Do you have a beautiful waterfront property? Maybe your home is on a lake or a river and you have a beautiful view of the water from your bedroom. If this is the case, you may be wondering what you can do to improve your property and you realize you don’t have a small boat or a dock to go fishing in summer. You can buy a small boat, but what do you do about that dock? Understanding the dock installation and building process can help you determine if this is the next home improvement project for you.
Half of your dock will be submerged in water for most of its life, so it’s essential that you take the time to learn about the materials you should be using for the construction. Western red cedar, eastern white cedar, redwood, or cypress are the best type of wood for this project if you’re building a floating dock. However, it’s not ideal for dock posts.
For posts, you’ll need something more durable. Three types of wood that are more reliable and durable are Douglas fir, tamarack, and hemlock. Alternatively, you could use aluminum. It gives the dock a more modern feel, doesn’t require maintenance, and won’t rot.