A sturdy bank wall is key for guarding your bank against wash-out and sink. At Jan Sok we are asked each day. Should I choose wood sheeting or go for plastic sheeting such as Prolock? The answer depends on your site, budget and future plans. In this piece we share our yard notes. We help you make a choice that will still be right in 20 years.
What does sheeting do?
Sheeting stops soil from washing away along water edges. Without proper cover, a bank can slowly become weak. That can harm gardens, plots or roads. The most chosen options are:
- Wood sheeting - hardwood (Azobe or Okan) or treated wood. View our hardwood sheet piling range.
- Plastic sheet pile wall - like the Prolock Sigma system.
Both kinds have their own uses and pluses.
Wood sheeting: known and from nature
As a timber yard, we know how widely wood can be used. Wood sheeting has been used for years and stays liked, above all in home gardens. The life span varies a lot per kind of timber. Treated soft wood lasts 10-15 years. Hardwood such as Azobe or Okan lasts 25-40 years. That holds even in lasting water contact.
Pluses of wood
- Wood look and a warm face.
- Fairly low buy price (above all treated wood).
- Easy to cut to size.
- Right for custom jobs.
Drawbacks of wood
- Life span depends on the kind: 10-15 years (treated) to 25-40 years (hardwood).
- Soft wood is open to rot and damp.
- Regular upkeep is needed, above all with soft wood.
- Quality and life span vary with kind and origin.
In the yard we see that wood is mainly chosen when look and budget lead. For smaller jobs or short term walls, soft wood is often a fine choice. Trade often opts for lasting bank cover with hardwood sheet piling (Azobe and Okan, herkomst mark).
Plastic sheet piling (Prolock): modern and lasting
More and more buyers at Jan Sok are choosing plastic sheet piles, above all the Prolock Sigma system. This type of sheeting has been built for long performance with little upkeep.
Pluses of Prolock plastic sheet piling
- Life span from 30 to 50 years or more.
- Fully resists rot, mould and insects.
- Needs no upkeep.
- Made from reused plastic.
- Very stable and strong.
Drawbacks
- Higher outlay at buy than soft wood.
- Install needs care or skill.
For trade uses and larger projects, Prolock is often the most chosen option. The same goes for buyers who want to invest one time. View the full Prolock guide for build, extras and place, or the range of plastic sheeting.
Life span and full costs
A key gap sits in the full cost over time.
- Wood sheeting from soft wood must be swapped on average 2 to 3 times within 30-40 years. Hardwood usually lasts the whole span.
- Prolock plastic sheet piling often lasts the whole span with no swap.
Soft wood seems cheaper at buy. The full long-term outlay is often higher due to upkeep and swap. At Jan Sok we therefore always say to look further than just the first price. Read the detailed cost make-up in What does Prolock sheeting cost per metre?.
Upkeep in the yard
Upkeep is a deciding fact for many buyers.
Wood
- Regular check is needed.
- Risk of swapping parts, above all with soft wood.
- Damp treatment may be needed.
Prolock plastic
- No upkeep needed.
- Visual check only.
- No attack by water or tiny life.
This is often the reason for trade and busy home users to choose plastic. More about this in Prolock upkeep and life span.
Use: when do you choose what?
Based on our notes we say:
Choose wood if:
- You find a wood look important.
- The project is small.
- Budget leads.
- You do not mind upkeep.
Choose Prolock plastic sheet pile if:
- You want a lasting, long-term option.
- Upkeep should be low.
- You invest in a trade park or a larger bank.
- You want certainty about life span and quality.
Yard notes from Jan Sok
We supply and advise each day about sheet piling in many settings. That runs from home gardens to large projects. What we see: wood stays liked for garden jobs. Plastic (such as Prolock) is growing fast in both home and trade use. Buyers more and more opt for low-upkeep options. Thanks to our notes with both kinds, we can give honest help that fits your site, with no standard pack.
Get started right away
Which path you choose, you will find the timber at Jan Sok:
- Prolock Sigma plastic sheet pile 50×300 cm - bank cover with no upkeep.
- Prolock Sigma cover plate 6,00 m - top finish with no upkeep.
- Blank round post Ø10 cm (3,00 m) - base pile for Prolock.
- Hardwood sheet pile 40 mm - height 200 cm (Azobe and Okan) for wood look and heavy load.
- Hardwood sheet pile 50 mm - height 300 cm (Azobe and Okan) for higher or heavier banks.
- View all sheet piling systems or the hardwood range.
Ready for your project? Request a custom quote or please contact us with our staff - you get working notes based on years in wood and sheet piling.