Decking is the most important part of your dock — it allows you to walk over the water for boating, swimming, sunbathing and more. One of the best Florida dock materials is polyethylene, a type of plastic. While there are many dock materials you can choose from, polyethylene has several unique features and advantages other options cannot offer.
Common Types of Docks for Florida
Explore some of the most common materials for Florida docks — and why they might not be ideal for your dock compared to polyethylene plastic.
Aluminum
Aluminum docking can pose several issues. This material is:
- Hot to touch: Aluminum has high thermal conductivity, so it will not dissipate heat quickly. Aluminum docks can get hot to the touch in warm weather, which means they’re not ideal for residential spaces.
- Difficult to repair: If an aluminum dock gets damaged, repairing it can be difficult or even impossible. In some cases, large sections or the entire dock may need to be replaced, even if only a few boards are damaged.
- Susceptible to rust: Aluminum can corrode and rust, especially when installed in salt water.
Wood
Common types of wood for docks include pine and cedar species. A few downsides of wood docking include:
- High maintenance: Wood docking material has more intensive maintenance needs than others. Power-washing yearly and finishing and staining every few years is necessary to keep the material looking nice and performing well.
- Higher costs: Some wood species have a high cost upfront. Washing, staining, board replacements and other maintenance needs make upkeep expensive in the long term as well.
- Heat in warm weather: Wood decking can absorb the sun’s heat, making the surface feel hot. This heat absorption is not ideal when using your dock in the summertime.
- Thin density: Since pine and cedar are softwoods, they’re less dense and more susceptible to decay, compromising the structural integrity of a dock.
- Surface damage: Most wood splinters, peels and splits over time, making the surface unsafe for people to walk on barefoot.
- Environmental concerns: While wood itself is sustainable, some wood is pressure-treated for durability. The chemicals used during the pressure-treatment process can leach into the water and soil.
Composite
Composite docks are made from a combination of organic materials, like wood fibers, and inorganic materials, like polyethylene and polypropylene. These components are bonded with additives and adhesives. Common issues with composite material for docks include:
- Intensive maintenance: Composite docks for the Florida area are not maintenance-free. The wood fibers make the material susceptible to decay caused by mildew, fungi and mold growing in damp or shady areas. Regular, thorough cleaning is required to prevent decay.
- Structural damage: Composite can crack if the material is damaged. Sanding, pressure washing and strong cleaners can cause the composite to peel.
- A lack of recyclability: Composite material is nonrecyclable and will likely go to a landfill at the end of its useful life.
Why Polyethylene Plastic Is Best for Florida Floating Docks
Polyethylene plastic docks are among the best Florida docks. This material is entirely plastic, offering several advantages that make it stand out. Polyethylene plastic is:
- Cost-effective: Polyethylene dock material is budget-friendly upfront and over time since it’s durable and easy to maintain.
- Lightweight: Polyethylene plastic is a lightweight material, beneficial for some dock setups.
- Long-lasting: Polyethylene plastic is exceptionally durable and can resist damage from the elements, moisture, corrosion and rot. As a result, polyethylene lasts longer than other docking materials.
- Easy to install: Polyethylene docking is prefabricated, requiring basic tools and simple assembly. Most dock owners can install polyethylene docks on their own, whereas other materials would require specialized labor or a professional contractor.
- Recyclable: At the end of its useful life, you can recycle polyethylene — the plastic is not mixed with other materials.
- Low maintenance: Polyethylene has few maintenance needs, so you can spend more time enjoying your dock than taking care of it. Your docking will look and function at its best with basic upkeep and cleaning.
Get the Best Florida Dock Material at EZ Docks Mid-Atlantic
Material factors into your dock’s appearance, maintenance and cost, so choosing the right type matters. EZ Docks Mid-Atlantic distributes polyethylene modular docks for custom-designed, long-lasting systems.
Get polyethylene plastic docking from EZ Docks Mid-Atlantic today. Contact us online or call 732-787-3088 to learn more about why polyethylene is the best Florida dock material.
