There are many materials for your dock. Natural wood pilings, untreated wood, steel, and composite decking are great options. Consider them for your situation. Aluminum docks are a great choice because they are lightweight and strong, and they will never warp, twist or decay. You can reconfigure them if you want to change their location or style.
Natural wood pilings
Wooden pilings are often the best option when building decks and docks West Palm Beach because they are inexpensive and sturdy. But the natural wood pilings have imperfections that are vulnerable to ice, which can pull them out of the ground when the tides rise and fall. You can make the wood pilings more durable by covering them in a protective sleeve. If you are concerned about durability, you can also use synthetic pilings.
Wood pilings are the most natural option for docks because they blend in with the surroundings. Untreated wood will rot over time, but hardwood stands up to exposure to water and salt. You should use treated wood pilings if you plan to expose your pilings to water. This is because the wood has lower oxygen levels, making it more resistant to rot. As a result, wood pilings exposed to water will last longer.
Untreated wood
There are several reasons why pressure-treated wood is not the best choice for building docks. First, it requires regular maintenance, including cleaning and sealing every year. It also tends to develop splinters after a few years. Another reason is its potential to leach Arsenic into water or soil.
Cedar, for instance, is a natural wood product that is both durable and attractive. Cedar is also resistant to wood-boring insects. Cedar wood is also rot-resistant and does not absorb moisture, making other woods split. Cedarwood can last for 20 years or longer. Cedar docks can be built ground-level or shaded. Meanwhile, pressure-treated wood is more expensive and requires more maintenance. Pressure-treated lumber is attractive to the eye but tends to absorb moisture and is susceptible to mold and mildew.
Steel
While steel is the best material for building docks, plain carbon steel is not ideal for marine applications. This material is more prone to rusting, and welding can be hazardous. Even if the steel has been galvanized, damage to the coating will result in corrosion over time. Therefore, this material is not ideal for building docks that need to withstand saltwater or heavy use. Fortunately, steel has many benefits.
The first advantage of steel over aluminum is its strength. The steel docks are more rigid than their aluminum counterparts. Besides, they are less likely to show wear from collisions with other vessels. Steel docks are also more durable than aluminum ones. On the other hand, Aluminum docks are much lighter than their steel counterparts, but they also require more maintenance. Aluminum docks are also cheaper than steel ones, but they are also more expensive.
Composite decking
When building a dock, you’ll need to decide on the material you want. There are many choices, from wood to metal to composite and capped composite to PVC. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. However, composite decking is an excellent choice for docks because of its durability, low water absorption, and resistance to UV rays. Whether you want a wood look or a sleek, contemporary look, composite decking has these advantages.
Although composite decking is more expensive than pressure-treated wood, you’ll have to clean it regularly to keep it looking new. Pressure-washing and sanding can easily damage the material. Composite decking should also be easier to maintain than pressure-treated wood. The only downside to composite decking is that it’s more challenging to install than pressure-treated wood. But that’s not a big deal since composite decking shouldn’t be more difficult to install, and the labor should not be more expensive.
PVC decking
There are many benefits to PVC decking for building docks. Unlike wooden materials, vinyl decking requires little maintenance. Since it is not porous, it is not susceptible to mold or mildew. Moreover, vinyl decking will not become slippery if it gets wet. This material is also lightweight, making it easy to handle and move from one place to another. However, it is also expensive.
Another important feature of PVC decking for docks is its structural stability. This property makes the material resistant to changes in temperature. This property ensures that the dock deck will not split and warp, despite the constant contact with water. PVC also requires little maintenance, and it only needs a periodic inspection to make sure that the material is still in good condition. However, if you want to choose PVC decking for building docks, you should keep these things in mind.
Cedar
When it comes to materials for building docks, cedar and pressure-treated wood are two of the best. Both require the same joist spacing and can be installed without special equipment. In addition, while they are primarily resistant to rot and insects, they have distinct qualities that make them better suited for docks.
While not the cheapest, cedar is a highly durable material that won’t crack or warp over time. Cedar is naturally water repellent, resistant to rot and wood-boring insects, and can last up to 20 years if properly cared for. Cedar docks are also beautiful and are ideal for ground-level structures. Pressure-treated woods can be more expensive than cedar and require more maintenance and repair.