Why Choose Aluminum for Your Lake Dock?

For thousands of years, docks were constructed almost solely out of wood. Except for tools like screws, nails, and rope, almost every dock made in the world was made out of wood or nearby forests. So, when you think about it, the creation of the first all-aluminum boat dock in 1956 is not only extremely recent—it was revolutionary.

That said, if we’ve been using wooden docks for such a long time, what could possibly have given us a reason to switch? Well today, we’re discussing why we used wooden docks for so long and why the world is switching to aluminum.

Why We Used Wooden Docks for So Long

Wood was the ideal source for a wide range of reasons: wood is buoyant, easy to work with and shape, sturdy, and can easily be replaced by using a plank system. But most of all, there’s one thing wood had that almost no other resource had: it was plentiful.

Since wood was such a plentiful resource throughout Europe, the Americas, and Asia, it was also a natural choice for building just about anything—docks included. And today, the same is true. Wood is still a plentiful resource, which is why wooden docks are still a popular choice. Yet, the world is changing as aluminum has become a staple of everyday life.

Why the World is Switching to Aluminum

The simplest way to put it is this: when it comes to docks, aluminum is like wood but better. While aluminum doesn’t feel like wood when you touch it (though there are wood-painted aluminum docks), it has properties that make it ideal as a lake dock. Let’s take a look at a few:

No Water Absorption Means Longevity. Wood soaks in water with time. Even if you treat it, the treatment can wear away, leaching chemicals into the water and saturating the planks. By contrast, aluminum not only resists water, but it doesn’t even rust. As a result, aluminum docks can last for decades longer than wooden ones.

Lightweight Yet Resilient. Wooden docks are surprisingly heavy, making their installation and removal every season difficult. At the same time, wood splinters with time and heats up in the sun, making for a very unpleasant experience on hot days or after a few years of use. Aluminum docks, on the other hand, are even lighter while being much more resilient and not holding in heat.

Resistant to Warping. Wood is also given to warping with time, which means your dock will become uneven and something of a tripping hazard as it ages. Meanwhile, aluminum docks hold their shape until the end and with much less maintenance.

Install an Aluminum Dock This Summer

Summer’s here in Michigan, and that means now is the perfect time to enjoy this beautiful weather and water. For more information on getting an aluminum dock for your home, click here to contact us today!