Composite Decking vs. Pressure-Treated Lumber for Docks and Piers
Composite decking is superior to pressure-treated lumber for floating docks and piers regarding performance and total cost of ownership.
BoardSafe has manufactured millions of square feet of aluminum floating docks, piers, and gangways. The goal of BoardSafe is to provide the highest-quality product for owners of rowing centers, marinas, and other commercial and resident docks. In the construction of these products, composite decking is superior.
Many purchase pressure-treated lumber because of the perceived cost savings. If the application is in a warm climate, the sun will destroy the wood in less than 8 years. If the application is in the northern part of the United States, the wood is subjected to freezing temperatures and ice, making its lifespan approximately 8 – 9 years. Manufacturers of composite lumber confidently state that this synthetic wood product will last over 20 years. This being the case, the total cost of ownership for a composite wood dock is less than a dock made of pressure-treated lumber.
Treated lumber today
Recently, the process and chemicals used in creating pressure-treated lumber have changed to become more environmentally-friendly. The new chemicals have created an inferior treated-lumber product that is not as durable as the pressure-treated lumber of yesteryear. Additionally, the pressure-treated lumber is more corrosive to fasteners. Experts recommend using stainless steel screws and bolts in lieu of the traditional galvanized steel. To jack up costs even more, the environmentally-friendly pressure-treated lumber is now more expensive to produce than ever before.
Consider composite decking
Composite lumber is stronger and longer-lasting. Within the family of composite wood, one product leaves the others in the dust: NyloDeck. NyloDeck is the only composite deck board that BoardSafe uses to manufacture its floating docks and piers. NyloDeck contains no wood particles; it is made of recycled carpet fibers — essentially, fiberglass. For these reasons, NyloDeck is rated for ground contact because it resists moisture, mold, and mildew. It is also the only 1-inch composite deck board rated to span joists at 24 inches on center and 16 inches on diagonals. It is twice as strong as other leading decking materials, and lighter, too. On BoardSafe docks, the NyloDeck boards are fastened with a unique hidden fastener system developed by TimberStrong. This means no nail pops or face nailing.
The last feature that makes composite wood superior is the frame. BoardSafe manufactures floating docks, gangways, and piers from 6160 marine-grade aluminum, with their proprietary extruded-aluminum frame. When looking at the quality of the overall investment, aluminum-frame docks with synthetic-wood deck boards are the way to go.
When it comes to building floating docks and piers, composite lumber is best. When it comes to manufacturing aluminum floating docks, BoardSafe is the best.
BoardSafe manufactures aluminum floating docks, piers, and gangways. They have designed and manufactured numerous specialty projects, including rowing centers and ADA-featured docks and boat launches. For more information on your rowing center project, marina, or commercial or residential dock, call 610-899-0286 or visit BoardSafe.com.
Successful First Adaptive Paddling and Picnic at Lake by BoardSafe Docks
In the fall of 2015, BoardSafe Docks installed a new ADA fishing pier and adaptive / ADA kayak launch at Leaser Lake in Kempton, PA. The floating docks and applications were designed and constructed by BoardSafe Docks, completing an ADA and adaptive park area that already included paved nature trails and ADA picnic tables.
On Sunday, May 22, 2016, a group of 12 adaptive paddlers and 30 volunteers, including 6 ACC instructors, enjoyed their first adaptive paddling event.
The Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation coordinated the parking, food, and programming, while Team River Runner handled the adaptive boating program. This was the first event of its kind since the unveiling and trial run on the adaptive kayak boat launch in November. Paddlers were taught water safety, the proper way to enter and exit a boat, and the basics of paddling.
Northeast Products Is Exclusive Distributor of Pearson Pilings
Customers who live or work in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, and want Pearson Pilings for their commercial or residential project, need to purchase them through Northeast Products and Services, Inc. (“Northeast”). Northeast is the exclusive distributor of Pearson Pilings in the Mid-Atlantic states.
Pearson's fiberglass composite pilings are the ideal building materials for waterfront foundations, docks, piers, and bridges. The composite pilings are stronger than wood, steel, and concrete pilings, and because they will not rust, rot, or crumble, they will last virtually forever. Containing no chemical preservatives that leach into the water, Pearson sustainable fiberglass composite pilings are environmentally-friendly and are the choice of “green” developers of clean marinas and waterfront properties.
Commercial applications include pilings for marinas, piers, docks, bridges, and more.
New marinas and docks, fishing piers, municipal bulkheads, and bridges, demand the strongest, most durable pilings available. Pearson pilings require no maintenance and will rarely need to be replaced, even after several years of hard use. Demolition and removal of old pilings may also be avoided by installing Pearson pilings over existing pilings.
The unique properties of fiberglass composite pilings make them an ideal building material for a wide variety of applications where superior strength and durability are required. From artificial reefs to elephant retaining walls, from bridge fendering systems to commercial building foundations, engineers and architects are finding new and unusual applications for Pearson Fiberglass Composite Pilings every day.
Best of all, Pearson pilings are environmentally-friendly. If you're building "green," you'll want to specify only Pearson Fiberglass Composite Pilings.
Residential applications include pilings for home foundations and residential docks and piers.
If you are building a new waterfront home, adding a new dock, or need to repair your existing dock or bulkhead, you'll want to use today's strongest, most-durable pilings. Pearson Fiberglass Composite Pilings will never rot, rust, or crumble. They'll last virtually forever. They're incredibly strong, too — stronger than wood, steel, and concrete! Their attractive, smooth, natural finish will look good year after year, never developing harmful, unsightly splinters.
Ask your contractor or architect to specify Pearson Pilings. Your investment today will pay off in the long run by eliminating replacement costs and increasing the value of your waterfront property.
If you are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, or Maryland, and would like to discuss your projects using Pearson Pilings, call Northeast at 610-899-0286. Northeast has decades of experience in residential and commercial construction as well as marine construction. Northeast also specializes in manufacturing aluminum floating docks, piers, gangways and rowing centers.
Adaptive Boat Launch, Piers, and Rowing Products
Adaptive Boat Launch, Piers, and Rowing Products
BoardSafe has developed a line of ADA-accessible products specifically for the adaptive athlete. These products include an adaptive kayak, canoe and boat launch, accessible piers, and floating docks with ADA features, as well as adaptive rowing docks for adaptive rowing (See links below). These products were developed in conjunction with adaptive athletes and conscientioulsy designed to meet their needs. Because adaptive rowers and paddlers had input on the products' proprietary designs, BoardSafe knows that their adaptive boat launches, fishing piers, and adaptive rowing docks, are the best-performing and highest-quality products on the market. All of our adaptive products are made with the same best practices, features, engineering, and quality measures used in all BoardSafe products. Each adaptive rowing product is specifically designed with the rowers in mind.
If you need an adaptive kayak launch, fising pier, or adaptive rowing dock, BoardSafe will customize your product by adapting their standard designs, engineering, and product sizes, to build a product that fits your needs.
Follow these links to learn more about our adaptive products:
> Adaptive kayak, canoe, and boat launch
> Accessible fishing pier and floating dock
Need help with fundraising? Read our recommended best practices for fundraising for your accessible project.
Boat Rack Systems
Aluminum Boat Rack Systems
Rowing centers and kayak launches need a functional way to easily store and access their boats, kayaks and rowing gear. BoardSafe has built numerous rowing centers and understands the uses and needs of rowers, kayakers and adaptive athletes to offer the best options for boat storage. Aluminum boat rack systems can be freestanding or built as an addon to a floating dock, pier or adaptive kayak launch.
Commercial Aluminum Piers
Commercial Aluminum Piers
Our commercial aluminum piers can be built to your specificaitons or you can chose from one of our standard sizes. BoardSafe manufacturers commercial aluminum piers and bridges using heavy duty 100 Series Aluminum extrusion. BoardSafe uses the highest quality materials including marine grade 6160 aluminum, proprietary extruded aluminum frame, and synthetic lumber featuring Timberstrong hidden fastening system. The piers and bridges are designed for marine applications at lakes, marshes, rivers and other areas with water. BoardSafe designs and manufacturers products that meet construction requirements as well as special applications like ADA requirements and accessories for accessibility for all.
Watch the below video of the installation of a commercial aluminum bridge designed and manufactured by BoardSafe. The aluminum bridge is approximately 30 feet long and has ADA accessibility features. It extends over a dam at a lake and connects a walking path that circles the lake.
BoardSafe Floating Docks, Piers, Gangways, and Other Marina Products
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Quality and Experience Made in the USA and centrally-located in the Mid-Atlantic region, it's no wonder that marina owners, homeowners, conservationists, rowing clubs, and other associations, trust BoardSafe for their projects. Our collaborative and comprehensive approach with customers leads to projects they are highly satisfied with — done on time, within budget, and aligned with their goals. Commitment to Innovation BoardSafe takes great pride in manufacturing boat docks and boat dock components that are environmentally-friendly, safe, require minimal maintenance, retain their structural integrity, and offer ADA accessibility features. |