Choosing Dock Decking

Decking is the part of the dock you touch every day, and it is also the part that wears out first on a lot of older docks. Choosing it well means thinking about upkeep, comfort, weight and what the frame underneath can carry.

Concrete dock pavers

Blue Ridge concrete dock pavers are made for the waterfront:

• Low upkeep. No staining, sealing or replacing rotted boards. An occasional wash keeps them clean.
• Cooler surface. Pavers stay cooler than dark wood or composite, which bare feet appreciate in July.
• No exposed fasteners. The interlocking layout sits flush without nails or screws to catch toes.
• Built for moisture. They are made to hold up to constant moisture, UV and heavy foot traffic.
• Options. Several textures and patterns are available, and colors or staining can be done on request.

Match the decking to the frame

Concrete is heavier than wood or composite, so the frame and flotation have to be planned for it. Our galvanized dock frames are fabricated to accept pavers, treated wood, composite or aluminum decking, and support spacing is set while the frame is built. On a floating dock, add the decking weight to your dead load when sizing dock floats.

Questions to answer before ordering

• Is this a new dock or a re-deck of an existing frame?
• What is the frame made of, and how far apart are the supports?
• What texture and color do you want?
• Will the dock float, or stand on legs or posts?

Common mistakes

• Putting heavy decking on a frame or floats that were sized for wood.
• Picking a color before seeing samples in daylight at the lake.
• Re-decking a frame that needs repair first.

Because pavers are matched to the frame and layout, it is best to talk through the project before ordering. Call 618-294-6905 for colors, pricing and details, or see our dock services for new docks and dock repair.