Wood Dock vs Aluminum Dock. Do you know the difference between a wood dock and an aluminum dock? You need to decide between the two, but you just aren’t sure which one is the right one for you. Knowing the difference between the two will help you make the right decision. We’re going to tell you about the types of boat docks and then let you make the judgment call based on the information we present here.

Wood Boat Docks

For ages, wood has been the go-to choice for boat docks. Wood docks natural beauty shines through. Also helping its popularity is its sturdiness and durability. Let’s go into a little more detail about wood boat docks:

1.      Cost of Buying and Maintaining Wood Docks

Wood docks can last several years, hence making them affordable in the long run. The decking makes around 25% to 50% of the total cost of the entire wood dock system. You can choose between treated or untreated wood. However, treated wood will cost you more than untreated wood.

2.      Wood Docks Don’t Age Well

Wood boat docks don’t age as well as other materials used for dock floats. The problem most boat owners run into with wood boat docks that can they can easily rot, crack, warp, and splinter. Wood can also attract insects, which can further damage your wood dock. Most of the problems you encounter with wood docks stem from its placement on water. Wood and moisture don’t mix. Damaged wood docks can become a hazard for boat dock owners.

3.      Routine Maintenance

You can prevent the issues we just told you about routine maintenance. Without routine maintenance, the chances of your wood dock surviving are less. Apply protective coating to seal your wood and contact a pressure washing service to remove mold and mildew from your boat dock.

Although you can wash the wood yourself, contact a professional, as wood is softer and can get easily damaged if you don’t know what you’re doing. We also recommend lubricating all the moving components of wooden docks.

4.      Heavy

Wood boat docks are heavier than other types of materials. When wet, they become heavier.

Aluminum Boat Docks

Aluminum boat docks are rust-resistant and can withstand inclement weather and water. They’re lightweight, yet durable than wood boat docks. Here’s what you need to know about buying aluminum boat docks:

1.      Durable

Aluminum docks won’t corrode or rust over time. You’ll need to perform routine maintenance to maintain them. Insects don’t want anything to do with metal docks. You also won’t run into any warping or splintering problems.

2.      Installation

Aluminum boat docks require a professional installer. If not installed properly, it can cause instability.

3.      Unusual Design

Since most boat owners will go with wood dock floats, choosing an aluminum boat dock will make your boat dock stand out from the rest.

4.      Cost and Maintenance

Although aluminum boat docks cost more than wood docks, maintaining them costs less.

Wood Dock vs Aluminum Dock. Still unsure of the type of boat dock you should get? You can contact EZ Dock Texas at 800-654-8168 for a quote if you live in Texas, Oklahoma, or New Mexico.