A Guide to Choosing the Right Materials for Your Dock

There are a few major decisions you’ll have to make when it comes to creating a custom dock for your waterfront property. Choosing the right materials is one of them. With so many options to consider, it can be challenging to wade through the differences and decide which is best for you.

To break down the decision-making process, here are some questions to ask yourself.

• What is your comfort level with maintenance?
• How concerned are you about durability?
• What type of aesthetic do you prefer?
• Is cost a major factor?

In addition to these questions, consider things like ease of installation and the winterization process. You’ll want to remove your dock for the winter months, so it’s helpful to decide now how painful (or painless!) you want to make that process.

Choosing Your Dock Hardware and Materials

Once you’ve given some thought to these questions, then you can look at your options. For example, if you don’t want to spend every summer staining your deck, perhaps opt for a maintenance-free material like aluminum. Similarly, if you want to prioritize long-lasting materials, consider rust-resistant dock hardware solutions. There are numerous kinds of dock materials on the market, so choosing which is right for you comes down to a matter of preference.

Getting Started with Your Custom Dock Design

Many people begin their dock construction process without truly giving thought to their needs and priorities. Streamline your search by knowing what you want first. Then, go out and customize it.

At RDS Dock Hardware, we offer custom dock solutions for all types of shoreline conditions. We can help you evaluate all design possibilities and match appropriate materials and hardware to deliver long-lasting dock durability. Get in touch with us to learn more or fill out our custom dock design quote form to get started today.