There’s nothing like a day of fun in the sun on your waterfront property. Whether you’re into boating, swimming, or just enjoying the gorgeous summer weather, a great dock is the start of all waterfront activity. When it comes to getting safely in and out of the water, you’re going to want a dock ladder you can trust to hold up over the years while also being practical and functional for your needs. That said, there are so many dock ladder designs to choose from - and no, they’re not all created equal. When you’re trying to decide between quality dock ladder designs, here’s what to look for before you buy.
What Dock Ladder Should I Buy?
There are three main dock ladder designs we sell here at Tommy Docks. Let’s start with the standard layout everyone likely used once in their lives and talk about why other options might fit your needs better.
Standard Dock Ladders
A standard dock ladder is exactly what you’d picture in a traditional dock setup. These ladders are installed in place and do not move. They are simply there to help you get in and out of the water. With a few of the steps sitting above water and a few below, you’re able to safely get in the water for whatever activity you’re choosing that day. Of course, that seems like it gets the job done, but there are other options that might benefit your needs even more.
Lifting Dock Ladder
A lifting dock ladder is designed to actually pull up out of the water when not in use. This has a few perks that you might not have considered. For example, waterfront property that experiences winter will likely find that the freezing temperatures of the season can take a toll on dock hardware and accessories. Ladders are no exception. Therefore, it’s helpful to pull your dock out of the water before it freezes as below-freezing temperatures come to your neighborhood. One other important thing to consider: your dock might not be ample space for the third type of ladder, so these simply pull up vertically and allow for the ladder steps to sit above water. The third type, however, is a bit more mobile than that.
Flip-Up Ladders
The final design, a flip-up ladder, doesn’t just move up vertically out of the water. This design actually extends deep into the water for shallow times as well as flips up out of the water and slides to be completely out of the way. This is a great option for those who don’t need their dock ladder at the ready all year long but want a stable option for when guests want to swim or hop in.
Still not sure what’s going to work best for your property? Contact Tommy Docks with questions!
