Floating docks are a cost-effective way for you to customize your lakefront property and give you access to the water. Docks can be installed in any body of water, whether it’s a small pond, large lake, or bay. Floating docks are versatile structures that allow you to create a safe and secure backyard lakefront that meets your needs. There are many different types of floating docks available on the market today depending on your personal preferences and budget. Read below to learn more about the benefits of owning a floating dock, how they work, and the different options available to you.
What are Floating Docks?
A floating dock is any type of dock that is designed for water access and can be anchored or moored to the shoreline or a fixed structure. Floating docks come in a variety of styles and can be made from a variety of materials, each with different benefits. Floating docks are also referred to as “floating piers” or “floating finger piers.” They’re all essentially the same thing, just different names for different types of docks. A floating dock is different from a fixed dock, which is fixed to the structure and cannot be moved. A floating dock is designed to be anchored to a fixed structure such as a pier, wharf, or seawall with either ropes or cables. In some cases, they can be moored to the shoreline with a specialized anchor like a suction anchor or a mushroom anchor.
Benefits of Owning a Floating Dock
First, they’re a great space-saving option, as the dock doesn’t take up space on your shoreline. This is especially true if you live in a shoreline area with limited space. Floating docks can be installed in a wide variety of bodies of water that have enough depth for them including ponds, lakes, rivers, and bays. Floating docks also provide easy access to the water. If you want to get in the water for swimming, fishing, or just lounging around, you can do so without having to walk down a long walkway or ramp to get there. Plus, if you have small children or pets, a floating dock can help provide easier access to the water. On The Water Designs has been building a strong reputation building and installing docks and marine systems throughout Ontario since 2000. If you are just starting to look for ideas, check out their designs online.
How do Floating Docks Work?
Floating docks are designed for water access, but you can use them for shoreline access as well. The most common type of floating dock is a floating walkway. These are built with a walkway that’s supported by a series of floating platforms that are connected to a fixed structure like a pier or wharf. In order to create a floating dock, you will need to select a floating structure to connect to a fixed structure. Once you’ve selected the floating structure, you can then select a fixed structure to connect it to. A floating structure must be anchored to the fixed structure with a series of ropes or cables in order to create a floating dock.
Types of Floating Docks
There are many different types of floating docks. The type you should choose depends on the setup you want, the amount of space you have available, and the type of water you want to use it in. Some of the more common types of floating docks include:
Floating walkways – These are the most common type of floating dock. They come in a variety of sizes and styles and are designed to be connected to a fixed structure like a pier or wharf.
Fixed walkways – Fixed walkways are permanently attached to the shoreline. They’re great for shoreline areas that don’t have space for a floating walkway. Fixed walkways are a long, wide ramp that extends from the shoreline to the water.
Floating piers – Floating piers are great for fishing or swimming right off the shoreline. They are shorter than floating walkways so they don’t extend as far out into the water.
Fixed piers – Fixed piers are permanently fixed to the shoreline and are used for activities such as sitting on the water or mooring a boat near the shoreline.
Installing a Floating Dock
Installing a floating dock can be done by a do-it-yourself homeowner, or you can hire a professional to do it for you. Generally, a floating dock installation takes 1-2 days to complete. The amount of time it takes can depend on the size of the dock and the amount of equipment needed to install it. When installing a floating dock, you want to make sure you have the correct measurements for where you want to install it. You also want to make sure the water is deep enough for the type of dock you want to install. You can check this by using a depth finder. Before installing your floating dock, you want to make sure the water is clear of any debris. You’ll want to remove any plant growth, algae, and other debris from the water before installing a dock. This will help ensure the dock lasts longer and you don’t have to do any cleaning maintenance on it.
Floating docks are a great way to customize your lakefront property and give you access to the water, whether you’re swimming, fishing, or just lounging around. They can be installed in any body of water, whether it’s a small pond, large lake, or bay. Floating docks are versatile structures that allow you to create a safe and secure backyard lakefront that meets your needs.
