Dock Construction

We use superior, lumber specially designed and treated for marine use. This isn't the standard lumber you pick up at the local Depot.

All lumber is #1 grade pressure treated pine that has fewer knots and is pressure treated to a .40 penetration level which is vastly superior to standard pressure treated lumber.

Fewer knots means a stronger board as each knot presents a potential weakspot and lumber with higher penetration levels of preservative has much more protection from attack by termites, other insects, and fungal decay.

High waves, water surge & strong winds can destroy a dock if the foundation is not solid. Creative Marine sinks your pilings deeply into the lake bed; at least 5 feet whenever possible. Plus, the pilings are a minimum of 6” x 6” and always set less than 8 feet apart, except inside a boathouse.

Stronger, more deeply set pilings are the main reason our docks survived 3 hurricanes in 2004 while many others built by our competitors did not.

Many dock builders will not set your pilings deeply into the lake bed and you may not be aware of this shortcoming because it is not visible. You will probably not know until your dock is dislodged from the lake bed by a flood or storm.

All Creative Marine dock platforms are double framed with 2” x 8” pressure treated boards which vastly increases the framing strength. This outer framing is constructed by using two boards that are fastened together with nails, then attached to the support pilings. The double frame platform is bolted to the pilings with heavy duty 5/8” inch hot dipped galvanized bolts with large square double washers that lock the platform in place and the inner framing span is always less than 2 feet for even more added strength.

This construction process prevents the dock platform from separating from the pilings during severe weather events such as floods or hurricanes. Most all other dock builders use only single frame platforms in the construction of their docks.

All our decking is attached with hot dipped galvanized screws; not nailed. With Creative Marine, your decking is securely attached; no popped-up nails or warped decking. At all costs, you should avoid any installer that wants to nail down your decking. Special care is taken with each board to prevent splintering and leave a smoother finish by routing all the edges.

We only use the highest grade of wood decking, a product called Sun Deck.
Sun Decking is a # 1 grade 2” x 6” pressure treated pine board with superior protection against rot, termites and exposure to the elements.
This decking has very few knots & a really pretty grain & beveled edges on all 4 sides that help prevent warping.

The quality of the lumber gives your deck a beautiful look because of its fine textured grain and fewer knots. The quality of installation gives your dock a clean look with an even 1.5” inch overlap from the platform frame to the end of the deck board

Our handrails are not simply tacked on to the decking like so many others. Instead, we extend the foundation pilings above the deck level and attach the handrails directly to them.

Even your handrails are integrated with the foundation of your dock. Why don't all dock builders do this? Because this installation technique requires the deck boards to be custom cut around the extended pilings and special blocking has to be installed to prevent deck board splitting. This is a lot of work, but pays off in the stability and durability of your dock.

The finished top rail is routed and then sanded on all surfaces and edges for a fine, smooth finish. It attached with counter sunk screws - not nails!