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Upgrade Your Dock: Simple Additions to Enhance Enjoyment and Boost Property Value

All EZ Dock FWM Docks

Your dock is an important part of your property, making your shoreline an inviting and exciting place to spend the summer months. A good dock is also one of the easiest ways to improve the appearance and value of your home.

Your dock will take care of you for decades to come — but you do need to take care of it. That means preparing it for the winter months, replacing worn or outdated parts, and also updating it over time.

Simple upgrades can turn even a standard dock into a centerpiece of your property, and it’s easier than you think with the right products. Here’s your guide to dock upgrades that can increase your enjoyment and your property value.

Dock Upgrade Ideas for Enjoyment

The best element of a good dock is its versatility. Once your dock is in place, you and your guests can use it for swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, or even just lounging. But while a basic dock design can be useful, there are a range of dock accessory upgrades that can make your docks much more comfortable, fun to use and even safer.

The exact accessories you need will depend on how you like to use your dock, but in general we like to suggest the following categories of helpful dock updates.

  • Lighting Systems: Good lighting is essential in extending your dock use into the evening hours. Dock lights allow you to safely access your dock from the land, but also make it easier to spot from the water — which can help you come ashore if you’re out at night. They can also give any passing boats a warning about the location of your dock. Today’s LED lighting is bright and long lasting, making your docks easy to spot, but without creating light pollution.
a white and orange boat is docked next to a metal dock in a lake
  • Accessibility Features: ADA compliance is necessary for any docks open to the public, whether they’re government operated or owned by private businesses. But, even if your dock is for private use, adding ADA compliant accessories such as ramps, ladders, rails, and launches makes your dock safer and more accessible to people of all abilities.
  • Dock Furniture: Your dock should be as comfortable as it is functional. Adding furniture such as modular seating, umbrella holders, tables, and similar accessories ensures that your dock is fun for users of all ages. Whether you’re resting after a long swim, enjoying a lakeside lunch, or gathering together to watch fireworks over the water, few accessories can really transform a dock as much as furniture.
  • Water Sports Accessories: The right watercraft accessories will not only make your water activities more accessible, they help to protect and secure your crafts. Lifts for jet skis and boats make docking simple and easy thanks to drive-on, push-off usability. Kayak launches and racks keep your dock organized and allow for quick and easy access to the water. If you enjoy fishing, the addition of rod holders, cleaning tables, and dock boxes to store your gear can transform even a simple dock into the best possible fishing hole.
    Protection and Security Features: Getting the most enjoyment out of your dock and watercraft means taking care of them, and there are many accessories that can help to secure and protect your investments. Dock bumpers are helpful to protect both your dock and your watercraft from impacts, while mooring whips and dock cleats are essential tools for tying down and securing your watercraft.
  • Eco-friendly Add-ons: Enjoying your waterfront comes with the responsibility of caring for the local environment, and that is true for your dock and its accessories. Materials made from eco-friendly and sustainable materials help preserve the natural balance of the environment and minimize the impact on aquatic life. Modern accessories such as solar-powered dock lights are not only convenient and better for the environment, they help save you money long-term on electricity and disposable batteries.  

Dock Upgrades that Add Property Value

Your dock is an investment. Waterfront property is always highly valuable, and that value only increases when you build docks that allow for easier waterfront access. The actual value it adds will depend on several factors that you can’t control, from the type of water access (river, lake, or bay), the surrounding shoreline (rocky, sandy, or marshlands), and how deep the water is. 

However, there are some things you can control that will help increase the value of your dock and your property.

Choice of Materials: Your choice of materials plays a key role in how your dock and any upgrades can increase property value. Using durable, long-lasting dock materials that do not impact the environment offer a high return on investment. If you’re planning a dock expansion, prioritize durable materials such as aluminum or composite plastics that are not only easy on the environment, but are also resistant to weather and harsh conditions. 

A word of warning about wood — sure it looks nice, but constant exposure to water and the elements will lead to the wood retaining too much moisture, which can then lead to rotting. Rotting docks are not only safety concerns that cost extra to repair or replace, certain types of treated wood can actively harm the environment by leeching chemicals into the water.  

Detailed Customization: Every shoreline is unique, which means that your dock should be customized to provide the best possible experience that fits your needs and your property. That means your best value will come from custom dock solutions built to fit your waterfront perfectly, which could be any combination of stationary, rolling, or floating docks. Your needs could also change over time, from needing a larger dock to host a growing family to needing repairs and upgrades after a heavy storm. 

two colorful kayaks sit in a kayak rack attached to a dock in a lake

That’s why we provide a wide variety of dock and decking options — so we can easily upgrade and adapt your dock as your needs change — whether that’s modifying the layout or adding new features. Working with FWM Docks ensures that you have a flexible, long-term solution and expert support throughout the lifetime of your dock. When you choose us, you’re not just getting a dock; you’re getting the expertise and resources of a big company paired with the personalized service of a trusted partner. 

Thoughtful Dock Expansions: Not every dock type is right for every situation, and any dock installation or expansion will need to consider local regulations. Part of our expertise comes from our decades of experience — we’ve seen it all, from small lakeside residential docks to massive, commercial installations. Whatever your dream dock looks like, we can work directly with you to help make it a reality. 

For example, if you want to add additional lounge and recreation areas to increase your waterfront use space, it’s not always possible to extend your dock or add platforms. That’s when creative solutions, such as installing a swim float, can extend your use of the water and open up more waterfront activities, even if it’s not a continuous expansion of your dock.  

We’ve completed thousands of dock projects across the Northeast and beyond, all with unique layouts and designs that balance our customers’ needs with thoughtful integration into the local environment. Take a look at our online photo gallery for additional examples of what’s possible with dock design and upgrades.


Why Upgrade or Replace Your Dock?

How will you know when it’s time to upgrade or replace your current dock? And what are the right steps to take when you do? Here’s our expert advice:

  • If there are signs of structural damage or safety concerns, then it’s time. If you’re seeing rotting wood, rusted metal, or warped and/or loose boards then things are only going to get worse the longer you wait. Not only is the dock hazardous to use, it’s likely to negatively affect your property value. The general rule of thumb is that a wooden dock will need to be repaired or replaced within 10 to 20 years, while composite or aluminum docks will need some attention after 30 years.
  • Everything changes over time, so consider if your dock meets your current needs or is still suited to the existing environment. Where a growing family might need to upgrade to a larger dock for more space and activities, you might also need to downgrade to a smaller, more manageable layout if you’re having trouble taking care of a larger dock system. Water levels and shorelines can also change over time, making water access more difficult. In these cases you may need to make adjustments to your on-ramps or even switch to a different dock type.
  • When selecting designs or upgrades for your dock, you’ll want to keep flexibility in mind. Choose a design and materials that will make it easier to add more sections or new accessories as your needs change in the future. Innovative designs such as EZ Dock’s modular system make it easy to create the exact layout for your ideal dock.
  • When installing or expanding your dock, always be sure to obtain all the necessary permits and ensure compliance with local regulations to avoid potential issues. This is where custom dock designs are essential, helping you to stay compliant while still meeting your own needs.

Whether you’re making small updates to your dock or doing a completely new installation, we make the process as easy as possible. Our team has decades of experience, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. With full-time installation crews, in-house engineering, and our own manufacturing, we handle everything to ensure you enjoy the best product quality, extensive customization options, and excellent customer support.

Looking to find your perfect dock? Try our free dock selector tool or contact one of our dock specialists. We have the experience and capability to handle any waterfront challenge with confidence.

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