Feb 7, 2018
Aluminum Decking – Your Guide to Decking options
Aluminum decking may be the best choice for dock decking. It requires no maintenance. Aluminum does not rot, decay, warp, or twist. It only needs cleaning as you see fit.
This article is the 2nd of a 3 part series discussing the decking available from ShoreMaster.
Part 1 covered the various types of Wood Decking available. Section 3 includes the latest plastic and composite deckings available.
Aluminum Decking
Aluminum can be powder coated with several different patterns and colors.
What are the other advantages of aluminum?
Here’s a list of aluminum advantages:
- Aluminum remains cool in sunlight;
- Lightweight decking;
- It comes in several different colors and patterns;
- Virtually maintenance free and durable; Plus
- It will not rust, twist or warp over the life of the dock.
Compare Aluminum to Other Decking Materials
Aluminum remains lighter weight than wood, composite, or plastic decking. This weight makes it easier to remove the decking for seasonal storage.
Among all the choices for decking, aluminum remains one of the best. It will not rot or decay. With powder coating, aluminum provides the best finish durability vs. other decking choices.
What are some of the colors available in aluminum?
ShoreMaster Aluminum Decking Color Choices
Anodized aluminum decking – a worry free, maintenance free way to deck your dock.
Anodized decking is used on dock systems for access to the water for work as opposed to recreation.
All ShoreMaster aluminum panels have treads to provide you with a safe, slip-resistant surface. Aluminum remains comfortable even in the heat.
What colors and patterns are available for aluminum?
White Painted Aluminum
Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster – White
ShoreMaster’s white painted aluminum decking has been the standard for many years. It adds years of worry free, maintenance free enjoyment to your lake experience.
You’ll never have to worry about applying stain or finish to keep it looking great. Occasional rinsing off is the only thing needed to keep it looking new.
Powder coated in brilliant white, you’ll get a clean, modern looking surface. Plus, it stays cool to the touch even on warm summer days. Heat dissipates faster from aluminum decking than from wood.
Aluminum deck panels have treads to provide you a safe, slip-resistant surface.
Tan Painted Aluminum
Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster – Tan
ShoreMaster’s tan painted aluminum decking has replaced white as the most popular aluminum color.
Aluminum decking provides a maintenance-free deck which makes lake living carefree. Powder coated in natural tan, it gives you an attractive surface to compliment your waterfront property.
Tan aluminum decking stays cool to the touch. You can enjoy every summer day on your dock – without burning your feet.
Next – NEW – Woodgrain Painted Aluminum
Natural Woodgrain Decking
Natural wood traditionalists now have something to cheer.
You no longer have to give up the benefits of aluminum to enjoy the natural look of wood. Consider upgrading your wood decking choice to ShoreMaster’s NEW Wood Grain Aluminum Decking.
Gray Oak Woodgrain Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster
For traditionalists, the wood look is a must. ShoreMaster has aluminum panels in several wood patterns and colors. Get the best of both worlds with the NEW wood-grained aluminum panels.
Aluminum can be powder coated in a natural, realistic wood grain pattern. You get all the benefits of aluminum with the look of natural wood. Plus, you’ll have none of the work of wood.
Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster- Natural Woodgrain
Summary
ShoreMaster leads the industry with a choice of eight different decking options. It’s a great way to update your existing dock too.
Contact Pier & Waterfront Solutions to see all the ShoreMaster decking options for yourself.
Reminder
Pier & Waterfront Solutions specializes in ShoreMaster docks, lifts, both residential and commercial. We service the rest.
Located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57. PWS is 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the intersection of Idlewild Road. Our staff is ready to help you anytime.
Want us to address a dock or boat lift topic for you? Feel free to give us a call.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or email him at Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
Feb 5, 2018
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO DECKING OPTIONS – (Part 1)
Written by ShoreMaster Marketing Updated by Pier & Waterfront Solutions LLC
Wood decking is one of the many ShoreMaster options available for docks. In fact, they offer so many decking choices that it can be hard to grasp which option best fits your needs.
This first of three articles discusses the types of wood decking available from ShoreMaster – namely Cedar and IPE wood decking.
In Part 2 of the series, the topic will be the types of aluminum decking available. Finally, in the third part of the series, the topic will be the latest plastic and composite decking types.
How to choose the Right Wood Decking for your dock?
Some dock manufacturers are very limited in their decking options. This is a blessing to a dealer because it limits their on-hand inventory. At the same time, limited decking choices affect your ability to get the best choice for your needs.
With ShoreMaster decking you are not limited to one or two choices. or the few choices the dealer chooses to tell you about. Remember, Pier Waterfront Solutions LLC has access to the widest range of decking choices anywhere. This is a major positive for you as a dock owner.
Decking represents 25% – 50% of the total cost of a dock system
With this realization in mind, initial decking cost is obviously an important aspect when choosing decking for a dock system.
Plus, no element on any dock system connects closer to the dock user than the decking. The number of deck choices available to you remains the most important factor when purchasing that new dock.
You may be surprised to learn that initial cost is only a small factor in the total cost over the lifespan of the deck.
Considering Wood Decking For Your Dock System?
For traditionalists (or people on a budget), wood decking is the only way to go. It usually is the least expensive and natural looking product available.
Wood contains natural oils and tannins to resist rot, decay, and insects. As a result, natural wood does not need dangerous or harmful chemicals to prevent rotting.
Many dock owners like the look and feel of natural wood decking on their dock. At the same time, it’s important to note that wood decking requires more maintenance than aluminum, composite or plastic decking.
How much maintenance does natural wood require?
Pressure Washing to clean wood decking
In general, the recommendation for maintaining natural. unfinished wood decking is to power wash your decking annually. With a finish applied to wood, expect to clean and apply a fresh coat of finish every three to four years to keep it looking good. Now the cost is starting to add up.
Other Considerations
When choosing wood decking, it’s important to remember that wood decking will absorb the sun’s rays and become very warm to the touch on hot days. At times it may actually get uncomfortable to walk on it. On the flip side, wood decking will generally feel nice and warm on cooler days with any amount of sunshine.
Keep in mind that wood decking retains that heat longer than any aluminum or plastic decking.
Deciding between Hardwood Decking and Softwood Decking For Your Dock
Wood is a great natural looking and durable decking material for your dock system. Pier & Waterfront Solutions LLC offers two types of wood decking for your dock – IPE, which is a tropical hardwood, and Red Cedar, a softwood.
IPE Decking by ShoreMaster
The first thing that you are likely to notice the difference between hardwoods and softwoods is the price.
Hardwoods take longer to grow than softwoods, and as a result, it costs more for the hardwood materials. Another difference – is the density or the hardness of each material. Because hardwoods take longer to grow, the wood is denser. This makes hardwoods heavier than softwoods.
Softwoods grow quicker than hardwoods, so the wood becomes less dense and lighter. This makes it easier to cut and drill than hardwoods. Softwoods such as red cedar have varying levels of hardness and resistance to insects and decay.
What does this mean for the durability of the softwoods?
Durability is related to the amount of heartwood on the boards. Heartwood grows near the center of the tree, which makes it harder, and more resistant to insects and decay based on the amount of Sapwood in the section.
Sapwood grows near the outer part of the tree which means it is a bit softer and more susceptible to decay due to its lack of density. Red Cedar decking from ShoreMaster is carefully selected to contain less sapwood to prolong the life of the wood. This results in your decking becoming less susceptible to early weatherization and insects.
Whether you choose a hardwood or a softwood deck for your dock, you’ll be glad to know that each type of wood contains natural oils and tannins to help protect it from insects and decay. Both kinds of wood require about the same amount of maintenance each year to keep their natural appearance.
With no stain or finish applied, you still need to power wash your wood decking annually to keep it looking beautiful. Both IPE hardwoods and red cedar softwoods will weather to a silver-gray color with no stain or finish applied to the wood. Eventually, some areas of the decking will turn darker colors, even a gray-black with no yearly maintenance. See this article to see why this is true: https://wisconsinpws.com/cleaning-wood-decking/
Cedar Wood Decking
Cedar Wood Decking from ShoreMaster
When ShoreMaster sources cedar decking from its suppliers, they search for boards that contain more heartwood than sapwood. This makes your cedar decking less susceptible to insects and decay. This way you can be confident that your cedar decking will resist decay and remain safe. It also looks great on your shoreline.
To most dock owners, nothing feels better on your bare feet than the soft, warm, natural beauty of red cedar decking.
IPE Wood Decking
IPE Hardwood Decking from ShoreMaster
When it comes to Hardwood decking, nothing beats ShoreMaster’s IPE hardwood decking. ShoreMaster’s IPE hardwood adds a sense of stability to your dock. It feels incredibly firm underfoot because of its natural hardness and density. It looks great and provides a gentle, natural wood feel on your bare feet.
IPE, being a hardwood, is denser than and heavier than Cedar decking. It has the added benefit of resistance to being blown out of the dock by wind or waves due to it’s added weight.
All wood decking can be a problem on large bodies of water when waves beat against the bottom of the decking. With few open areas to relieve the pressure, it becomes prone to being washed out of the frames.
For natural beauty, nothing beats natural wood.
Reminder
Pier & Waterfront Solutions specializes in ShoreMaster docks, lifts, and accessories both residential and commercial. We service the rest.
PWS is located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57. Located 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and South of Sturgeon Bay at the intersection of Idlewild Road. Our staff is ready to help you anytime.
Want us to address a dock or boat lift topic for you? Feel free to give us a call.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or email him at Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
Jul 18, 2017
Plastic Decking is a Major Investment
Plastic decking on a dock or deck is a major portion of the your investment. It makes sense to take time to maintain it properly. This is particularly important on marine structures vulnerable to the elements. All plastic decking requires some yearly maintenance to remain attractive for years to come.
What causes my Plastic Decking to appear dirty?
Mold/mildew is the common term used to describe a growth on the surface of matter. It’s caused by fungi, especially in the presence of dampness. Under a microscope, mold has an octopus-like structure. Its legs attach to a surface in a web-like manner. Once mold has successfully colonized, it releases thousands of new spores over and over again. This growth makes your plastic decking appear dirty.
What makes the mold grow?
Mold needs three things to grow:
- Food, (Leftovers from a bird’s diet and their “droppings” provide the “menu” mold needs to thrive.)
- Moisture (rainwater and people walking on the dock) and
- Temperate weather.
When the spores are in the favorable environment described above, they will germinate. The spores settle out of the air or are deposited by rainwater and wet feet. As a result, they will be more prevalent on horizontal surfaces (like your dock panels). The colonies do not migrate, but rather establish colonies and release even more spores.
Plastic decking is inorganic but nature deposits “food” and moisture in the form of rainwater. Birds deposit further nutrients and even you carry moisture, suntan lotions and dirt from the environment and deposit it on the decking.
While plastic surfaces appear sleek and impermeable, plastic decking still cannot escape the mold/mildew cycle. Plastic decking needs to be cleaned at least once/year. This is particularly true with HDPE plastic decking (usually recycled, solid plastic boards) used as plastic decking,
How can I clean the mold and other dirt off my decking without chemicals?
We all know that we must avoid introducing pollutants, including soaps and cleaning products into our waterways. Still, you do have an option.
With Plastic Decking it usually is not necessary to use ANY chemical cleaners. If you must use a cleaner be sure to use natural biodegradable cleaning solutions that removes buildup without damaging the environment.
Using a Pressure Washer on Plastic Decking makes it super easy to clean
Note – In all cases, the use of safety gloves, face masks or eye protection is highly recommended. Bare feet and hands are very vulnerable to pressure washers and chemicals. Serious injury can occur.
Remember- No chemicals are needed with a pressure washer on Plastic Decking.
With a pressure washer, use a “fan” nozzle with a 20 – 40 degree tip to reduce the pressure. Never use more than 1800# of pressure. The less pressure at the sprayer head, generally the better.
Sweeping across plastic decking in either direction is very effective even without the use of chemicals.
Hand scrubbing
Using a hand brush with natural or plastic bristles and a commercially available product like “OxiClean” is a safe way to wash the decking. “OxiClean” breaks down to oxygen, water and soda ash so it won’t harm the environment. “OxiClean” uses oxygen ions to neutralize stains and dirt.
Many scrub brushes allow you to use a pole handle. This way you do not have to kneel down and it will be more comfortable for you.
Do not press so hard that the bristle bend to the side as the real cleaning takes place at the ends of the bristles. If there is a wood-like or knurled pattern in the decking surface try to follow that direction. This allows you to get deeper into the grooves with less effort.
Get into the deck spacing as far as possible to make the decking look even better. Before the decking dries, rinse the decking with clear water.
If the product you plan to use has oxalic acid (very corrosive) or chlorine bleach we strongly recommend that you do not use it. It is not biodegradable and It could also get you a major fine from the DNR.
As an extra caution, check the label of any product you plan to use to see if it contains harmful ingredients like hypochlorite bleach.
Remember
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) is located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57, south of Sturgeon Bay at the intersection of Idlewild Road. Our staff looks forward to serving all of your waterfront needs.
Found this article helpful? Go to “NEWS” on any page of our website for a complete list of articles meant to keep you informed on the latest product information and maintenance issues. Check out our “older entries” also.
The wide variety of articles on dock and boat lifts issues will answer many of your questions. PWS believes that an informed consumer makes better decisions.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
. Coming Soon – “The PWS Store” on our website.
Mar 12, 2017
Plastic Decking is a Major Investment
The plastic decking on a dock is a major portion of the dock investment. It does take time and effort to maintain it properly. This is particularly important on marine structures vulnerable to the elements. Most plastic decking requires yearly maintenance to appear attractive for years to come.
Why does my decking appear to be dirty and what causes it?
Mold/mildew is the common term used to describe a growth on the surface of matter. It’s caused by fungi, especially in the presence of dampness. Under a microscope, mold has an octopus-like structure. Its legs attach to a surface in a web-like manner. Once a mold has successfully colonized, it releases thousands of new spores. This growth makes your deck appear dirty over and over again, making your deck appear dirty.
What makes the mold grow?
Molds need three things to grow:
- Food,
- Moisture and
- Temperate weather.
When the spores are in a favorable environment, they will germinate. The spores settle out of the air or are deposited by rainwater and wet feet. As a result, they will be more prevalent on horizontal surfaces (like your decking panels). The colonies do not migrate, but rather establish colonies and release even more spores.
Plastic decking is inorganic but nature deposits “food” and moisture in the form of rainwater. Birds deposit further nutrients and you carry moisture, suntan lotions and dirt from the environment and deposit it on the decking.
While plastic surfaces appear sleek and impermeable, plastic docks still cannot escape the mold/mildew cycle. Docks still need to be cleaned with regularity. This is particularly true with HDPE plastic decking (usually recycled, solid plastic boards.)
Without damaging the environment, how can I clean the mold and common dirt off of my plastic decking?
We all know that we must avoid introducing pollutants, including soaps and most other commercially available cleaning products into our waterways. Still, you do have some options.
Cleaning methods for Plastics
Note – In all cases mentioned here the use of safety gloves, face masks and eye protection is highly recommended.
Use a natural biodegradable cleaning solution that removes buildup without damaging the decking material or the environment.
Among your choices are:
- Use a Pressure washer; or
- Hand scrub the decking with a commercially available bio-degradable cleaner like “OxiClean”
- NEVER use chlorine bleach
Pressure washers require patience and care
The use of a pressure washer must be done carefully even though there is no “grain” involved in the decking. Too much pressure when spraying can cause physical damage to the decking material.
Never allow the pressure head to get closer than 12 inches to the surface. Use a “fan” nozzle with a 20 degree tip to reduce the pressure. Never use more than 1800# of pressure. The less pressure at the sprayer head, generally the closer you can get to the surface.
Hand scrubbing
Using a hand brush with natural or plastic bristles and a commercially available product like “OxiClean” is a safer way to wash the decking. “OxiClean” breaks down to oxygen, water and soda ash so it won’t harm the environment. OxiClean uses oxygen ions to neutralize stains and dirt.
Many scrub brushes allow you to use a pole handle so you do not have to kneel down and it will be more comfortable for you. Do not press so hard that the bristle bend to the side as the real cleaning takes place at the ends of the bristles. If there is a wood like pattern in the decking surface try to follow that direction. This allows you to get deeper into the grooves with less effort.
Get into the deck spacing as far as possible to make the decking look even better. Before the decking dries, rinse the decking with clear water.
If the product you choose has oxalic acid (very corrosive) or chlorine bleach we strongly recommend that you do not use it because it is not bio-degradable. It could also get you a major fine from the DNR.
As an extra caution check the label of any product you plan to use to see if it contains harmful ingredients like hypochlorite bleach. ALWAYS use the smallest concentration to do the job while observing safety protocols.
Found this article helpful? Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information. Also go to “NEWS” on any page of our website for a complete list of articles meant to keep you informed on the latest product information and maintenance issues.
Feb 2, 2021
Top Signs You Need a New Dock
Time for a new Dock? Piers and docks that are more than ten years old may show some signs of wear or damage. Without proper maintenance, your dock system may not look or perform properly. Remember, it is possible to repair minor damage at a reasonable cost.
New Dock Needed
Be sure to contact Pier & Waterfront Solutions for an inspection if you have damage and you aren’t sure what repairs to make.
If your dock is getting dangerous, unsteady, replacement may be the only option.
Here are the five signs that you should think about when investing in a brand new pier.
Widespread Rust
Some metals exposed to water will rust. Small amounts of rust can be an easy fix. If possible, replace or repair an individual part before it gets out of control.
Larger rust areas could spread, which can lead to structural failure in the future. In cases like these, a completely new pier might be necessary.
Aluminum docks made of durable, rustproof metal are more resistant to rust than others. Aluminum is an option when considering upgrading or replacing a failing wood dock.
Wood Rot
Wooden docks can rot when the water has been allowed to seep in. Moss, mildew, algae, and other growth can trap moisture in a wood dock, worsening the problem. You can solve or prevent this problem by keeping your pier clean and well maintained.
If the damage involves minor areas, replace the components with new, treated lumber. But, when several locations are rotting, it’s time to replace your dock.
Consider replacing a wooden dock with different materials. Those materials include aluminum painted to look like wood. These are some of the premium ShoreMaster decking options.
Cracking or Warping Dock Supports
Certain support materials can become cracked or warped thanks to pressure from waves.
Accidents can also happen. If a boat or a large floating object hits the pier, cracks may appear on the legs or structural components. PWS can make the repairs.
But, stay safe, replace the entire structure when significant damage occurs. If the damage involves the legs or critical structural components, it may be time to replace the whole section or structure.
Tip: Prevent damage from boat collisions – install bumpers on the perimeter of your pier.
Damaged Foundation
Permanent docks sit on posts that support the pier. Assessing the damage below the waterline is difficult. Repairing it requires specialized equipment. PWS can help.
Pier foundations are subject to shifts causing severe damage. Any cracking is a sign that further investigation and possibly replacement is necessary.
Contact Pier & Waterfront Solutions for an inspection.
Can’t Secure the legs Properly?
Permanent dock systems have supports to hold them up. Supports are driven into the ground until it hits a stable area for stability. In some cases, depths reached can be as much as 100 feet.
A floating pier might be a good option if you do not encounter large waves. The advantage of a floating dock is that it compensates for changing water levels as they occur.
In some cases, a floating dock can remain in the water throughout the winter months IF there is no ice movement. The pier may be released from its shore anchor points in small harbors, moved into deeper water, and tied off. The pier is allowed to float with any minor ice movement, but it stays secured until spring.
Custom Boat Docking Systems by PWS.
If it’s time to replace or upgrade your boat docking system, PWS can help.
PWS has helped many shoreline owners find their perfect dock and boat lift solution.
Need a repair, a completely new pier or boat lift system, or the ideal accessory? PWS‘s customer support team can help.
Contact Pier & Waterfront Solutions for more information. We know what works best for your area.
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
PWS, 7325 St. Hwy 57, is 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay and 1 mile PAST County road MM’s intersection (heading north). Look on the right at the intersection of Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
ARE WE OPEN?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open” year-round.
Please use face masks
The virus continues to spread. PWS is conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
Site visits continue as usual. When making in-person contacts, we follow “social distancing” guidelines whenever possible.
Our display yard is OPEN 24-7
Red Tag
PWS‘s display area is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. Want more information on something you saw in our yard? Please reference that number when you inquire.
PWS provides estimates and quotes by email to make the process faster, safer, and paperless.
Call, message, or email us with any questions.
Thank you for allowing us to work with you safely.
Let’s all stay safe!
