a method of manufacturing a ship deck and a prefabricated ship deck element for manufacturing the ship deck . the ship deck comprises a surface layer with an exposed upper side , e . g . of teak , being supported upon a carcase existent in the ship and having a surface that has protruding irregularities . the prefabricated ship deck element comprises said surface layer and an underlying layer of cellular plastic , and is applied upon the carcase by attaching the free lower surface of the cellular plastic layer to the carcase , such that the irregularities occurring on the surface of the carcase sink into the cellular plastic and the exposed surface layer remains essentially unaffected by said irregularities . in this way , a great surface finish can easily be achieved , at the same time obtaining significant savings of weight , subduing of footsteps and thermal insulation .