Treadmill Cover Information: Treadmill Covers Materials and Warranty

The treadmill deck is the material that forms the hard surface you run on. In other words, it is the support surface. This article distinguishes the deck from the tread, which is the band that moves along the deck.

Important

Treadmill manufacturers don’t provide much information about the actual construction materials for their decks. These days most treadmills, especially if priced over $1,000, are built with decently strong tread covers (usually medium density fiberboard with a duo phenolic coating, all discussed in detail). then).

However, strength is not the be all and end all. If strength were the most important thing, more treadmill manufacturers would use metal. Metal is used, but not extensively.

What are the roof construction goals?

Like I said earlier, if strength were the only goal, metal or steel decks would rule the day. But strength is not the only goal. Quality covers must:

• Be strong
• be sustainable
• Have some give (ie slightly flexible, but not bouncy)
• Minimize noise (i.e. mute noise if possible)
• Have a smooth surface to minimize tread friction

What materials are used?

You’ll often see references to solid wood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and metal as materials used for treadmill decks. For coating, you’ll typically read about phenolic coating. The article explains these different materials.

Materials

1. Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)

MDF is created by breaking down wood into fibers (sawdust) and then forming the fibers into a solid treadmill deck with wax and resin. Typical thickness is 3/4″ to 1″. You can read more about MDF here.

MDF is the predominant material used for treadmill decks.

2. Solid wood

The deck is made of 3/4″ to 1″ solid wood. The problem with solid wood is that it’s hard to find a piece of wood that’s perfect. The MDF, although it is not perfect either, ensures a consistency that is difficult to find with solid wood.

Particleboard: Particleboard is not the same as MDF. Particle board is not fiber based. It is a solid wood composite product. The result is that particle board is much weaker than MDF. MDF is denser and stronger.

Avoid treadmills with decks that use particle board. You’ll be lucky to get a year out of it.

3. Metallic

Metal countertops are not as prevalent as solid wood or MDF countertops. It is heavy and does not create as “smooth” a surface as wood or MDF. Running on metal or steel just isn’t as enjoyable as on solid wood or MDF.

What material do I recommend?

Double or triple skinned MDF top with phenolic resin coating.

the coating

Some treadmills are coated on both sides (double-coated, sometimes also referred to as triple-coated), while lesser-quality treadmills coat only 1 side of the treadmill deck. The best cover is coated on both sides, which helps reduce warping. It is also better for reducing friction with the tread deck throughout the entire area of ​​the surface that the tread runs on.

The best material used for lining:

Phenolic: This is the best coating material. You’ll pay more for phenolic siding, but it’s worth it.

What is phenolic resin coating?

The phenolic resin coating is a plastic resin. When a treadmill deck is coated with phenolic resin, it is not necessary to wax the wooden deck.

Can you build your own if your original deck breaks?

Yes, but it’s not advisable unless you really know what you’re doing. Simply hitting a sheet of plywood or MDF won’t do it. The deck must be properly coated and ensure that it adheres securely to the treadmill.

The last thing you want is for your deck to break while running or walking.

This is why it is important to have a lifetime warranty on your treadmill deck. Covers often break or crack (especially with low-priced treadmills).

Cover Considerations

replacement frequency

The range in the number of hours of use that treadmills are good for is staggering. Some low-end treadmill decks are designed for 500 hours, while others guarantee their decks for life. Naturally, the intensity of use and the weight of the users will affect the life of a treadmill deck.

Is it reversible?

Some treadmill manufacturers make reversible tread covers so you can get more mileage out of them.

Is the reversible good?

It depends. Some manufacturers make treadmill decks that are guaranteed for life without investing. Others don’t come with a lifetime warranty and cannot be reversed. These may have the shortest shelf life. Then there are treadmills with reversible decks that theoretically double the life of the treadmill deck.

the guarantee

Ideally, the treadmill you buy will have a lifetime warranty on the deck. This is indicative that the manufacturer stands behind the deck, and should the deck fail, you will get a replacement.

cushioning technology

Cushioning technology is great these days. Treadmill cushioning technology includes the amount, type, and quality of cushioning on the treadmill.