Building Strong Wooden Docks

Looking for a wooden dock that won’t rot or fall apart easily?

Alumi-Span’s wood dock sections come with anodized aluminum side rails, making the sections much lighter than an all-wood dock. The anodizing also ensures the metal will not get hot in the summer sun. Alumi-Span’s side rails are made of heavier walled aluminum extrusion than most, making them much stronger to support a wood section.  

The sections themselves are built with a high attention to detail. Each board is secured four times from the back to prevent twisting. Stainless steel fasteners attach the boards to the side stringers.  On the 4’ wide sections, there is an “I” beam attached to the center of the back of the section that is supported by a rest on the crossarm. This prevents sagging over time.

Read more about wooden docks in our latest article.

Build a Life-Long Wooden Dock

Whether you’re upgrading your dock or starting from scratch, Alumi-Span has the materials you need! If you have questions, or if you’re ready to place an order, call 855-523-2444 or submit a contact form.

Pine and Cedar Dock Sections

In the market for a fresh wooden dock?

There are two different types of wood decking that Alumi-Span offers: treated pine and cedar. For both types, they get only premium lumber and hand sort the boards as they build to ensure they are free of major blemishes. The pine comes kiln dried and is virtually knot-free. Knot-free lumber will help increase the lifespan of your dock. The cedar deck boards come pre-stained with a quality oil-based stain, giving it a rich color. In addition, only tight knot cedar lumber is used on their dock sections, increasing the longevity of the wood.

Read more about wooden docks in our latest article.

Build a Life-Long Wooden Dock

Whether you’re upgrading your dock or starting from scratch, Alumi-Span has the materials you need! If you have questions, or if you’re ready to place an order, call 855-523-2444 or submit a contact form.

How Does Winter Affect Your Boat Dock?

Michigan winters are notoriously unpredictable. We might have a good freeze and inches of snow and then a warm front could move in, melting the snow and thawing the ground. That cycle might repeat a few times throughout the winter. 

When a wooden dock is left in the water all winter, that freeze/thaw cycle takes a toll on the integrity of its boards. Wood is like a sponge, absorbing water from its surface and even from the air. That means a wooden dock always has some water in it, even in clear weather.

How does that affect your wooden dock? Read more about ice and your wooden dock on our website!

If you have a wooden dock that’s been damaged by winter weather, or you’re looking to replace an older dock with a durable aluminum boat dock, call our experts at 855-523-2444 or use the contact form on the website.

Are You Thinking About Leaving Your Dock in the Water this Winter?

Removing your dock in the fall can be a long, cold, labor-intensive process. It’s no fun when all you really want to do is relax on your boat under a warm, sunny sky. 

There’s probably a moment every fall where you wonder “what’s the worst that could happen if I leave my dock in the water just this once?”
 

The worst that could happen is coming back in the spring and finding it severely damaged! Even if it’s not visibly damaged, ice, snow, and fluctuating temperatures have almost certainly weakened the wood.

Read more about how ice affects your wooden dock on our website!

An aluminum boat dock is sturdy and durable in any Michigan weather, but we still recommend taking your dock out for the winter. Leaving an aluminum or vinyl dock in the water all winter won’t cause it the kind of freeze/thaw damage that a wooden dock sustains, but it does leave it in the path of ice flows in the spring.

If you have a dock that’s been damaged by winter weather, or you’re looking to replace an older dock with a durable aluminum boat dock, call our experts at 855-523-2444 or use the contact form.

Can't Decide on the Right Material for Your Wooden Dock?

Trying to pick the right material for your wooden dock?

Overwhelmed by all the options on the market?

 Choose the right type of wood for a natural looking dock that will be around at your family property for generations:

• Pressure treated pine: This is the most common and affordable type of wood used for boat docks. The initial cost is the cheapest compared to other options and should last 20 years or more with annual maintenance. 
• Cedar wood: Cedar is a softer wood option and is considered an upgrade to treated pine. While cedar has some natural rot resistance, it still requires a water sealer applied every year. Cedar planks should last 25 years or more and can be stained to truly fit your style.
• Composite deck materials: This type of decking is low maintenance, often made from recycled materials, and very rot resistant. 
• Exotic hardwood materials: Exotic hardwood requires an expensive initial investment, but this type of decking is proven to last 75 years or more! Made from sustainable wood, this rot resistant, low maintenance decking option is available in short boards, which will reduce the price.

If you want to learn more about your options for wooden dock sections, talk to our experts! We’ve been in the business for over 60 years and have the knowledge and expertise to help you build your dream dock. Contact us today to get started!

Read the full article about wooden docks on our website!

“I would highly recommend Alumi-Span Docks. I found the company on the internet and have never regretted one minute of our transaction. From the first call, anyone with whom I spoke was professional and friendly. Sketches were sent to me, and I placed my order in November 2017. Per my request, the dock was delivered at the end of March 2018. I was not required to have anyone on site to help unload it and, also per my request, they carried it to the lake side of my home. I cannot say enough positive things about my experience with this company.” - Cynthia K.

How to Build a Wooden Dock

Are you learning how to build a wooden dock from scratch?

Are you rebuilding an existing dock that has since rotted or needs planks replaced?

If you need to build or rebuild a wooden dock, you want the most durable wood available that will be low maintenance and last a lifetime.

Read the full article about choosing the right material for your wooden dock on our website!

If you want to learn more about your options for wooden dock sections, talk to our experts! We’ve been in the business for over 60 years and have the knowledge and expertise to help you build your dream dock. 

Contact us today to get started!

“I would highly recommend Alumi-Span Docks. I found the company on the internet and have never regretted one minute of our transaction. From the first call, anyone with whom I spoke was professional and friendly. Sketches were sent to me, and I placed my order in November 2017. Per my request, the dock was delivered at the end of March 2018. I was not required to have anyone on site to help unload it and, also per my request, they carried it to the lake side of my home. I cannot say enough positive things about my experience with this company.” - Cynthia K.

Do you know what type of boat dock is right for your lake?

Have you recently purchased a lakefront property?

Do you have a cabin or lake house that needs a few upgrades?

A boat dock can make life at the lake so much more fun – from using it for swimming and sunbathing, to jet skiing and boating, this simple addition can add hours of fun for your friends and family.

Do you know what type of boat dock is right for your lake? Have you considered going DIY, or hiring a professional to help with the install and build?

Check out our tips for building a boat dock on your lake here.

Having a Hard Time Deciding on Materials for Your Wooden Dock?

If you need to build or rebuild a wooden dock, you want the most durable wood available that will be low maintenance and last a lifetime. Your boat dock sees a lot of abuse from waves, being saturated with water, and storm conditions. Constant moisture is an enemy for all boat dock materials whether they’re wood or composite, and can lead to faster rot and decay.

Choose the right type of wood for a natural looking dock that will be around at your family property for generations:

Pressure treated pine: This is the most common and affordable type of wood used for boat docks. The initial cost is the cheapest compared to other options, and should last you 20 years or more with annual maintenance. This type of wood has been known to splinter over time, so beware when you’re walking barefoot!

Read more on our website!

If you want to learn more about your options for wooden dock sections, talk to our experts! We’ve been in the business for over 60 years and have the knowledge and expertise to help you build your dream dock. Contact us today to get started!

“I would highly recommend Alumi-Span Docks. I found the company on the internet and have never regretted one minute of our transaction. From the first call, anyone with whom I spoke was professional and friendly. Sketches were sent to me, and I placed my order in November 2017. Per my request, the dock was delivered at the end of March 2018. I was not required to have anyone on site to help unload it and, also per my request, they carried it to the lake side of my home. I cannot say enough positive things about my experience with this company.”

Building a Wood Boat Dock? Choose the Right Dock Sections...

Are you learning how to build a wooden boat dock from scratch?

Are you rebuilding an existing dock that has since rotted or needs planks replaced? If you need to build or rebuild a wooden dock, you want the most durable wood available that will be low maintenance and last a lifetime.

Your boat dock sees a lot of abuse from waves, being saturated with water, and storm conditions. Constant moisture is an enemy for all boat dock materials whether they’re wood or composite, and can lead to faster rot and decay.

 Choose the right type of wood for a natural looking dock that will be around at your family property for generations. See more on our website!

Only the Best U.S. Made Materials for Your Wooden Dock!

Alumi-Span means “Made in America.”

Because value is our priority, we only use quality methods and materials that are made in the United States. You don’t have to worry about cheap parts or cut-rate boat docks that are typically found on the internet.

You can depend on us to deliver the best materials that fit your family needs! We make it easy for you to use our accessories!

Our system uses 4” high “F” style strings on the deck frame and 2” O.D. tubing; these dimensions are commonly used on other wooden docks, so our accessories will fit other brands too!

 Ready to upgrade your wooden dock with only the highest quality materials and the most convenient system? Well, we’re ready to help!

Contact us today!

Make Your Wooden Dock Fun and Functional!

‘Tis the season for long days on the lake, lounging on your wooden dock.

Thinking about upgrading your dock to make it perfect for your family?

We’re one step ahead!

Here are a few ways to fit all your family needs:

• Dock accessories 
• Do you have young children or elderly parents using your wooden dock? If so, we recommend installing steps and ladders as safety precautions. Optional hand railings and bumpers are other accessories that add stability and security to your wooden dock 
• Dock lighting 
• Ready for summer nights? Dock lights help identify your dock and help navigate through the dark waters. It will also make it easier for passengers to load and unload the boat 
• Dock seating 
• Tired of sitting on your hard, wooden dock? Spice up the space with a bench or two! 
• Swimming rafts 
• Have you ever felt the excitement of jumping off a swimming raft? If not, you’re really missing out on a summer fun classic! 

There’s more where that came from! 

Check out our full list of accessories to help make your summers even better. Better yet, give us a call at 855-523-244 so we can chat about how to make the most of your wooden dock!

What Makes a Wooden Dock Stand Out?

What makes a treated pine wooden dock stand out among other options?

• Quality treated pine dock sections use premium lumber that is kiln dried after treatment, making it ideal to apply stains to as soon as you receive the sections 
• Treated pine wooden dock sections use stainless steel fasteners, wood screws instead of nails, and anodized aluminum side rails 

 To see the full list of benefits, visit our website!

If you want to learn more about your options for wooden dock sections, talk to our experts!

We’ve been in the business for over 60 years and have the knowledge and expertise to help you build your dream dock. Contact us today to get started!

Save Money with a Treated Pine Wooden Dock

Are you considering building a boat dock for your lakefront or riverfront property?

Do you feel overwhelmed by all the dock section options available? Consider a wooden dock made from treated pine!

 This type of dock is an economical alternative to some of the more maintenance-free decking options. What makes a treated pine wooden dock stand out among other options?

Click here to learn more.