Shipboard and shipboard alternative are often confused, since both give a wall that elegant, fluted wood look. But the difference in material and performance is significant, and it determines which one is right for your space. Here is a clear comparison to help you choose.
What Is the Difference?
Shipboard is usually made from wood or compressed wood fibre, giving an authentic wood look but with more sensitivity to moisture and insects. Shipboard alternative is made from WPC or composite materials, delivering the same wood look with far greater resistance to water, humidity, and insects.
The Key Differences
- Material: Shipboard is wood-based; the alternative is a WPC composite.
- Moisture resistance: The alternative clearly wins in humid conditions.
- Insect resistance: The alternative does not attract termites.
- Maintenance: The alternative is easier – a simple wipe, with no re-varnishing.
- Outdoor use: The alternative is better suited to covered exterior walls.
Which Is Better for Your Needs?
- Choose shipboard alternative for: Kitchens, bathrooms, exterior walls, and any area exposed to moisture.
- Choose wooden shipboard for: Dry interior rooms if you specifically prefer natural wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the alternative look like real wood? Yes – realistic wood grains make it look very close to wooden shipboard, but with better performance in our climate.
Need Help Choosing?
The Texa Decor team can help you choose between shipboard and its alternative based on where it will be installed. Before getting in touch, it helps to know whether the wall is interior or exterior, and its exposure to moisture.
Contact us today for a free consultation and a customized quote, or browse the Shipboard Alternative category in the Texa Decor store. You can also reach us directly.
Shipboard vs Shipboard Alternative for Walls
The shipboard alternative has grown popular as homeowners look for the grooved, panelled wall look without the drawbacks of traditional timber shipboard. Classic shipboard is solid or veneered wood arranged in overlapping or tongue-and-groove planks, prized for its natural warmth and texture. It is, however, heavier, more expensive and vulnerable to moisture, warping and termites, which limits where it can safely be used, especially in humid or wet areas of a home.
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For further technical background, see the overview of wood-plastic composite on Wikipedia.
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