What Is the Best Decking for Docks? A Helpful Guide to Getting It Right
If you’ve got a dock—or are planning to build one—you’ve probably asked yourself: What’s the best decking for a dock? It’s a reasonable question, and the answer depends on what matters most to you: durability, safety, appearance, cost, or maintenance.
Let’s walk through the options, the pros and cons, and why SunWalk® Marine Decking is quickly becoming the go-to choice for dock owners who want to do it right the first time.
What is the Best Decking for a Dock?
The “best” really comes down to this: how long will it last, how good will it look, and how much time (and money) will I have to spend maintaining it?
Traditional materials like wood and composite have been used for years, but new materials like reinforced plastic decking—like SunWalk®—are changing the game. They combine durability, safety, and long-term value in ways that older materials just can’t match.
What is the Longest Lasting Dock Material?
Durability is key when your dock is exposed to:
- Full sun, all summer long
- Ice and snow in the winter
- Salt or freshwater environments
- Heavy foot traffic, equipment, pets, and more
SunWalk® decking is made from UV-stabilized polypropylene with a proprietary Microcellular Core. That means it won’t crack, splinter, rot, or warp like wood—and it doesn’t fade or degrade like many composites. It’s built for decades of trouble-free performance, even in the harshest waterfront environments.
What Type of Wood is Best for a Dock?
If you’re set on wood, Ipe or Cedar are often considered top choices. They look great and hold up better than basic pine. But even hardwoods require regular staining, sealing, and inspection to avoid rot, splinters, or warping.
Bottom line? Wood can look beautiful—for a while—but it needs a lot of love to stay that way.
Is Composite Decking Good for a Dock?
Composite decking (a mix of wood fibers and plastic) was a popular low-maintenance option for years. It resists rot better than wood and doesn’t need staining—but many brands still get hot, fade over time, or even grow slippery when wet.
And because many composites still include wood fibers, they’re not completely immune to mold or decay.
In contrast, SunWalk® marine decking is 100% plastic, so it’s immune to water damage, mold, and rot—and designed to stay cool, non-slip, and low-maintenance for the long haul.
What is the Most Durable Type of Decking?
If you want tough, you want marine-grade plastic decking—especially something with proven structural integrity like SunWalk’s 90-Series or 45-Series.
These are built to handle:
- Storm surges
- Freeze/thaw cycles
- Heavy loads (yes—even UTVs!)
- Bare feet, boat traffic, and salt spray
And they look good doing it—with clean, modern lines or wood-look options that keep your dock sharp for years without the usual dock chores.
Is Pressure-Treated Lumber Safe for Docks?
Pressure-treated wood is common because it’s affordable and treated to resist rot. But it can leach chemicals into the water—especially in older docks built before stricter environmental rules. And over time, even treated wood can crack, warp, and splinter, especially around water.
If your dock is near a sensitive shoreline or used by kids and pets, a safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly decking option like SunWalk is a smarter (and safer) bet.
The Final Word: What’s Right for Your Dock?
If you want:
- ✅ Zero maintenance
- ✅ Long-lasting durability
- ✅ Slip resistance (wet or dry)
- ✅ Storm and UV resistance
- ✅ Lightweight, easy installation
- ✅ A look that lasts for decades
Then SunWalk® Marine Decking might just be your dock’s new best friend.
Whether you’re building a dock from scratch or upgrading an old one, investing in the right decking means more time enjoying the water—and less time fixing it.
Ready to walk the dock without the hassle?
Visit sunwalkdocks.com to explore your options or connect with a decking expert today at 1 (844) 478-6925 or info@sunwalkdocks.com.
