A sturdy revetment is crucial for protecting your bank against erosion and subsidence. At Houthandel Jan Sok we are asked every day: should I choose traditional wooden sheet piling or should I go for a modern plastic sheet piling such as Prolock? The answer depends on your situation, budget and future plans. In this article we share our practical experience and help you make a choice that will still be right not only today, but also in 20 years from now.
What exactly does shoring do?
Revetment prevents soil from washing away along water edges. Without proper protection, a bank can slowly become unstable, resulting in damage to gardens, plots or infrastructure. The most commonly chosen solutions are:
- Wooden revetment - hardwood (Azobé/Okan) or impregnated wood. View our hardwood sheet piling range.
- Plastic sheet pile wall - like it Prolock Sigma system.
Both materials have their own applications and benefits.
Wooden revetment: familiar and natural
As a timber trade, we know better than anyone how versatile wood is. Wooden cladding has been used for years and remains popular, especially in private gardens. However, the lifespan varies greatly per type of wood: impregnated soft wood lasts 10–15 years, while hardwood such as Azobe or Okan 25–40 lasts for years - even in permanent water contact.
Benefits of wood
- Natural, warm appearance
- Relatively low purchase price (especially impregnated wood)
- Flexible and easy to customize
- Suitable for customized solutions
Disadvantages of wood
- Lifespan strongly depends on the type of wood: 10–15 years (impregnated) to 25–40 years (hardwood)
- Soft wood is sensitive to rot and moisture
- Regular maintenance is required, especially with soft wood
- Quality and lifespan vary with wood type and origin
In practice we see that wood is mainly chosen when appearance and budget are decisive. For smaller projects or temporary solutions, soft wood is often a great choice; Professionals often opt for permanent bank protection hardwood sheet piling (Azobé & Okan, TLV certified).
Plastic sheet piling (Prolock): modern and durable
More and more customers of Houthandel Jan Sok are choosing plastic sheet piles, especially the... Prolock Sigma system. This type of revetment has been developed for long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance requirements.
Advantages of Prolock plastic sheet piling
- Lifespan from 30 to 50 years or more
- Completely resistant to rot, mold and insects
- Maintenance-free
- Made from recycled plastic
- Very dimensionally stable and strong
Disadvantages
- Higher investment when purchasing than soft wood
- Installation requires accuracy or expertise
For business applications, larger projects and customers who want to invest " one time, Prolock is often the most chosen solution. View the complete Prolock guide for construction, accessories and placement, or the range of plastic sheeting.
Lifespan and total costs (Total Cost of Ownership)
An important difference is in the Total Cost of Ownership.
- Wooden cladding made of soft wood must be replaced on average 2 to 3 times within 30–40 years; hardwood usually lasts the entire period.
- Prolock plastic sheet piling often lasts the entire period without replacement.
Although soft wood seems cheaper to purchase, the total long-term investment is often higher due to maintenance and replacement. At Houthandel Jan Sok we therefore always advise you to look further than just the initial price. Read the detailed cost structure What does Prolock sheeting cost per meter?.
Maintenance in practice
Maintenance is a deciding factor for many customers.
Wood
- Regular inspection necessary
- Risk of replacing parts, especially with soft wood
- Moisture treatment may be necessary
Prolock plastic
- No maintenance required
- Visual inspection only
- No attack by water or micro-organisms
This is often the reason for entrepreneurs and busy private individuals to choose plastic. More about this Prolock maintenance and service life.
Application: when do you choose what?
Based on our experience we recommend:
Choose wood if:
- You find a natural appearance important
- The project is small-scale
- Budget is leading
- You don't find maintenance a problem
Choose Prolock plastic sheet pile if:
- You are looking for a sustainable, long-term solution
- Maintenance should be minimal
- You invest in a business park or larger bank
- You want certainty about lifespan and quality
Practical experience of Houthandel Jan Sok
We supply and advise on a daily basis about sheet piling solutions in various situations: from private gardens to large-scale projects. What we see: wood remains popular for garden projects, plastic (such as Prolock) is growing rapidly in both private and business use, and customers are increasingly opting for low-maintenance solutions. Thanks to our experience with both materials, we can honestly advise what best suits your situation, without standard solutions.
Get started right away
Whichever route you choose, you will find the materials at Houthandel Jan Sok:
- Prolock Sigma plastic sheet pile 50×300 cm - maintenance-free bank protection.
- Prolock Sigma cover plate 6,00 m - maintenance-free top finish.
- Blank round post Ø10 cm (3,00 m) - foundation pile for Prolock.
- Hardwood sheet pile 40 mm - height 200 cm (Azobé & Okan) for natural, heavily loaded shoring.
- Hardwood sheet pile 50 mm - height 300 cm (Azobé & Okan) for higher or heavier banks.
- View all sheet piling systems or it hardwood range.
Ready for your project? Request a customized quote or please contact us with our specialists - you will receive practical advice based on years of experience in wood and sheet piling.