Wooden or Plastic? The Best Material for Your Home’s Dock

In house architecture, a pontoon-supported platform or ramp is known as a floating dock. A slipway is frequently used to connect it to the shore.

Floating docks are available in different sizes and can be made with various materials. A floating dock must be sturdy to be enjoyable. Many aspects contribute to stability, including length, width, height, low center of gravity, weight, and a structurally solid frame.

This article discusses the pros and cons of wood and plastic as raw materials for a dock.

General Overview of Docking Materials

Initially, wood and timber were used to make extensions for the living area of the house. Different kinds of timber  (for example tropical hardwoods and redwood) available in the market vary in durability, cost, and texture. 

Wood is still considered as one of the authentic methods to construct a deck. And as technology advanced, new ways of decking were invented. For example, Pressure Treated(PT) Lumber, a modern raw material, is often used for the decking. To be more durable, this lumber is treated with chemicals to make it resistant to fungus, bugs, and decay. 

Plastic Lumber was discovered as an alternative to wood and other synthetic components that were used for decking but weren’t nature friendly. Since plastic lumber is composed of wood fibers and recycled plastic, both of which are eco-friendly, it is also referred to as composite decking material. This material is tough, heavy, dense, and stain-resistant.

Let’s discuss more about the pros and cons of wooden and plastic decking materials in detail. 

Wooden Docking

There are a lot of wooden decking solutions available in the market. Wood is still considered a traditional decking material and is widely used in homes. Most people prefer hardwood over other synthetic plastics.

Pros of wooden decking are:

• Gives Authentic and Natural Look to the Structure

Wooden solutions are known for their natural texture. Nothing can compare their texture and authenticity. Deck floors made up of woods can provide natural warmth. The overall feel of the deck is what makes it worth the money.

So, if you are looking for a natural look, a wooden dock should be your choice.

• Inexpensive and Readily Available

Most of the wood types are naturally available and are regularly supplied in the market for decking purposes. Due to heavy demand and high availability, these woods are affordable and can serve as an inexpensive decking material.

• Chemically Treated Woods Have Better Quality 

Less durable woods like Southern Pine are treated with chemicals and preservatives like Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) to make them more durable and resistant to insects and rot. These woods are known as pressure-treated lumbers. They are cheap, durable, and resistant to several elements. 

Apart from its benefits, wooden decking has the following disadvantages:

• Require Regular Maintenance

Wooden decks require regular inspection and care. It should be maintained well to prevent cracks and discoloration. If not managed properly, these issues can be dangerous.

• Naturally Resistant and Good Quality Woods are Expensive

Softwood species like Redwood and Western Red Cedar are known for their natural red crimson color and natural resistance to insects, rot, and decay. These species are very expensive and rare. Hence, constructing a deck out of these species is not an easy task.

Plastic Docking

Plastic Docking is a preferable option since it causes few adverse effects on the environment. High-density plastic lumber is usually used in plastic docking.

In current times, plastic docking is gaining more popularity over wooden decking and is a preferred material for decking materials. 

Pros of plastic decking are:

• Require Less Maintenance and Care

Plastic lumbering materials don’t need to be stained and are easy to clean. Due to their synthetic manufacturing, they have fewer problems. Hence, there is no need of spending more time looking after them. 

• Weather and Stain Resistant

Synthetic materials involved in the manufacturing of plastic lumber make them resistant to changes in weather. They don’t even react to moisture variations in the atmosphere. These qualities also make them stain-resistant. Therefore, they maintain their quality and shine for a long time.

• Available in Variety of Colours

Natural decking materials have various constraints due to their natural color. Painting them may reduce their quality and authenticity. Whereas decking materials like hisea plastic dock cube can be given the desired color during manufacturing.

• Environment-Friendly Plastic Alternatives Exist

Composite decking is an environmentally friendly alternative to other methods. It combines plastic wood and fibers.

Although these materials serve as a good alternative, they have some cons too:

• Colors and Texture are Not Natural

House decks made up of plastic may look fake. They can give a wooden texture but it does not always resemble wood.

• May Show Signs of Ageing

Unlike wood, plastic deck colors can fade with time. They can show signs of decay.

• Have Structural Differences

Plastic materials differ from wood in terms of their structure. They can sag and bend more than wood. Hence these decks require more substructure before construction. 

Conclusion

Before investing in house decks, it is necessary to research different available materials. There are solutions available for every need and budget. One has to be clear about their preferences. Wood and plastic decks are constructed to cater to different needs and have their pros and cons.