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A new dock can be deemed as an investment to your property since it will serve as an extension of your home. It can be a setting where your family and friends can hang out and enjoy swimming, boating, or fishing. The reason why choosing the right type of dock is an essential matter and decision to make.
Floating docks are one of the most prominent choices on lakes and ocean bays in the last few decades. They are quicker to install, low on maintenance, and highly versatile compared with conventional piling structures that are driven to the seabed.
So if you want to enjoy your waterfront property fully, you need to stay on this page, for this article will guide you in choosing the floating docks that are fitted to your needs.
Advantages of Floating Docks
Here are some benefits of floating docks beyond their undeniable ability to ride the tide.
- Fast to Install
Installing a floating dock is considerably quicker and easier for they do not need to be fixed to the lake or seabed. You can even order floating docks that are prebuilt.
- Easy to Remove
Most floating docks are handy and transportable. You can prolong the lifespan of its structure by removing it from the water in winter days if not being used.
- Can be Customized
Modular floating docks can be organized and rearranged as many times as you want. You may move the pieces to create a straight line, L-shape, or U-shape, depending on your needs, since they can be placed farther out into the water, they can also serve as resting place for sunbathers and swimmers.
- Versatile
Floating docks are resilient as they can adjust to escalating and dropping water levels, making it accessible to get on and off your watercraft.
- Affordable
Since they need fewer materials and less time to install, the cost of a floating dock is considerably less than the price of a stationary dock.
Types of Floating Docks
A floating dock that is huge and stable enough for the people, boat, and gear on top of it is serving its purpose. In floating dock construction, there isn’t one type of material that is integrally better or worse over the other. It only implies that different materials merely offer different qualities. Check below the different types of floating docks and their key features that may be suitable for your needs.
- Plastic Floating Dock
A floating dock that is basically composed of plastic that covers an array of robust and chemically-derived components. A good example is the one offered by Hisea floating docks. They provide uncompromised quality and the only plastic floating dock manufacturer to undertake extra tests such as the Diagonal Tensile Test for product measurement.
Plastic floating docks are the most affordable selection and they do not rust or rot. However, UV-treated plastics may eventually endure sun damage over time, including discoloration and cracking. Thus, replacement is required after some years.
- Wood Floating Docks
A wooden dock has a demeanor that everyone likes. This is because wood is the traditional building material for creating floating docks. And it stays popular and accessible, not merely due to the nostalgia factor, but because wood is an excellent material for building a floating dock.
Wood naturally floats, durable, and can be readily cut into shapes. Nevertheless, wooden floating docks may be expensive, depending on the kind of wood. Plus, they do need maintenance and often require extensive sanding, staining, and sealing if they are to last several years.
- Aluminum Floating Docks
Aluminum floating docks are typically known for their durability. A dock that is composed of this lightweight but rugged element can tolerate an encounter from a boat or a beating from the storm. This is due to their more resilience feature compared to plastic and wooden docks. Aluminum is resistant to corrosion, yet not immune to it. Hence, expect an aluminum floating dock to rust over time.
- Inflatable Floating Docks
Inflatable docks are commonly made for recreational activities, not for boarding platform. Large platforms, such as floating islands, are not stable enough for safe use as boat boarding. Furthermore, they are neither durable nor permanent. However, there are few exceptions to their features since there are some manufacturers of inflatable docks that are relatively durable for small vessels like jet skis.
Anchoring a Floating Dock
Floating docks need the most anchoring. Safeguarding a floating dock is thought to be easier than fixing a permanent dock to into the seabed. Still, it would be best if you did it correctly. Otherwise, your dock would float away or damage any watercraft fastened to it.
You will need to use anchors that are at least twice the weight of the dock. This is to assure that it will stay in its place. An ideal anchoring system is composed of huge concrete blocks attached to steel chains in a criss-cross style. Note that you wouldn’t want to apply chains that are too short. This is because leaving a bit of a slack lets the floating dock to rise and fall with the water.
Rather than weighing down the dock, some prefer to tether it to their property. While this can lead to easier access on the platform, it is also riskier because of the currents and shifting tides trying to pull the dock away from the shore.
Conclusion
To sum it up, floating docks are the most affordable and common used for lakes and sea bed. Choosing the right floating docks – plastic-type, wood-type, or metal-type – will rely solely on your requirements and preference.
You can seek guidance from a trusted manufacturer and supplier of floating docks that obtains everything you need in installing, accessing, and maintaining new floating docks. Certainly, they will inform you about the things that you require from the right hardware up to accessories.
