Boat docks can be made from several different types of materials, such as: aluminum, wood, or steel. Whichever material you choose for your dock, you want to be sure that it is durable and able to withstand the elements of your particular climate. Working with an experienced dock builder is also very important as you want to ensure high-quality work being executed through the design and building process.
Knoxville Barge will be sure to deliver outstanding work with the help of their outstanding crews and hands on approach to dock building. Keep reading if you want to learn more about the different dock material options that you can choose from when building your custom dock.
Aluminum Docks
Selecting aluminum as the primary material for building your dock will offer many benefits, including:
- Lightweight – aluminum docks are light weight, therefore easier to install and remove, but still provide a durable surface to stand on and dock your boat
- Low maintenance – being that aluminum is naturally anti-corrosive, your deck will require less maintenance than wooden decks and may last longer because it will not rot or decay
- Removeable – most aluminum decks can be easily removed during the fall and winter seasons
- Valuable – selecting an aluminum deck can potentially add more monetary value to your property value because it is more expensive than a deck built only from wood
As you can see, you may want to consider an aluminum deck if you are looking for something that is low maintenance, lightweight, and removeable.
Wood Docks
Oftentimes wooden docks are more desirable to homeowners because of the woods natural beauty. You can look at different staining options in order to customize your deck to exactly what you want for your property. Of course, with wooden docks you can easily add additional features like a sundeck to further add value and beauty to your dock. Because a wooden dock is subject to the elements more than an aluminum dock would be, you want to be sure to have your dock winterized properly each year. Proper winterization can help your dock last longer and keep it safe from any preventable damage.
It is also important to note that when building a custom wood dock, you should be sure to choose a builder that has a very experienced team of designers, carpenters, and deck builders like Knoxville Barge.
Steel Docks
Another option that you can select for your primary dock material is steel. Steel docks are the sturdiest but, usually, the costliest. Typically, steel docks are preferred for commercial docks but can be used residentially as well. Listed are two main reasons as to why steel may be the best option for your dock material:
- Strong – due to the heavy weight and toughness of steel you can be sure that once your steel dock is built, it is not going to easily be moved or destroyed
- Durable – steel docks are highly durable and because they don’t shrink or corrode they are very low maintenance and long lasting
Build a Custom Dock in Knoxville
Many times, when , you will not only select one material type because it will be a hybrid of multiple materials. Because of this, it is important to know what your material options are and decide which is the best option for you. When you work with Knoxville Barge, we will help you select the option you are most comfortable with and build you the dock of your dreams! Contact us today to get a free estimate and start.