Choosing between 34 mil vs 80 mil vinyl flooring comes down to the deck under it. Both are MariDeck sheets with the same embossed, non-slip surface. However, they differ in thickness, and that decides which decks they suit.
What does mil mean?
A mil is one thousandth of an inch. Therefore, 34 mil vinyl is 0.034 inches thick, and 80 mil vinyl is 0.080 inches thick. In other words, 80 mil is more than twice as thick as 34 mil.
34 mil vs 80 mil vinyl flooring at a glance
| 34 mil | 80 mil | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.034 inches | 0.080 inches |
| Best for | New plywood, aluminum and fiberglass | Any surface, including older wood floors |
| Worn or uneven decks | Shows imperfections | Covers nicks, dents and low spots |
| Widths | 6 ft or 8.5 ft, depending on the color | 8.5 ft |
| Colors | 11 | 6 |
When to choose 34 mil vinyl flooring
Choose 34 mil when the deck is smooth and flat, with no dips or valleys. Because it is thin and flexible, it shows the imperfections in an older wood floor. As a result, it works best on new marine plywood, aluminum and fiberglass.
It also gives you the most choice. For example, it comes in 11 colors, and some of them come 6 ft wide for aluminum fishing boats.
When to choose 80 mil vinyl flooring
Choose 80 mil when the deck is not perfect. Because of the extra thickness, it covers the nicks, dents and valleys left by age or sanding. As a result, an older wood floor still finishes clean. It comes 8.5 ft wide in 6 colors, so it is a strong fit for pontoons and older boats with wooden floors.
Do you want a woven look instead? MariDeck woven flooring is also 80 mil thick, so it suits a used deck too.
What 34 mil and 80 mil have in common
- An embossed, non-slip texture
- UV stabilizers that resist fading
- Exterior-grade polymer construction
- Cleanup with a hose
- Shipping directly from the factory
In addition, both suit freshwater and saltwater boats.
Which adhesive to use
The adhesive depends on the deck surface, not on the thickness. Therefore, use MD-101 on unsealed plywood, or MD-102 on aluminum, fiberglass and sealed wood. MariDeck recommends its own adhesive. If you use a different one, it must be PVC-compatible, or it can affect how the vinyl looks, bonds and performs.
The short answer on 34 mil vs 80 mil vinyl flooring
If your deck is new and flat, 34 mil will do the job. However, if you are re-covering an older floor, choose 80 mil instead. Whichever you pick, our guide to cleaning and care for marine vinyl flooring shows how to keep it looking new. In addition, we offer free shipping on all orders over $75.
A third-generation family business
BoatVinyl.com is run by a third-generation family business. Our company started in 1947 in the auto industry, and our family’s boating roots go back to the 1950s, when my wife’s grandfather built boats.
