The waterfront consists of the interface between the land and the water body like the lakeside, riverside, or shoreline. Over the years, the waterfront has become the target point for urban real estate projects. The shoreline in the ocean, lake, and the river environment defines the waterfront structures and its development both in economic and efficiency terms requires the vast experience of a geotechnical engineer with knowledge used in developing a waterfront system.
Waterfront construction is the development of a deck, dock, or home directly in front of a water body (lake, river, ocean). This type of construction is usually on the high side in terms of the price.
While developing the waterfront, it is expedient to select the right type of dock of the property that would suit the local environment. There are two types of docks; Floating and Stationary.
Stationary Dock
This type of dock is developed as an extension of the house where the posts holding it down in the water is buried deep into the soil. The dock is usually designed to avoid movement even when the water is turbulent. The dock is reinforced against tensions and collisions. The stationary dock is best suited for a place where the water level is constant.
Advantages of a stationary dock
- When there is high traffic of people, the dock is able to withstand the movement and watercraft activity.
- They provide a sturdy footing while boarding and getting off the boat.
Disadvantages of a stationary dock
- For the cases with repairs, this can be difficult and expensive to fix since the pillars are deep into the water.
- Problems with breaking or curving are almost a definite occurrence.
- Rapid changes in the water tides can make it difficult to enter or arrive the boat safely.
Floating Dock
As the name implies, this type of dock literally floats on the water surface, but they have been either attached to an existing structure or left anchored on the water.
Advantages of floating dock
- The setup and maintenance do not cost much when compared with stationary dock.
- Due to its setup model, the same floating dock can be used in different sites.
Disadvantages of floating dock
- They are not suitable for places with high water traffic.
- Since dock follows the ebb and flow of water, walking on it might not be comfortable.
Difference between pontoon and jetty
While these two waterfronts construction might look alike, there are distinctions that set them apart, lying beneath the water surface.
Pontoon is a floating structure but fixed at a specific place. It consists of a walkway, stainless steel cable kit, and aluminium strut arm. The several methods for fixing include the following:
- Piled pontoons: this is when a pontoon is fitted using two piles. But in the case of a heavier or larger pontoon, more piles will be required.
- PVC in-situ piles: this is constructed using a hollow PVC pipe filled with concrete in the seabed.
- Spun concrete piles: this is constructed using stronger pile than in-situ, which is more expensive.
Jetty is waterfront construction fixed in a specific place which never affected by the current of the water. It is constructed with timber, making the cost of maintaining can be a big issue as water and timber are not a good collaboration.
However, pontoons and jetty offer excellent benefits for those interested in enjoying the waterfront lifestyle, using the platform for fishing, launching a jet ski or a boat, or just watching the waterside.
Hire the leading pontoon jetty builders to build the right type of dock that will serve your particular purpose.