Installing a Basic Dock is Easy with Alumi-Span!

When you receive a dock from us, you also get a kit. Our basic kit includes dock sections, crossarms, upright posts, bottom plates, stringer brackets, and caps for the post. The first step is pre-assembling as much as possible. In the next few years, you won’t have to repeat these steps.

Did you know that a conventional dock can be installed in about 3 minutes per section without any heavy lifting?

Follow these basic steps for easy dock installation:

1. Use lightweight sections: It’s simple: if your sections aren’t light, the installation won’t be easy. Old, all-wood sections often weigh 200-250 pounds, and can be more if they’re wet. Our selection of over 25 different sizes and styles of dock sections ranging in weight from 45-150 pounds. All aluminum and vinyl are by far the lightest.
2. Get rid of auguring: Dock augers are used as feet to help stabilize dock supports into the lake bottom. Many conventional wooden docks and some aluminum docks do not have a stringer bracket to connect the dock to the crossarm. A dock like this needs to be augured, or the poles would fall over. Our inexpensive permanent augers take a lot of the work out of the installation process. These units are designed to be left under the ice all year, creating a permanent underwater base.
3. Shallow water depth: The deeper you go, the tougher it is to install your dock. We love to sell long docks and putting in a dock in eight feet of water is definitely doable, but realistically, three to four feet of water is enough for any inland lake boat. Because you’re likely installing your dock when the water is still cold, deeper than four feet will be above your waders and will cause a lot of discomfort. Better still, in three or four feet of water, the uprights are short and stable, and you won’t need additional diagonal bracing.

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 has been 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. 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.

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.

Upgrades to Your Boat to Make in the Off-season

Does your boat need repairs or upgrades?

Do you tend to put off your to-do list all summer? The offseason is the perfect time to take care of cleaning, repairs, and any upgrades your boat needs while in storage.

If any of the gauges on your dash are over 10 years old, you may want to consider replacing them. If you need to replace them yourself rather than having your boat serviced by a professional, make sure you take a photo of the dash first so you can remember the position of even gauge. Use extreme caution working with wires and electrical components.

Secondly, the safety lighting on your boat should be a top priority! Keep your passengers safe and navigation easier when you add marine lights to your boat.

Finally, the offseason is the perfect time to replace that old, wooden boat dock with a shiny new aluminum boat dock! We’ve got high quality dock sections to fit any style and color, and we can provide tips for dock installation too!

Read the full article about dock installation and off-season boat maintenance tips on our website!

At Alumi-Span Docks, we pride ourselves on being a name people trust. Since 1956, we’ve manufactured our products using quality methods and materials, that’s why many Alumi-Span aluminum boat docks are still in use after more than 50 years!

Whether it's a complete boat dock system or the individual components, we have what you need to get back out on the water with peace of mind. Call us today at 855-523-2444!

Repairing, Rebuilding, and Replacing Boat Parts

Missing your boat during this long Midwestern winter? We can relate!

To cure your winter blues, take this time to repair, replace, or rebuild boat parts that may have been neglected over the summer or are due for upgrades:

1. Replace old hoses and clamps.
2. Double check hatch gaskets that are normally tucked away in small areas of your boat.
3. Avoid any accidents or citations during the boating season by replacing or repairing any broken navigation lights.
4. Look at your boat dock while it’s in storage. Do any sections need to be replaced? What about giving it a good scrub? When dock installation time comes in the spring, you’ll be glad you took care of any upkeep beforehand.

Read the full article about off-season boat maintenance tasks to tackle before dock installation on our website!

Considering an Upgrade Before Dock Installation Time?

After you’ve made needed repairs and upgrades to your boat, it may also be time to upgrade your boat dock before dock installation time! Docks were made to create more time on the water, not less! If you want a durable dock you don’t have to worry about, an aluminum boat dock might be right for you.

At Alumi-Span Docks, we pride ourselves on being a name people trust. Since 1956, we’ve manufactured our products using quality methods and materials, that’s why many Alumi-Span aluminum boat docks are still in use after more than 50 years!

Whether it's a complete boat dock system or the individual components, we have what you need to get back out on the water with peace of mind. Call us today at 855-523-2444!

Helpful Aluminum Boat Dock Accessories and Ideas for Camp Directors

Are you a summer camp director or coordinator and want to make outdoor fun more accessible for campers?

Have you considered adding a large aluminum boat dock or patio?

Large docks offer more than just swimming – fishing, sunbathing, and picnics are great options for kids to spend some time outside soaking up the sun.

To make sure everyone’s able to enjoy the dock, consider these accessories and upgrades:

1. Install ladders to make swimming easy
2. Use guardrails to make sure everyone stays safe
3. Consider ADA-compliant ramps to help those in wheelchairs or with walkers to access the dock safely
4. Use slip-resistant decking
   

Other equipment to have on hand are life jackets, fishing equipment, dock furniture like chairs and tables, and for nighttime excursions, consider dock lighting.

Learn more on our website about aluminum boat docks!

Did you know many Alumi-Span boat docks are still in use after more than 50 years?

With the high quality and dependability of Alumi-Span, it's no wonder so many property owners in Michigan have selected our aluminum boat docks over the years. In Detroit and the surrounding areas, we have built a reputation you can depend on, too.

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.

Summer Camp Aluminum Boat Dock Ideas

Are you a camp or park director?

Do you have access to a river or lake?

Want to make it more accessible for campers of all ages?

Summer camps are great educational resources and camp directors and counselors provide great opportunities for kids to learn about nature, the outdoors, fishing, swimming, and more.

If you want to offer more opportunities for kids to enjoy the water, a large dock or dock patio with walkway systems may be the perfect solution.

Read the full article about aluminum boat docks for summer camps on our website!

Dock design is an important part of the dock building process. A large, rectangular shape is easy to build and functional, but does it really serve your needs, or could you have something more unique? Customize your dock for your space and your needs and try our dock designer!

Why ALUMI-SPAN® For Aluminum Docks?

Since 1956, Alumi-Span has been 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. Best of all, Alumi-Span means "Made in America." Forget cut rate boat docks or the cheap Chinese parts normally found on the internet. Many Alumi-Span boat docks are still in use after more than 50 years!

With the high quality and dependability of Alumi-Span, it's no wonder so many property owners in Michigan have selected our aluminum boat docks over the years. In Detroit and the surrounding areas, we have built a reputation you can depend on, too.

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