Dreading Dock Installation this Spring? Read our Tips!

Many conventional wood docks and some aluminum frames ones do not have a stringer bracket to connect the dock to the crossarm. A dock like this has to be augered or the poles would fall over. Adding stringer brackets and bottom plates to an existing dock with conventional augers can automatically take a lot of the work out of it.

Q: “That solution is for a dock with bottom plates, and I have a pontoon boat that I tie directly to the dock in high winds. I have to auger, don't I?”
A: In most cases you don't. You can simply install our inexpensive permanent augers.

These rugged units are designed to be left under the ice all year, creating a permanent underwater base for our regular post. It's just as fast as bottom plates and gives you the added option of dropping fully assembled supports into the bases first.

You can use a combination of permanent augers and bottom plates depending on where you need the support of an augered post. We also offer large bottom plates for areas where a larger plate is needed. These can be especially useful for installing trusses - just like the permanent augers, the large bottom plates will allow you to stand the trusses up and simply lay the sections on them. A properly designed dock using these components only requires you to remove or tighten 4 bolts per section when installing or taking out your dock.

Q: “That’s fine for beach conditions but what about heavy muck, that can't be easy!”
A: That’s where Alumi-Span’s famous Bigfoot System comes in!

These units work just like Perma Augers, but are designed to push down into muddy bottoms. Once installed they form a permanent underwater base that not only facilitates installation but also gives you something solid to stand on when you're in the water. Additional advantages of both permanent systems are that they place the dock for you perfectly every year and you never have to adjust anything. You can also put the farthest section in first and build back to shore since you know exactly where it will go. Also, if you absolutely insist on conventional augering, just use a few right where you tie your boat. The rest can be bottom plates.

Read more about dock installation on our website!

Why Choose Alumi-Span for Aluminum Docks?

The answer is in the name! Since 1956, Alumi-Span is a name that people trust. Whether it's a complete boat dock system or the individual components, we manufacture our products using quality methods and materials. With the high quality and dependability of Alumi-Span, it's no wonder so many property owners in Michigan have selected our aluminum docks over the years. In Detroit and the surrounding areas, we’ve built a reputation you can depend on.

Interested in a new dock or replacement parts that will last? Fill out our contact form or give us a call at 855-523-2444 to find out more.

How to Make Dock Installation Easy

Dock Installation has a reputation for being the most hated chore a cottage owner has to tackle each year. Those who hate it are usually in the same situation – they own a heavy all-pine dock that requires 100% augering.

We talk to dozens of customers each year who, in frustration, decide they’ll do or pay almost anything to eliminate this back-breaking work. They look at rolling docks and many other fancy options, only to find out that they’re mega-expensive and most of them don't work nearly as well as advertised.

Did you know a properly designed conventional dock can be installed in about 3 minutes per section without any augering or heavy lifting, even in muck? You can save thousands of dollars while retaining the flexibility of nearly any configuration is icing on the cake.

There are a few basics things that are key to quick, easy assembly:

Light Weight Sections
No matter what style of dock you have, remember that if it's not light, it's not easy. Old splintery, hot, all-wood sections often weigh 200 – 250 pounds, or potentially more if they're wet. Alumi-Span offers over 25 different sizes and styles of dock sections ranging in weight from 45-150 lbs. All aluminum and vinyl docks are by far the lightest; however, Alumi-Span also offers a cedar option with weights just slightly more than our all aluminum or vinyl sections. Cedar saves a lot of money as compared to the more maintenance free materials and it is still significantly lighter than a pine dock.

Eliminate Augering!
Many conventional wood docks and some aluminum frames ones do not have a stringer bracket to connect the dock to the crossarm. A dock like this has to be augered or the poles would fall over. Adding stringer brackets and bottom plates to an existing dock with conventional augers can automatically take a lot of the work out of it. 

Read more about dock installation on our website!

How Boat Dock Materials Have a Major Effect on Price

Trying to decide on materials for your new boat dock? Is price a top concern with the design of your boat dock? Want to know the truth about boat dock materials and price? 

Installing a new boat dock at your waterfront property is a significant investment, so you should make sure you’re spending your money wisely. That means making an economical choice when it comes to boat dock materials. But we’re not suggesting you just go with the lowest price tag! Smart shoppers know you must consider the cost over the lifetime of you dock to know the true price of your materials. 

Let’s break things down and compare two options in boat dock materials: wood and aluminum. 

Short-Term Costs

Initially, wood will offer a lower price point for new dock installation compared to aluminum docks. This initial cost can be the difference in whether your dock layout needs to be simple or have a few extras. 

Maintenance Costs

Here’s where aluminum docks start to make a comeback! Wood docks require maintenance to continue to last and look great, that costs money.  Aluminum docks are far more durable and require very little maintenance; that saves money! And for a bonus, the coating that protects aluminum docks is naturally occurring, so it doesn’t need to be re-applied and is completely safe for your waterway’s ecosystem.  

Long-Term Costs

Aside from regular maintenance, owners of wood docks will likely incur other costs. And while premium wood docks have a long life span, wood does not last as long as metal. Aluminum dock owners don’t have the same issues because of the durability of the material and the longer lifespan. In this category, aluminum docks are a clear winner once again. 

Which is right for you: wood or aluminum docks?

Now that you understand the effect material has on the cost of your dock today and tomorrow, you can decide what’s best for you. Weigh other factors like design, size, and how you use the dock. No matter what material you go for, Alumi-Span has the experience, products, and services to help you get the job done. Call today to talk about options for aluminum boat docks at your waterfront property. 

What Affects the Price of Your Boat Dock?

Crunching numbers on the cost of a new boat dock? Trying to decide the best way to spend your boat dock budget? Want to know what has the biggest effect on boat dock prices?

For most waterfront property owners, a boat dock is a necessary investment. It can have a huge impact on your ability to enjoy your property and on your property value. For those on a budget, you’ll want to know how to maximize your money and what elements are going to be the most expensive. Cue our list of the three major factors that affect boat dock prices.

1. Materials:
A material like wood saves you some money upfront, but may cost you more long-term, especially since it won’t last as long. Aluminum docks cost more at installation but save you in maintenance and replacement. You need to consider your decking materials, poles, nuts and bolts, and anything else you’ll be adding on.

2. Size:
This one’s kind of a no-brainer: the bigger the dock, the bigger the cost. But you can also use this factor to change the scale of the project if you want to spend more on other features.

3. Design:
You have several design elements to consider. First and foremost, you must determine the function your dock will have before you can make the best design decisions. If you have only small watercrafts and require only function a straight dock might serve you well. On the other hand, if you need a boat slip or a swim platform, you need a dock design that can supply this!

Trust Alumi-Span with all your boat dock needs!

Think about the factors that have the biggest impact on the price of your boat dock so you can be confident that you’re spending your money wisely. When you’re ready to start making decisions, give us a call! At Alumi-Span, we can help you get the features you need for aluminum boat docks at a price that works for you. Let us help you take the first steps toward the boat dock of your dreams today.

Safely Dock in 2023 with New Boat Dock Bumpers

Boat dock bumpers are critical to protect your boat and your boat dock. Bumpers take the beating and protect your boat from hitting the metal edges of your dock. Traditional boat fenders work to protect your boat but tend to be bulky and, after a couple years, they become unsightly.

So, how do you know if it’s time for an upgrade?

Our bumpers not only protect your boat, but they also extend low enough to protect jet ski hoods, sailboats, and even kayaks from getting caught under the edge of your dock and getting scratched.

Here are the facts you need to know:

• Torpedo post bumpers are designed to slide over your dock posts and around the dock hardware to provide protection for your boat. They provide cushioning under impact and are long-lasting.
• Side stringer boat dock bumpers secure around the whole edge of any 4” dock frame, so they won’t come off no matter the conditions! 

Find out more about boat dock bumpers on our website!

For nearly 60 years, Alumi-Span has provided entire dock systems and component parts to property owners like you who want their docks to last. Need assistance selecting the right Alumi-Span products for your dock? Get in touch with us at 855-523-2444.

Our knowledge about boat docks can help you construct the perfect dock that will serve you for years. If you’ve tried other boat dock bumpers and were disappointed in their performance, it’s time to go with Alumi-Span!

Boat Dock Bumpers to Protect Your Dock

Do you want to improve the quality of your boat dock?

Do you want to better protect your investment?

Boat dock bumpers are critical to protect your boat and your boat dock. Bumpers take the beating and protect your boat from hitting the metal edges of your dock. Traditional boat fenders work to protect your boat but tend to be bulky and, after a couple years, they become unsightly.

So, how do you know if it’s time for an upgrade?

Find out on our website!

For nearly 60 years, Alumi-Span has provided entire dock systems and component parts to property owners like you who want their docks to last. Need assistance selecting the right Alumi-Span products for your dock? Get in touch with us at 855-523-2444.

Our knowledge about boat docks can help you construct the perfect dock that will serve you for years. If you’ve tried other boat dock bumpers and were disappointed in their performance, it’s time to go with Alumi-Span!

The Right Dock Accessories for Your Family

In some ways your dock is a tool. It’s useful and practical, a means to an end: access to the water and your boat. But if you have a family, your boat dock also serves as a venue for fun and play. That makes it even more important to assure your dock is family-friendly and as safe as possible!

To keep your family safe on and by the water, consider these upgrades, including some great dock accessories, for your waterfront space:

• Bumpers: Enough quality bumpers can help keep your family safe in many ways. It will absorb shock, protecting the boat, the dock, and your family in case of a hard landing.
• Stairs and ladders: if you have large steps up or down or the dock is used for swimming, stairs and ladders are a great way to increase the safety of your family. Ladders are also beneficial in case of a fall and for general accessibility.
• Corner sections: do you have kids or even pets that like jumping the corners of your dock? You can discourage this dangerous behavior and add a little more space for people to maneuver by adding corner dock sections.

Read the full article about dock accessories on our website!

There’s no reason to risk your family’s safety when these safety items are so easy to put into place. If you are interested in any of the dock accessories featured here, or have other questions about dock safety, give us a call today!