What is sheeting? Sheeting, or bank protection, is a wall along a pond, ditch or canal that holds the bank in place. It stops soil from washing into the water and gives the water's edge a clean, lasting line. At Houthandel Jan Sok in Meppel we supply two kinds: Azobe hardwood and Prolock Sigma recycled plastic. Which one suits you depends on the look you want, your budget and how long the sheeting needs to last.
This guide explains what sheeting is and which materials work. We also cover where it is used, hardwood versus plastic, and maintenance.
What sheeting is
Sheeting is a row of boards or panels. Posts driven into the bed of the water hold it in place. The wall stands partly below and partly above the water line and takes the pressure of the soil behind it. Without sheeting, a ditch bank or pond edge slowly washes away and slumps. With it, the edge keeps its shape, the water stays in the ditch or pond, and the soil stays on the bank.
Sheeting is not the same as sheet piling. Sheet piling is a heavier, interlocking wall designed to retain larger height differences and hold back water. Sheeting mainly stabilises the bank.
Materials: hardwood or plastic
Azobe hardwood
Azobe is an African hardwood that needs no treatment outdoors. Under EN 350, its heartwood is rated class 1, the highest class. It can stay in permanent contact with soil and fresh water. Correctly installed Azobe sheeting commonly lasts 25 to 40 years or more, even in water. The timber is heavy, hard and supplied fine-sawn, with documented origin. If you choose hardwood, you choose a natural look that turns grey over the years.
Prolock Sigma plastic
Prolock Sigma is a sheeting system made from recycled plastic. The panels are 50 cm wide and 50 to 300 cm high. So they suit almost any bank. Prolock lasts at least 50 years. Standard sheet-piling systems are commonly specified for 60 years. Fully buried Prolock Delta systems can be rated up to 100 years. The plastic does not rot and needs no treatment. Keep the posts no more than 150 cm apart. That way the system can take the water pressure without bending. We keep around 5000 m² of Prolock in stock in Meppel, so we can supply quickly.
Where sheeting is used
- Ponds and garden ponds — a clean edge and no soil washing into the water.
- Ditches — protection against erosion when the water level rises and falls.
- Canals — longer stretches of even bank protection.
- Private and professional projects — from a single pond edge to long ditch sections for contractors and water boards.
See our sheeting systems range for both hardwood and Prolock.
Pros and cons
Azobe hardwood: a natural look, very high strength and a service life of 25 to 40 years or more in water. On the other hand, it turns grey and is heavy to handle.
Prolock Sigma plastic: at least 50 years with no care, made from recycled plastic, no rot and quick delivery from stock. On the other hand, it has a manufactured look that does not suit every garden.
Still choosing? Read timber for bank protection, the Prolock installation guide and Prolock sheeting.
Maintenance
Azobe sheeting does not need treatment to stay durable, because class 1 applies without impregnation. Untreated, it turns grey, which only affects the look. Clean it now and then, and oil it if you want to keep the warm colour. Prolock Sigma needs no care. Rinsing with water is enough. For both, check the posts and joints once a year. Make sure the line stays straight, and top up soil behind the sheeting where needed.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is sheeting?
Sheeting is bank protection along ponds, ditches and canals. It is a wall of hardwood or plastic that stops the bank from washing away and keeps the edge in shape.
How long does sheeting last?
Correctly installed Azobe sheeting commonly lasts 25 to 40 years or more in permanent water contact. Prolock Sigma lasts at least 50 years with no care. Standard systems are commonly specified for 60 years.
Which is better: hardwood or Prolock plastic?
It depends on what you want. Azobe gives a natural look and lasts 25 to 40 years or more. Prolock needs no maintenance and lasts at least 50 years. Both are suitable for permanent water contact.
What post spacing applies to Prolock sheeting?
For Prolock Sigma the maximum post spacing is 150 cm, so the system can take the water pressure without bending.