The Different Types of Docks

For a lot of people, a dock is just what is used to walk out on the water and do whatever activity is planned. So if the time ever comes for them to own their own dock, they are pretty much clueless on the right type of dock for their body of water. Picking the right type of dock is a decision that is left to many factors such as water fluctuation, climate, water depth, and many others. If you purchase a dock that isn’t recommended for your water, you’ll end up unhappy quick whether it is due to stability or maintenance issues.

Types of Docks

There are several types of docks that all work great for their intended use. The two main types of docks are floating and stationary. A floating dock will adjust with the water levels as they rise and lower, while a stationary dock is built to remain in a fixed position. There are other types of docks that are sub-categories of the main two, such as boathouses and modular dock systems such as EZ Dock. While this can make the decision a little more complex, the choice really depends on the water level. Determine if your body of water fluctuates or remains level, then base your decision from there.

Floating Docks

If your water depth is over 10′ Feet, you will need a floating dock. More than likely the water is too deep for pilings to be installed, and the water probably fluctuates often. If a stationary dock is installed in water that is too deep, the water will push the dock in when a wave crashes in or snow melts and quickly bend and twist the frame. There are many options available when designing a floating dock, such as wood, aluminum, or steel. The best long term options are steel and aluminum. Floats are attached to the bottom of the frame to keep the dock floating. Decking includes many options as well, such as aluminum, PVC, composite, wood, concrete, or Thru-Flow. For stability, concrete is the most durable and stable option. The only decking not recommended is wood, due to rotting other option will last a much longer time.

Custom Steel Floating Dock

Modular Docks

If you’re looking for the easiest dock solution, a modular dock system such as EZ Dock will be best for you! With modular docks, you’re able to design your dock to any shape or size you want, and have the ability to add more over time. EZ Dock is a floating dock system. It’s as durable as steel docks due to the solid 3/4″ thick construction, meaning it can handle anything mother nature throws at it. The best feature of EZ Dock is the lack of maintenance. With EZ Dock, you’ll never have to worry about rotting, rusting, or splintering. Just simply get out on the water and have a great time!

Stationary Docks

Stationary docks are built on top of pilings that have been driven and fixed into the body of water’s floor. For small ponds, lakes, and rivers this is the best option for residential docks because it won’t require maintenance or upkeep, and will be left alone year-round. As stated earlier, a stationary dock requires water that doesn’t rise or lower. Regions with a lot of snow aren’t recommended because as snow melts, it will push the pilings apart which can also crunch the dock’s decking and frames.

Boathouses

With any kind of dock, it’s possible to build a permanent fixture to give you a home on the water. A boathouse will give you a place to store your boat, as well as having a place you could live out of if you wanted to. Boathouses are usually located on open water, such as a river, but can be built anywhere. Boathouses can be equipped with any fixture you’d have in a house, such as a kitchen, bar, lounge, and more.

Designing a dock is a complicated task that is best handled by the experts. If you’re interested in a new dock, feel free to contact us to request a free quote, and our team with over 30 years of experience will reach out and help you design the dock that will perfectly fit your needs.

How to Design Your Perfect Dock Layout

Picking the right layout for your dock that will fit all your needs is a difficult challenge. When purchasing a new dock, you’ll want to begin with knowing what you’ll use the dock for. Is it a dock used for storing your boat? Or is it just going to be a fishing and swimming platform? These are the things you’ll need to know before you begin to layout your dock. Luckily with EZ Dock, your needs will be covered no matter what application you intend to use your dock for.

How to Choose the Right Dock Layout

When picking your dock layout, the first thing you’ll want to consider is the size. You’ll want to know the general area of the dock, meaning the length and width that will fit the space you have in the water. You’ll also need to know how far out you will want your dock to be in the water, which will be determined by the size of gangway you select. If you have any restrictions on how far out in the water your dock can be, you’ll want to make sure you fall within those limits. If you own any boats or personal watercraft, then request that your dock has the proper amount of slips to accommodate storing those. Determining the size and shape your dock will be is most important aspect of planning.

Swim Platform

Features and Accessories

After considering what your dock will look like, also plan what features you may want to go with it. If you want your dock to be used for swimming, you may consider adding a swim ladder. For fishing, adding a outer railing may give some comfort and protection. A bench can be added for allowing your dock some leisure. There are many other accessories you can add to your dock to help improve the use you get out of it. These accessories include dock boxes, boat bumpers, solar lights, fish cleaning stations, and more. Speak with your local EZ Dock dealer or browse our latest catalogs here if you’re interested in learning more about accessories.

Plan Your Installation

When you’ve finalized your dock design, it’s time for it to get purchased and put into the water. You’ll first have to decide if you want the dock professional installed, which is always our recommendation, or to do it yourself. A professional installation is always guaranteed by our expert team to be high quality and of working order. Our team will decide what anchoring method best fits your body of water. Anchoring is an overlooked aspect of the design process, generally because the hard planning of the layout is already over. However, anchoring is one of the most important because you want your dock to be steady and secure for many years to come. With EZ Dock, the easiness of installation can be completed by anyone that has basic construction skills such as using an impact, drill, and pipe wrench. The hardest part of self-installations is getting the heavy dock sections into the water, which will generally require a extra set of hands or two. After installation is complete, it’s time to get out and enjoy the water!

Build the Perfect Dock that Fits Your Needs with EZ Dock

There are many options you can go with when choosing the material your dock will be constructed out of. The most reliable, easy-to-use choice is with the modular dock sections of EZ Dock! With EZ Dock, you have a dock that is as durable as any other material such as steel, with the added bonus of versatility. Your dock has the ability to be expanded on to at any time with EZ Dock sections, which gives you the flexibility of designing your dock in phases to save on costs. If you’re interested in purchasing a new dock, request a free quote today and our team of experts will contact you shortly to decide what you need. You can also give us a call at (800) 654-8168.