Lake Norman Dock Builder can provide a tranquil fishing spot or a recreational boating launch pad. It can also be a beautiful accent to your waterfront property.
Many factors influence the type and size of dock you build. These include local ordinances, lake-bottom configuration, chemical treatment, and corrosion concerns.
Pressure treated pine is the most popular wood used for building docks. The wood is rolled into giant pressurized tanks and chemical preservatives are forced deep into the fibers of the lumber, creating an exterior-grade material that can withstand the elements without rotting or being attacked by termites. Treated southern pine is also considered an ecologically sound construction material, as it greatly reduces the amount of natural forest resources that are required to replace untreated wooden structures damaged by rot, decay and termites.
Wood preservation processes are constantly evolving to improve and optimize performance while minimizing environmental impact. Current industry quality-control standards and advances in preservative treatments make treated pine an environmentally responsible building material. The wood is kiln-dried after treatment, minimizing the amount of water that is lost during the drying process, which is beneficial for the environment as well as the lumber’s longevity.
Most residential docks are constructed from treated pine, as it is an affordable option that requires less maintenance and repair than other materials. For marine applications, however, a more durable wood such as Cedar is preferred. As an added bonus, cedar does not splinter as much as pine, making it more suitable for use with bare feet and children who may be frequent visitors to your dock.
To ensure that you are purchasing high quality treated lumber, look for stamps or markings indicating the type of preservative it has been exposed to. The most common treatment is chromated copper arsenate (CCA). CCA-treated lumber has been tested and is approved by the American Wood Preservers Association for use in applications that require ground contact or exposure to saltwater, including sill plates, decking boards and joists/beams for freshwater and marine docks.
Cedar offers a more natural look for docks and has a pleasing scent. It is also naturally water-resistant and ages to a silver-gray color without staining. In addition, cedar is less expensive than IPE hardwoods or pressure-treated pine. It also resists wood-boring insects and is expected to last 25 years or more outdoors.
It is commonly used for roof shingles, exterior siding and cladding, weather boarding, decking, furniture and gazebos. In addition, the wood is also popular for boat and ship building. Cedar is pitch and resin-free, making it a great material to use for outdoor products because it can take a variety of stains and paints.
Western red cedar has a beautiful color that can range from a light red-brown to more of a pink-brown. It can also have unique streaks or areas of darker coloring. Because of these variations, the wood can take a wide variety of finishes from dark stains to semi-transparents. While cedar is waterproof, it still requires regular sealing to keep it in top shape.
In comparison to other wood materials, cedar has a natural ability to repel moisture and withstand the harsh sun. However, if your dock is located in saltwater, you will need to seal cedar at least twice a year to protect it from the elements. If you prefer to use a more low-maintenance material, you may want to consider composite or aluminum alternatives. These materials are typically more resistant to rot, mold and mildew, and are much easier to clean than traditional wood. Compared to wood, these materials also offer better strength for their weight and don’t crack or splinter. Additionally, aluminum is a good option for heavy-duty applications such as commercial or residential boat docks.
Composite materials are an integral part of numerous industries. They offer a superior strength-to-weight ratio, surpassing engineering metals like steel and aluminum. They also resist corrosion, chemicals, and environmental hazards. Most often, composites combine a polymer matrix with fibre reinforcement. The resin acts as the binding substance, transferring loads to the fibres and protecting them. These fibres can be made of a wide variety of materials, such as glass or carbon fibre. The polymer matrices can be thermoplastic or thermosetting, depending on the application. They may also contain core materials and fillers to improve the manufacturing process, appearance, or performance of the finished product.
Many dock contractors will use pultruded fiberglass composites in their designs because they are easy to work with and durable. They are also lightweight, allowing for flexible, curved, or angled features. These docks can also withstand high winds and harsh marine conditions.
A specialized type of composite is a carbon-reinforced polymer or carbon composite. This material is used in a variety of applications, including yokes and heat shields on spacecraft and disk brake systems in cars and luxury sports vehicles.
Aside from these common materials, there are a few other options for the structure of your boat dock. Choosing the right materials is vital to the longevity of your dock and to its ability to withstand harsh weather and environmental conditions. A professional can help you choose the best material for your project. They can also assist with design, installation, and maintenance. A local company will be familiar with the water conditions in your area and can provide a customized solution for your needs. This ensures that your new dock will meet your expectations and last a long time.
When you invest in a dock, you want it to last. You don’t want to have to pay for it again in a few years, or worse yet, have the dock fall apart because it wasn’t built properly. That’s why selecting the right materials is so important. The type of wood you choose can make or break your dock’s lifespan.
One popular option is to use thermally modified wood in your custom dock design. Basically, this is standard timber that’s been changed both thermally and chemically to improve its qualities. The thermal process works by heating air-dry wood to incredibly high temperatures. This removes the oxygen in the wood, which prevents it from burning. The result is timber that’s both stronger and less susceptible to damage from salt water.
This type of timber can be used in a wide variety of applications because it’s so durable. Accoya, for example, is a chemically modified timber that’s becoming the industry standard. It’s created through the modifying of plantation grown softwood such as radiata pine. It’s non-toxic and dimensionally stable, making it perfect for outdoor cladding, wood siding or external decking.
Another type of chemically treated timber is called Organowood, which is also made from plantation-grown wood but uses protective silicon compounds on the surface of each timber fibre. It is a very durable material that’s great for cladding, exterior siding and external decking because it doesn’t rot and is resistant to mold and mildew. It does have a slightly plastic feel and look to it, which some people don’t like. It also costs more than pressure-treated pine, but it lasts a lot longer and is better for the environment.
Aluminum is a metal that is highly resistant to corrosion, especially when it is combined with chromium or magnesium. It is also a popular choice for boat docks because of its ability to resist the damage and wear that can be caused by salt water exposure.
Unlike steel, aluminum does not require regular maintenance and can last much longer than a wooden dock. Additionally, a high-quality aluminum dock will increase the value of your lake home property and may even help you get more money if you decide to sell your property in the future.
Another option for dock building is using a material such as modified wood or plastic lumber to build your decking. These materials are more durable than pressure treated wood and they will not rot or crack, even when in direct contact with water. Additionally, they do not leach chemicals into the surrounding environment like treated wood does, which can be important to some property owners.
Once the foundation of your dock is built, it can be finished with your preferred decking material. The most common decking material is treated pine, but you can also choose to use composite or aluminum for your dock deck. These options are more expensive than treated pine, but they will last much longer and they will look great in your backyard.
If you are considering a metal frame for your dock, make sure that it is marine grade and designed for use in the harsh environment of a lake. Aluminum does not rust and is easy to maintain, but it isn’t as strong as stainless steel. To anchor the aluminum to the ground, you will need to place brackets that are fastened or welded to the aluminum. Each bracket has a round collar that sits on top of an aluminum pole that is driven into the ground underneath your dock.
