As the name suggests, floating docks are the docks that float on water. They are not fixed to a single place or rest on wooden pilings but rather move. They are amazing for water bodies with fluctuating levels as they provide easy entry and exit of the boat. You can easily find these items with a boating enthusiast as they let you enjoy playing in the water with ease and comfort.
You can find these docks in multiple colors, sizes, and designs, suiting your vibe and aesthetics. If you’re an environmentalist or someone who wants to do something for nature, you can get a dock accordingly – these are highly versatile items.
However, if you’ve always used stationary docks and thinking of buying plastic floating docks for the first time, here are a few key differences to consider:
Cost-Effectiveness
All items are priced according to the materials used in their construction and their design. While a floating dock is generally more cost-friendly than a stationary one, you need to install it yourself. If you want to use composite wood for decking, the installation might get costlier than a dock using standard treated lumber – no matter the kind of docking style you want.
While installing a stationary dock is costlier as you need to hire a professional for drilling the auger into the seabed, installing a floating dock is much more convenient. Today, there are a lot of items available for floating docks, including the hardware kit needed for building the frame.
Maintenance Required
The maintenance of both the floating and stationary dock takes the same amount of time. For determining the type and level of maintenance needed, it is vital to consider the material used in its construction.
A wooden dock requires annual washing with a pressure washer and sealant applied. On the other hand, it is vital for both stationary and floating docks to maintain their perimeter. As floating debris and algae can damage the foundation of a dock, it is vital to lubricate it regularly to avoid resting, especially if you’re using a metal dock in a saltwater environment.
Noise Produced
A floating dock has hinged equipment that makes it float with the current and tide, avoiding any strains on the parts. But as these parts are usually made up of heavy-duty steel, they are noisy in rougher seas. And over time, when the hardware starts to rust, it can become more prevalent.
However, you can combat the noise even after years of usage with proper maintenance. If you love the sound of water and the feel of the tide, a floating dock will absolutely suit you. You can also enhance your boating experience by using molecular sieve beads as they take up to 14% of the weight of water.
Water Bodies
If you live in an area that witnesses a lot of traffic by other boats, their wakes can affect your dock badly. If your area sees high traffic, a floating dock might not be the ideal choice because forced wakes will cause their mounting hardware to wear faster than a stationary dock.
The deepness of the water body containing the dock is another crucial consideration. You must know that a floating dock rises and falls with the water level. So, during low tide, the water surface can push back, leaving your dock rubbing on the side bed, thus increasing the chances of puncturing your dock floats.
If the water is too deep, installing a stationary dock will be expensive as the contracting crew will have to drill the mounting pipes into the seabed, which will be difficult and require longer piping to support the structure.
Working Life
A stationary dock can hold up way better than a floating dock because it is not submerged in water, making the floating dock wear out quicker, especially in saltwater. Still, there’s not much difference between its longevity because while a stationary dock lasts 25-35 years, a floating dock lasts 20-30 years.
However, with proper maintenance and care, any dock can outlive itself!
Contact the best globe valve manufacturer in your area for setting up a docking station ASAP.
Final Words
While a floating dock floats on water, a stationary dock rests on pilings mounted into the sea bed. It is a fact that you can conclude even from a picture. So, we hope this article has helped you to some extent in obtaining an understanding of the difference between the two.
There’s no winner between them because both have pros and cons. You cannot go wrong with either as long as you maintain your dock and use quality material.
