How to Cover Marine Vinyl Flooring

Lay down a large, wall-to-wall throw rug over the vinyl flooring. Use a rubber traction mat under the rug to keep it in place. A rug is easily rolled up when you aren't using it or want to clean underneath, making it a flexible option to cover vinyl flooring. You can also find exterior-grade rugs for outdoor locations, such as boat decks. Narrow rugs will fit small spaces, such as alleys or halls.

Paint the flooring using either oil-based or epoxy primer and paint. Oil-based and epoxy paint are more durable than latex paint in areas where there is foot traffic and they are more resistant to humidity and moisture. You can apply these paints using a paint roller or bristle paintbrush. Oil paint takes longer to dry than latex or epoxy paint. Vary the look by adding texture or stenciling patterns to the flooring. You can create tile-like shapes on the flooring by using painter's tape to create a grid.

Cover the flooring in decking squares. These squares lock together and sit a bit above the flooring but the wood give a natural look to the area. They have a plastic grid on the bottom of each tile that keeps the actual wood off the vinyl. The tiles connect only to each other and do not need to be secured to the floor or walls. You can cut them to fit using a jigsaw and beveling the edges with a file. The tiles are usually 1-foot square and come in different types of wood. You can even stain them to suit your decor. These tiles easily come apart to move them or clean underneath.

Install self-draining, interlocking tiles over the vinyl flooring. These tiles click together, or are pounded together with a mallet, are mildew resistant and non-slip. These tiles have pegs on the bottom so any excess water will run underneath the tiles. They are not attached to the floor or walls and can be cut with scissors or a utility knife to fit a deck or room. These tiles are available in many colors from subtle to bright hues. You can unlock and move or store them if desired.