How Does a Floating Dock Work?

Do you love fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, power boating, jet-skiing, or just sitting around shooting the breeze with a few friends and a few more cold drinks? Residential floating docks are a great investment in your property in terms of enjoyment, recreation, and, overall property value. How does this type of dock work, and what is the difference between a floating dock vs. fixed dock?

Residential Floating Docks Are Ideal

These are buoyant platforms that can be attached to the shore in a variety of ways. Floating docks are designed to… you guessed it… float on the surface, while accommodating for the natural vertical movement of the water. In other words, they can rise and fall with the ebbs and flows of the tide and fluctuations of other bodies of water.

Floating Dock vs. Fixed Dock

Residential floating docks offer a number of benefits, in addition to their ability to adjust to varying water levels. They are:

• More buoyant than fixed docks
• Well suited for storm-prone areas
• Easy to install
• Easy to remove and store, if needed
• Flexible (e.g., you can create different configurations)
• Cost-effective
• Made of high-quality, damage-resistant materials

Additionally, because the distance between your boat/watercraft and the dock is always about the same, entering or exiting is much easier with a floating dock vs. a fixed dock. That is a huge concern for many homes- and property owners!

Buoyancy Matters

We’ve mentioned buoyancy a few times: this is simply the upward force exerted by the water that, essentially, counteracts the weight of the dock. So, floating docks float because the force they exert is less than the force of the water. This is the same principle that allows a 97,000-ton aircraft carrier to float, while a small rock sinks.

What you need to know, though, is that the amount of buoyancy, or flotation, that they need is at least 70%. The average percentage of flotation is approximately 85%. This gives the dock the unique characteristics we’ve mentioned above.

What to Look for in Residential Floating Docks

If you are searching for a residential floating dock, hold out for the best! Each AccuDock product is made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) flat sheets that fully encapsulate expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. It will be an investment that pays you back time and time again. In other words, look for floating docks with:

• HDPE outer shells
• EPS foam – provides a strong internal structure and ensures the floats will not sink if the shell is compromised for some reason
• Flotation depths that suit your needs
• Customization – your dock should fit your property perfectly
• A variety of decking options
• Maximum stability
• Easy assembly and installation

The AccuDock Difference

All AccuDock residential floating docks meet the criteria above and are made in the USA with 100% virgin materials. We also have in-house engineering staff to ensure the highest quality.

Your satisfaction is our highest priority; if you have any more questions about how residential floating docks work – or about how to install one on your property – contact us today!