May 19, 2020
The Best Boat Dock Decking in Door County
Boat dock decking is no longer a simple piece of wood laid on other pieces of wood. There are many types of materials used on piers and boat docks today.
Today’s options include open-deck plastic, solid plastic boards, aluminum, wood, and various composites.
What’s the most popular decking used today, and why?
Today, wise shoppers choose plastic with the open-deck configuration.
Why?
It’s simple. The best type of decking is a plastic deck. Today’s plastic holds it’s original color (within 3%). It also keeps it’s shape better. Plastics need less maintenance than any of the other types of decking.
Plastic decking requires no staining or painting. The surface does not flake or wear-off, nor does it lose its color with exposure to the UV rays.
Open-decking helps resist the growth of mold and mildew far better than wood or even another plastic deck. Plastic stays cool in the summer, repels rain and dries quickly. About 90% of the moisture runs off immediately while the rest simply evaporates.
What about other types of plastic boat dock decking?
If you are referring to the wood and resin-impregnated boards, over time, the wood fibers swell. The moisture can attract mold and mildew.
How about recycled plastic boards with no fiber in it?
Typical Plank decking
The recycled boards come with their unique problems.
If stored in shaded areas, HDPE plastic boards cannot escape the mold/mildew cycle. See how the mold/mildew cycle develops HERE.
What’s the most important thing about decking?
Recycled decking is an extruded board. That means, when cresting waves hit the bottom of the dock, there is no release for the energy waves produce. The bolted-down boards keep the decking from washing away. But this creates a virtual “solid” surface for the wave’s energy to push against. The frame structure must take all the energy from the wave.
How can you prove this?
Look at a dock that flipped over during a storm. You will notice that the legs bent in the direction that the storm originated.
Solid boards with a 1/2″ gap every 6″ does not relieve the pressure from the waves.
The result is the upward pressure from the waves lifted the pier high enough for it to move sideways. The legs were no longer vertical. They came down at an angle, and the legs bent. The continuing pressure from the waves then pushed the dock over.
Plastic is plastic – isn’t it?
Yes, they are all oil derivatives. But, there are many types of plastic made today. Some are super hard and act as “bearing surfaces,” while others are very pliable.
In general, plastics will outlive us. The shape and surface area of the plastic makes a big difference when it comes to decking.
How do you relieve the upward energy?
The only way to relieve the pressure on the boat dock decking is to provide enough open areas for the wave energy to pass through. 42% open area is the standard today.
At this percentage, almost one-half of the wave energy passes through the decking. The wave is less likely to lift the dock. Yet the decking is strong enough to walk on.
If you combine the most massive steel frame in Door County along with an open deck,
you get the PWS 3-Season Pier.
Don’t Forget – Considering rip-rap for your shoreline? PWS is the place to contact!
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
Located at 7325 St. Hwy 57, it’s 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay, and 1 mile past the intersection of Cty MM (heading north). Look on the right side, one mile north, at the next intersection (Idlewild Road and Hwy 57).
ARE WE OPEN?
During this time of uncertainty, Pier & Waterfront Solutions is staying “open.” We have implemented measures to ensure the safety of our employees and visitors. At the same time, we are working to maintain the trusted service that you have come to expect.
We are implementing these precautionary measures:
1. Conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
2. Site visits will continue but with limited in-person meetings. When in-person contacts are necessary, we will follow “social distancing” guidelines.
3. Our display yard is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays have a numbered, red tag on them. If you want more information or pricing, please reference that number.
4. Some employees are working remotely, but they are always available by phone.
5. Any employee exhibiting symptoms or illness is sent home.
6. We continue to provide estimates and invoices by email to make the process paperless and faster.
7. Crew starting times are being staggered to limit social interactions.
8. We keep the same crews together to limit cross interactions.
With these measures, we hope everyone will stay safe, and we will be back to normal operations soon.
What can YOU do to help us?
1. Please conduct as much business as possible via emails, messaging, and emails. This step protects everyone involved.
2. When you see our crews installing equipment, please practice “social distancing.”
So, YES – WE ARE OPEN!
Thank you for allowing us to work with you.
Please call, message, or email us with any questions.
Let’s all stay safe!
Jan 15, 2019
WHAT DOES A DOCK COST?
That’s the question our sales team is asked all the time. We have the answer to this question – “It depends.”
Seriously though, that’s the truth – because it depends on so many factors. Your answer to these simple questions will help us to determine the cost of your pier:
- Where will it be located?
- The type of lake bottom you have?
- The size of the waves you encounter?
But, not to worry, our sales team knows the Door County peninsula. Our sales team lives and work here. We know what to expect and we will guide you through the process. We have customers on virtually every shoreline on the Door County peninsula.
One of the first questions we ask is “where will it be installed?” This question starts the process by narrowing down the frame construction you need.
You may need a floating dock because the bottom is muddy and the area has no waves. Others need a massive, heavy frame to help hold it in place during a storm.
NEED A DOCK AND NEW TO THE AREA?
Have no idea what to expect? Our list of customers is so extensive, we can look up other docks that we sold in your area. Site visits are very important and we offer them FREE.
Door County is a unique area. There are areas where a wave of 5 inches is considered a big wave. Then, there are areas where 5-foot waves are the norm.
A floating dock will not work in areas with large waves. A stationary or wheel-in dock will not work in a deep, muddy situation. Given these examples, it makes sense that one type of dock may not work in both areas. We have to ask questions to narrow our recommendations down.
To determine your cost we have to look at the three main components: Frame, Decking, and size of your structure.
HOW MANY FRAME CHOICES ARE THERE?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) offers EIGHT frame styles. That’s more choices than anyone else.
Frame choices include:
Aluminum
TS9 (Stationary or Wheel in)
RS7 (Stationary or wheel in)
RS4 (Stationary with Curved frames optional)
FTS9 (Floating)
Poly
Polydock (Floating)
As a one-stop dealer, you’ll find a solution for all your dock & boat lift needs here.
FRAME EXAMPLES
ShoreMaster TS9 Dock
ShoreMaster RS7 and RS4 Curved Dock
RS4 dock & RS4 Curved dock by ShoreMaster
Polydock by ShoreMaster
Create your perfect waterfront experience with the most user-friendly pier on the Door County peninsula. ShoreMaster aluminum dock systems provide exceptional stability and versatile configuration options.
Infinity TS9 Dock Frame
Available in Standing or Wheel-in Configurations
ShoreMaster TS9 Wheel-in Dock
The 9” frame is incredibly sturdy for its weight. It’s great for the rough waters of Green Bay. The truss frame is the most popular dock construction on the bay of Green Bay.
Infinity RS7
ShoreMaster RS7 Standing Dock
Standing or Wheel-in configurations available
RS7 frames are one of the most stable and attractive pier systems on the market.
The 7” frame can be configured to fit nearly any layout you desire. Perfect for a rocky to soft lake bottoms with shallow to moderate water depths.
Infinity RS4
ShoreMaster RS4 dock with Curved Dock Sections
The ShoreMaster Infinity RS4 is highly configurable and durable. RS4 frames are ideally suited for a firm to slightly soft lake bottoms. The 4” frame easily handles shallow to moderate water depths and waves.
Don’t forget – these sections can be combined with the RS4 Curved units for even more configurations.
Floating FTS9
FTS9 Floating Dock
ShoreMasters Floating FTS9 is the perfect choice for, muddy, fluctuating, deep water conditions.
No more having to adjust the pier height during low or high water situations. A stable, floating dock system, it uses premium dock flotation and with a sturdy truss frame. It looks great and requires minimal maintenance
Polydock
ShoreMaster Polydock
Floating Dock Sections
Polydock products help you get out and enjoy your time on the water. It is a floating, low-maintenance system that is functional as well as attractive. Accessories like the Shore Port personal watercraft lifts (https://www.shoremaster.com/lifts/lift-models/shoreport/) and a complete line of accessories are available.
You’ll be enjoying your new Polydock system in no time at all.
As you can see there are MANY options available for your particular needs. Follow up with Part 2 to see your choices in decking.
Looking for more detailed information on dock frames follow this link: https://wisconsinpws.com/piers-docks/
Publication dates:
Part 1 – What does a Dock cost?
2 – What type of decking is available?
3 – Which dock configuration should I choose?
Need Help Planning a Pier System For Your Home or Cottage?
Do you have a friend that may be interested in this information? Please share a link to this page with them.
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay at the Idlewild Road intersection.
Our staff is here year-round to assist you.
