paid £160 for the lot but I will sell them for £20

P1350115.JPGP1350116.JPGP1350117.JPG
 
Last edited:
I have 4x lengths [total 27'] of 5cm x 2cm perspex, the face is opaque, the edges are clear. I had them made for use as a hand rail on a house renovation but didn't use them in the end. There would be no problem with rot, easily drilled & they are very strong. The lengths are drilled every 50cm.

I paid £160 for the lot but I will sell them for £20

View attachment 33048View attachment 33049View attachment 33050


That looks like a good alternative,no rot or splinters to worry about....I'm willing to bet that you are nowhere near me? I'm currently in Dorset and heading to Kent in a few weeks.
 
If you go via Cheshire then...............

Pity, methinks it would look very contemporary too.
 

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top