The Lifespan of an Aluminum Lake Dock
When you make an investment in something, you want it to give you returns for as long as possible. It’s Personal Finance 101: when you put money toward something, you want to maximize the value that you get our of your investment.
You’ll see this in practice all around you, too. Common financial wisdom suggests that you buy a house instead of renting, buy a washing machine instead of go to the laundromat, and even take care of your health now so you don’t have to pay medical bills later. Surprisingly, though, you might not see this same attitude toward investments in lake docks. Despite their inferior lifespan likelihood for damage, wooden docks are still a surprisingly popular choice for homeowners everywhere. Well, here at Pier Perfection, we believe in smart spending; that’s why we’re taking this month’s blog post to discuss why aluminum docks are a smart investment.
Why Wooden Docks Don’t Last Long-Term
Before we tackle the benefits of aluminum docks, we want to explore why wooden docks just aren’t up to snuff these days. Well, you might be surprised to learn that this isn’t a recent problem. In fact, wooden docks have always had significant issues—but before aluminum docks, there weren’t many other alternatives. So, what is it, exactly, that makes wooden docks a worse investment?
Wooden Docks Rot. Simply put, wooden docks rot with time. Due to their wood planks, water will seep in with time and bloat the wood, causing it to rot and require replacement.
Wooden Docks Warp. Warping is another major concern for wooden docks. As temperatures change and water saturates the dock, each wooden plank will warp and contort in different ways, making them uneven and possibly even unfit for use.
Wooden Docks Require More Upkeep. For the reasons listed above (and more), wooden docks require a lot more upkeep than aluminum docks. You may need to replace certain planks (time-consuming and costly) and they’re also very heavy, which makes taking them in and out of the water a long and difficult chore.
Why Aluminum Docks Last Longer
With the many issues that wooden lake docks face, it’s easy to see why aluminum docks are considered a much more sound investment. That said, the value of aluminum docks doesn’t just come the fact that they’re not wooden—they have unique benefits of their own.
Aluminum Docks Stay Cool. If you’ve ever looked at an aluminum dock in the summer sun and thought that it must be hot, then you’ve probably never been on an aluminum dock. Unlike wood, aluminum absorbs very little heat from the sun, making it a much more comfortable surface to walk on.
Aluminum Doesn’t Warp, Rot, or Rust. Aluminum is surprisingly robust, and can resist the damages of time and water for a lifetime (or more) with even minimal maintenance.
Aluminum is Lightweight. Despite its strength and resilience, aluminum docks are surprisingly lightweight. Moving them in and out of the water is much easier than wooden docks, which are heavy and can even splinter in your hands.
Aluminum Lake Docks Are the Safe Investment
If you want to save money over time while maximizing your experience on the water, then an aluminum lake dock may be the right choice for you. For more information or to speak to a lake dock professional, click here to contact our team at Pier Perfection today!
