Optimal Wood Species for Wooden Dock

ericstand | Posted in General Discussion on April 20, 2003 08:06am

My community lake needs a couple of new wooden docks for summer use. (We pull them out of the lake for the winter.) I disapprove of the Redwood logging industry’s manner of harvesting those magnificent trees that I’ve read about. Pau Lope or Ipe or White Oak are too heavy for us to haul out of the lake in the Fall. We would prefer not to use pressure treated wood in our lake because of the copper arsenate. Cedar won’t stand up to the stresses on the timbers of the ladder and bolts. My question: Is there a wood species that would stand up to the water and the stresses, or is there a company which harvests Redwood in a sustainable manner? Thank you for your recommendations.

Replies

jonsherryl | Apr 21, 2003 12:35am | #1
Eric, redwood regenerates very quickly and in the not too distant future it will once again be a readily available, sustainable species for many construction applications...However, managed, plantation redwood won't be a good option for decking, in that only the old growth heartwood of this species is highly durable.

There are some "cedars" that are both very decay resistant and also much stronger than western redcedar. You'll pay a premium for it, but Alaskan-yellow cedar would be functionally ideal. It's moderately dense and strong and yet much lighter in weight than ipe, white oak or some of the other, durable heavyweights. Baldcypress would also be good, but unfortunately, only the old growth stock is highly resistant to decay...and old growth stands of this timber are in just about as bad shape as are our reserves of redwood. Spanish cedar (Cedrela spp.) would also be an excellent choice for both light weight and decay resistance, but it's an import that is beginning to rise in price.

...Another option might be dark red meranti. It's a Shorea (lauan relative) from Southeast Asia that has relatively good decay resistance and is one of the moderately priced imports now being sold as decking. It's heavier than any of the domestic cedars, but it's not up in that gut busting category with ipe, black locust, white oak, etc.

There are many others, but I think your best approach here is to first see what is available in your area and then post again with a list of your affordable choices. It will be easier to make functional judgements once you have your options narrowed.
LarryPile | Apr 21, 2003 01:24am | #2
How about using Cypress? It doesn't rot, it's fairly lightweight and it's not terribly expensive.....might be harder to find, but I use it for all of my window frames and outdoor furniture.....

lp

NorthernWish | Apr 21, 2003 05:35am | #3
You could use the strong/heavy wood only in the areas that require strong wood (the ladder, etc) and just use the lighter more affordable wood in the other areas. This way the dock would remain relatively light but get the strucutral integrity you need.

Clay | Apr 21, 2003 05:59am | #4
I agree with Larry, cypress would be superior to redwood for wooden docking in any case. Cypress has a much better rot resistance than redwood and it is considerably stronger too. It is a bit heavier than redwood but your structure might actually be lighter due to the increased strength of the cypress and the consequent ability to use smaller dimensions or wider spacings.

fdampier5 | Apr 21, 2003 07:00am | #5
I claim expert opinion on docks. I've been fightin' with 'em for well over 30 years. Like you, I need to pull docks every fall.

     Cedar is great.. light and strong but do not use steel fastenings with it!

      Only stainless steel should be used.. regular steel will rot and cause all sorts of problems..

Do not assemble it with nails! Screws are a must. Docks that are nailed together start to fall apart after just a few in/outs. Screws are holding my dock together and it's over 15 years old.. I went the extra step to glue and screw.. I don't regret it one bit..

     Good deck paint is a must! Do not skimp on that!  (especially end grain)

     Look at some of the new plastic floating docks out there.. Once I get the money together that's what I'm getting.. Lots of benefits.. (not the least is that you can leave them in during the winter)

WorkshopJon | Apr 21, 2003 05:01pm | #6
Eric,

Perhaps the Fine WOODworking forum is not the place for me to say this, but, why use wood in the first place. There are many other materials out there that will stand up to a marine environment better that are in the same cost range. Keep an open mind.

Jon
BrianF | Apr 21, 2003 05:57pm | #7
My thought is exactly what Jon just said. There are plenty of plastic/wood composite materials out there that are excellent for such an aplication and very enviromentaly resposible. One manufacturer near me uses recycled milk bottles and saw dust from some local wood shops to make a composite deck material. I know it doesn't have the asthetics of "real" wood but it has alot of other upsides. Especially when you don't have to maintain and rebuild it as often.