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.

Boat Dock Parts for Your Custom Boat Dock

Do you love customizing your property?

Are you thoughtful about your outdoor space as well as your indoor space?

Why not customize your boat dock?

Here are some checklist items to keep in mind:

1. Demand: Make sure you know the demands on your space! Design your custom dock based on purpose, climate, and weather. It may be that a dock feature you love isn’t really suitable for your property or the main purpose of the dock.
2. Features: Be well read when it comes to boat dock features so you can include everything you want! You’ll need to think about the type of dock (fixed or floating), lighting, seating, slips, covers, platforms, and more.
3. Future Use: Consider what’s in store for future use of your dock, not just what you’re using it for today. If you’re using quality boat dock parts in your custom design, the dock will be around for many years to come. Leave room for a growing family or expanding fleet in your plans.  

Custom boat docks have so much to offer and can be an incredibly rewarding investment! If you’re looking for help making your custom boat dock dream a reality, give us a call! We’re happy to take you step-by-step through the entire design and building process, or guide you in the right direction to quality boat dock parts.

You can also use our dock design tool to see what your dock will look like before you invest in dock sections and other boat dock parts.

With 62 years of experience selling top quality boat docks, sections and accessories made in America, Alumi-Span offers boaters an outstanding product they can rely on. Contact us today to see the Alumi-Span difference!

Guide to Custom Boat Docks

Is your style as far from cookie-cutter as possible?

Why not customize your boat dock?

You want the inside of your home to perfectly match your style and your needs, so the outside of your home should be no different!  

There are many options for a boat dock at your waterfront property, but you don’t want to settle for run of the mill boat dock parts. Before you commit to a decision to go custom with your boat dock, there are a few things you might want to consider!

Read more about customizing your boat dock on our website!

Custom boat docks have so much to offer and can be an incredibly rewarding investment! If you’re looking for help making your custom boat dock dream a reality, give us a call! We’re happy to take you step-by-step through the entire design and building process, or guide you in the right direction to quality boat dock parts.

You can also use our dock design tool to see what your dock will look like before you invest in dock sections and other boat dock parts.

With 62 years of experience selling top quality boat docks, sections and accessories made in America, Alumi-Span offers boaters an outstanding product they can rely on. Contact us today to see the Alumi-Span difference!

How to Choose the Right Dock Sections

Considering building a new boat dock? With so many different types of dock sections to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one.

Why choose vinyl docks?

Our strong vinyl dock design includes a unique center aluminum "U" support to provide a solid feel. These dock sections are much lighter than pine and cooler to walk on. 

Don't fall for super heavy "composite materials" that fade and sag in hot weather. Some competitive docks have lots of holes making them very uncomfortable to walk or lay on. Many vinyl docks squeak - ours doesn't! It's great looking and comes in three colors.

Read more about vinyl dock sections on our website!

Choose Alumi-Span Docks for Vinyl Dock Sections!

If you’re getting ready to build a dock and are trying to figure out what materials are right for you, leave it to the professionals! We have over 60 years of experience building quality docks using only the best materials. Contact Us to learn more about vinyl dock sections and the essential boat dock pars you’ll need to fully enjoy your summer on the water!

Why Choose Vinyl Dock Sections?

You’ve got that perfect piece of lakefront property that’s just right for your own boat. But you need a dock.

Building your own dock can be very rewarding – but it can be a bit stressful. Between all the different types of materials and boat dock parts available, it’s hard to know what’s worth the price for the value you’re going to get.

Different Types of Boat Docks

Some factors you should take into consideration when you’re building a custom boat dock and trying to pick dock sections are:

• The weight of the decking
• Upfront and maintenance costs
• Rotting
• Overall upkeep

If you’re trying to build your own dock on a budget, consider vinyl dock sections. There are several different types of dock sections on the market, but vinyl has consistently proven to provide high quality at low upfront cost. Vinyl boat dock parts are inexpensive and easily replaceable if portions wear out faster than others due to frequent use.

Vinyl decking is less susceptible to warping, rotting, and splinters over time. Vinyl docks also tend to require less maintenance than wood docks, and don’t need to be sanded or refinished.

Read more about vinyl dock sections on our website!

Choose Alumi-Span Docks for Vinyl Dock Sections!

If you’re getting ready to build a dock and are trying to figure out what materials are right for you, leave it to the professionals! We have over 60 years of experience building quality docks using only the best materials. Contact Us to learn more about vinyl dock sections and the essential boat dock pars you’ll need to fully enjoy your summer on the water!

Add Living Space to Your Home with an Outdoor Party Dock

Do you want a space for the whole family on the lake this summer?

For those who don’t want to swim or go on the boat but still want to be near the water, a party dock is a great option. From grilling, to sitting by a firepit, there are so many options for bringing people together this summer.

Homeowners that already have some handyman skills may be able to build their own dock if it’s a smaller floating dock. However, building a dock isn’t an easy process, especially if you don’t have experience with waterfront structures.

More often than not, the best route is to hire a professional. Although it may cost you a bit more upfront, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your dock is secure and properly built. We love and recommend anodized aluminum to nearly all of our customers for its long-lasting quality.

Find out how we can help with your dock design on our website!

Anodized Aluminum Dock Sections: Nothing’s Lighter, Nothing’s Cooler, Nothing’s Stronger

Alumi-Span originated the all-aluminum boat dock in 1956. Don't be fooled by cheaper "non-anodized" units! Unlike some competitive units, our docks are made with a strong alloy and our acid-etched anodizing process will not turn black over time. Our dock boards interlock together and then are fastened with stainless fasteners. Tough adhesive is added to eliminate squeaks and rattles.

We manufacture our products using quality methods and materials, and that’s why many Alumi-Span aluminum boat docks are still in use after more than 50 years!

How to Add a Party Dock to Your Summer Vacation Property

Do you want your lakefront property to be a home away from home this summer?

Are you looking forward to hosting cookouts, family reunions, and having all your friends over to enjoy lake life with you?

Building a party deck or dock platform on your dock can add value to your home. From a small sitting area to space for 20 people, this can be an easy and painless process. 

Many traditional dock platforms use long cross-arms and multiple posts that must be driven in underneath the dock.  These hold the dock up, but there are much easier and more efficient ways to accomplish the look you want.

Read the full article about dock design on our website!

Anodized Aluminum Dock Sections: Nothing’s Lighter, Nothing’s Cooler, Nothing’s Stronger

Alumi-Span originated the all-aluminum boat dock in 1956. Don't be fooled by cheaper "non-anodized" units! Unlike some competitive units, our docks are made with a strong alloy and our acid-etched anodizing process will not turn black over time. Our dock boards interlock together and then are fastened with stainless fasteners. Tough adhesive is added to eliminate squeaks and rattles.

We manufacture our products using quality methods and materials, and that’s why many Alumi-Span aluminum boat docks are still in use after more than 50 years!