These are very similar to wooden piling docks, but use a framework of heavy aluminum pipes instead of wooden pilings. Very similar to the piling dock is the pipe dock, also known as a вЂњpipe leg dock.вЂќ Pipe Dock Photo courtesy of The Dock Depot. Suspension docks are a good option for homeowners who can afford a more expensiveВ dockВ and want to avoid disrupting the local wildlife. Suspension docks oftenВ take much longer to design and construct. They are one of the most expensive types of boat docks. The biggest drawback to a suspension boat dock is the cost. Many ofВ theseВ docksВ canВ raise or lower according to the level of the lake, as well. Many homeowners enjoy the attractive, elegant design. They inflict a minimal impact on the local flora and fauna. Suspension docks work best in areas with fragile ecosystems. Suspension docks consist of a metal framework built to overhang the water, much like a suspension bridge. These docks are almost the diametric opposite of a crib dock. Suspension Docks Photo courtesy of Nisswa Dock.ДЄ modern addition to the array of dock choices is the suspension dock. They disrupt the flow of water along the shoreline, disrupt local wildlife and may cause problems in the event of a flood. Furthermore, many areas limit the construction of crib docks due to their environmental impact. The downsides to crib docks are cost and regulation.Д¬rib docks can be very expensive. Those who build crib docks are essentially extending their shoreline out into the water, within the confines of the dock! Decking is then built on top that connects it to the shoreline.Д¬rib docks are extremely sturdy, permanent structures. These are heavy, sturdy structures that can last for decades.Д¬rib docks are built by filling a large container or framework with rocks or stones.

On the opposite end of the stability spectrum are crib docks. Crib Docks Photo courtesy of The Dock Doctors. They shift with the current and are more likely to be washed away by floodwaters.ДЇloating boat docks work well for smaller boats, such as fishing boats, or for those with a limited budget. On the downside, floating docks are less stable. You can also tow them out of the lake in the winter, or for repairs. Most floating boat docks cost between $20 and $35 per square foot and typically require less square footage than a piling dock.ДЇloating boat docks automatically rise and fall according to the lake level. The structure floats on the waterвЂ™s surface but is large and stable enough to serve as a boat dock.ДЇloating docks have the advantages of versatility and lower cost. These consist of an anchored, floating platform of large, airtight drums, onto which a wooden platform is built. Floating Dock Photo courtesy of Playstar Inc.ДЇloating docks cost less than piling docks, and are much more versatile. They canВ also serveВ as fishing piers or just a place to plant your lawn chair and catch some rays. Piling docks work well if you have a larger boat. Piling docks also cannot rise or fall with the level of the lake. The main downside for piling docks is cost, both of installation and maintenance. Homeowners can build them in high-flow areas such as rivers and streams, since piling docks are less likely to be washed away by floodwaters. Piling docks have the advantage of stability and strength. Factors such as lake depth, climate and local regulations can increase or decrease the cost of installation. Piling docks typically cost $20-$40 per square foot, depending on the installation. The frame is then attached to the pilings, forming a sturdy, wooden walkway. Piling docks are built by driving heavy wooden beams known as вЂњpilingsвЂќ (think telephone poles, but shorter) deep into the bed of the lake.

When most people imagine a dock on the lake, they envision a piling dock. Piling Dock Photo courtesy of BuildingProductsPlus.

Lake dock designer