DIY Boat Docks: What You Need to Know

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 4/30/2019

Whether you’ve owned your lakefront property for years or are a new buyer, a boat dock is an important part of your lifestyle. Your boat dock gets a lot of use whether it’s at your summer cabin or your year-round home! Swimming, fishing, and boating… the quality of your boat dock can really determine how much time you’re able to spend enjoying the water. If your dock is a total wreck, or even if it’s just not your style, you have a decision to make: replace the entire thing, or make repairs and upgrades. Don’t be intimidated by the thought of a DIY boat dock!

Pros and Cons of Vinyl Dock Sections

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 4/1/2019

If you’re trying to build your own dock on a budget, consider Vinyl dock sections. There are a number of different types of dock sections on the market but vinyl has consistently proven to provide high quality at low upfront cost. Vinyl boat dock parts are inexpensive and easily replaceable if portions wear out faster than others due to frequent use.

How Much Does a Custom Dock Design Cost?

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 3/1/2019

We get a lot of questions about how much a complete dock system costs, and want to help you make your decision! While there’s no hard and fast rule about how much a custom dock costs, it may be more affordable than you think!

Looking Forward to Summer: Best Boating Destinations in Michigan

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 2/1/2019

Are you tired of the cold, winter weather here in Michigan? Are you looking forward to spring and summer, when you can start getting your boat out into the water and spending some quality time with your friends and family? Did you know that in the Mitten, you are never more than six miles from the nearest body of water? The state is home to the Great Lakes and boasts the nation's longest freshwater shoreline at 3,300 miles. Here are some great places for you to explore when the weather heats up.

Save Money with a Treated Pine Wooden Dock

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 1/2/2019

Are you considering building a boat dock for your lakefront or riverfront property? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the dock section options available? Consider a wooden dock made from treated pine! This type of dock is an economical alternative to some of the more maintenance-free decking options, due to it being made primarily from recycled materials.

Why You Need to Winterize and Remove Your Aluminum Boat Dock

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 11/29/2018

There are many things that can happen if a dock is left in the water for the winter, but the bottom line in most cases is that parts will be destroyed! Ice freezing around a dock does not usually cause the majority of dock damage. In the spring, ice starts to flow and move across the lake, and that’s when your dock or anything else near the shore is in real danger.

How to Know When Your Wood Dock Needs Replacing

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 11/1/2018

It’s always difficult to bite the bullet and replace something in your home that’s expensive. This is especially true with a boat dock that’s still functional but has seen much better days. You feel tempted to give it one more season, maybe so you can save up for a really sensational dock design. But when sticking with old faithful potentially puts your equipment, boat, family, and self at risk, you should have more information so you can be confident about your decision.

Must-Have Dock Accessories for Your Aluminum Boat Dock

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 10/1/2018

Maybe you finally have the boat dock you’ve always wanted, but what about the dock accessories to really get the full experience?

Be the envy of the neighborhood with your aluminum boat dock, complete with all the accessories to make your boating experience convenient and practical!

Why Top Quality Dock Accessories Matter

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 8/31/2018

Want to find out more about the importance of boat dock accessories? Wondering if quality boat dock accessories are crucial or just a splurge? Know you need dock accessories, but not sure if top-quality is worth the money?

Building a Party Platform for Your Boat Dock

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 7/31/2018

Building a party deck or dock platform on your dock can add valuable lake frontage to your home. From a small sitting area to space for 20 people this can be a very easy and painless process. Many traditional dock platforms use long cross-arms and multiple posts that have to be driven in under the dock. Although this may hold the dock up there are much easier and more efficient ways to accomplish the look you want to achieve.

Dock Storage Ideas

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 6/22/2018

Dock storage can be easily overlooked as you build and install your dock. Many people store all their gear and accessories in a garage or shed, but how many trips to the shed and back to the dock will you have to make? Keep these ideas in mind as you get your lake house or lakefront property ready for boating this summer.

3 Major Factors that Affect Boat Dock Price

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 6/1/2018

With waterfront property, boat docks are typically a necessary expense. Property owners should think of their dock as an investment, considering it can increase the property value. But that doesn’t mean you need to go overboard with spending when you’re installing a boat dock!

What you really want in a boat dock is a good value, so it pays to think about the 3 biggest factors in boat dock price. Looking at these factors can help you decide what you need in a new aluminum dock and lead to money spent wisely.

Dock Accessories to Improve Your Waterfront Lifestyle

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 4/30/2018

Make sure everyone has a great experience both in the water and out by installing a few simple dock accessories to improve the look and function of your dock.

Prevent Mishaps with Boat Dock Bumpers

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 3/29/2018

If you have a dock and any watercraft, everyone knows you are investing time and money into them. Protecting these valued items is a no-brainer, and one of the most effective ways to do so is with a complete system of boat dock bumpers.

10 Dock Safety Upgrades to Keep Your Family Safe

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 2/26/2018

To keep your family safe on and by the water, consider these upgrades, including some great dock accessories, for your waterfront space.

Time to Refresh Your Boat Dock Bumpers?

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 1/29/2018

At Alumi-Span, we offer four boat dock bumper options for your needs: torpedo post bumpers, H.D. bumpers, dock end bumpers, and side stringer bumpers. Our boat dock bumpers not only protect your boat, but they also extend low enough to protect jet ski hoods, sailboats, and even kayaks from getting caught under the edge of your dock and getting scratched.

8 Questions You Must Ask Your Dock Designer

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 12/27/2017

If you’ve decided to turn to the pros for expertise in dock designs for your new boat dock, you’ve made a smart choice. You want to put the project into experienced hands, but you don’t want to be left out of the process entirely, right? Whether you need to know what to ask a potential designer or need to keep the conversation going with your current designer, our list of 8 questions you must ask will be a great benefit to your relationship with a designer.

7 Reasons a Custom-Built Boat Dock is Best

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 11/29/2017

Custom-building may sound a bit luxurious, but when it comes to making the most of your water access, it could really be your best bet! Take a look at the 7 reasons custom-built is best.

Durable Docks Don't Have to Cost a Fortune!

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 10/30/2017

If you’re ready for a new boat dock, durability should be one of your top priorities. Durability translates to more years of enjoying your dock, less money spent on maintenance, and less time spent worrying about or on repairs. But we know “I’m not made of money” isn’t just something you say to your kids, it’s the truth! So let’s get down to it: how do you get a durable boat dock without spending a fortune?

Why Winter is the Time to Plan Your New Dock

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 10/1/2017

If your new dock is on hold all winter long, come spring, you’re sure to be antsy; who wouldn’t be? In your excitement to get things done, maybe you miss a few details you could regret. Planning in winter gives you the luxury of time, time to get things right and pay attention to all the details!

5 Things to Consider when Building a Custom Boat Dock

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 9/1/2017

If you live at or own waterfront land, your water access may be the single most important feature of your property. Being so important, a totally custom boat dock has its immediate appeal to those in the market for a new dock. But before you commit to a decision to go custom, there are a few things you might want to consider!

Prepping Your Boat Dock for a Storm

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 7/27/2017

There are many things you can do to prepare for a storm and keep your aluminum boat dock from being damaged. There are also some steps you should take to protect your boat! At Alumi-Span, we’ve got the answers for you so you don’t have to do clean-up this summer.

5 Reasons Why Anodized Aluminum is Better

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 6/27/2017

If aluminum dock sections weren’t already an appealing option for your waterfront property, these 5 benefits of anodized aluminum would certainly make them so! It’s no wonder people choose anodized aluminum if they really want their deck to last.

5 Tips To Avoid Maintenance On Your Boat Dock

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 6/1/2017

Instead of dreading the idea of something going wrong with your dock, imagine taking fate into your hands with a few easy tips to avoid costly maintenance on your boat dock. Our 5 boat dock maintenance tips can help you keep your dock in great shape for years to come.

Side Stringer Dock Bumpers

Posted by Alumi-Span Docks on 2/10/2016

Many aluminum framed dock sections in northern Michigan and many other areas utilize a 4” aluminum frame. This allows the use of many accessories regardless of the name brand of the dock sections that you may have. One accessory that is very useful and can be used on any of these sections is the end cap and side stringer bumpers from Alumi-Span.