Flange Floats vs. Standard Floats: What’s the Difference?
When comparing options for a floating dock, you may notice a unique style called the flange float. These floats offer distinct advantages in attachment flexibility and versatility. In short: they are much more forgiving during the installation process.
What Are Flange Floats?
A flange float features a full, molded lip (the flange) around all four sides. This flange serves as the mounting surface, designed to be drilled through so you can run lag bolts or connection hardware directly into your frame.
- No special washer fittings.
- No special plates.
- No fixed attachment targets.
- You get a durable perimeter engineered to handle the load of attachment wherever is most convenient for the installer.
Why That Matters
Unlike floats with fixed mounting locations, a flange provides flexible attachment options. This means:
- You don’t have to match a standard attachment pattern.
- You don’t have to adjust your frame if a float measures slightly short or long.
- You have more freedom in module size and layout.
This is especially useful because float dimensions can vary by approximately 2% depending on molding conditions and temperature, which is why building your frame before receiving your floats is always a risky move.
Flange Floats vs. Rivet-Pattern Floats
Traditional floats often come with evenly spaced molded rivets, or "attachment points," on the sides. These are the only places you can bolt through, which creates a few limitations:
- With Rivet-Pattern Floats:
- Your joist spacing must match the rivet spacing.
- Attachment points are fixed, not flexible.
- Misalignment often requires reworking the frame.
Rivet-pattern floats work great; but only if you intentionally build your frame around their specific spacing.
With Flange Floats: Because the flange provides one continuous mounting plane, you gain:
- Total freedom in joist layout.
- Easier installation for DIY builders.
- Simple alignment (no hunting for specific rivet holes).
- Better adaptability to custom-shaped dock sections.
- A reinforced perimeter designed specifically for hardware.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Flange Floats if you want:
- An easier, more forgiving installation.
- The freedom to design any joist spacing.
- A more flexible dock layout with fewer "dimension headaches."
- The ability to mix module sizes and shapes easily.
- Choose Rivet-Pattern Floats if:
- You are matching an existing system.
- Your frame is already built specifically for those rivet locations.
- You require a specific float size not currently offered in a flange style.
Rivet-pattern floats force your joist spacing to match the manufacturer's design. Flange floats let you design the dock your way.
Need help choosing the right floats for your layout? We’re always happy to take a look and offer a recommendation!👉 Contact The Dock Shop
