Last Updated on March 10, 2023 by Hassan Abbas
In this article, I am going to tell you the things which you should consider beforehand when building a lakeside dock. There are four main things which you should consider when building a dock on the lakeside.
- Stationary or floating dock
- Lake bed and water depth
- Dock supplies
- DIY dock or professional dock builder
- Stationary or floating dock
First of all, there are two types of docks. One is stationary dock while the other is a floating dock.
Stationary docks are considered to be permanent infrastructure which are also known as piling docks. You can build these kinds of docks with wood or concrete piles which are sunk into the lake bed. These types of docks are strong and stable.
On the other hand, Floating docks are the kind of docks which floats on the surface of the lake which makes them a bit versatile than the stationary docks. These docks are semi-permanent and you can also take it out of the water for storage.
- Lake bed and water depth
If you decide to go with the stationary dock, then you need to consider the lake bed and water depth of the lake.
You need to have a flat and sandy lake bed to build a dock on the lakeside. Rocky lake bed or one which has a big drop in depth to where the end of the dock from the shoreline can be problematic.
The lake water levels will naturally or artificially raise or lower. To build a stationary dock, the water depth difference of the lake should be minimal.
On the other hand, if the lake bed is not ideal and the water depth of the lake is not reliable then you have to go with the floating dock here.
- Dock supplies
Another important thing while building a dock is you need better quality of dock building materials. If you use better quality dock supplies then your dock will last longer. On the other hand, if you use poor quality of dock materials then it might fall or will not be reliable. It is a pretty simple concept to understand.
Many docks are made up of pressure-treated (PT) wood, composites and aluminum. It is not widely known as these traditional dock materials but modified wood is a great option for your dock decking on the lakeside.
Modified wood is a beautiful as well as exceptionally tough material for dock building. This wood is more moisture-resistant treated wood and contains no toxic chemicals.
Read More: Enjoy the Travel to Beautiful Lakes in Alberta
Using this wood, you will have an attractive yet comfortable deck. It won’t splinter and can even endure the most in extreme weather conditions.
- DIY dock or professional dock builder
The last but not the least important thing is if you want to build a DIY dock or you want to hire a professional dock builder for it.
Homeowners who have handyman skills may be able to build their own dock but only a smaller floating dock. But building a dock is not an easy process especially with the lack of knowledge about the waterfront structures.
So, the best bet will be to hire a professional who knows about these kinds of things. It may cost you a bit more upfront but you can have a dock which is secure and properly built.
You can have a simple lake dock or an ornate one, but the common factor about both these docks is that it should have a successful design which is long lasting and durable. These were the four tips which you should consider before building a dock.
