Here's What Matters: Attaching dock floats is straightforward but important. Store-bought washers work, but our Dock Shop custom washers are precision-sized to fit dock floats perfectly, prevent flange stress, and make installation easier. If you’re still planning your frame, contact us for help before you start.
When you’re building your own floating dock, attaching the floats is one of those steps that looks simple—but it’s worth doing right the first time. Whether you’re framing with lumber, composite, steel, or aluminum, how you mount your dock floats determines how well your dock performs and how long it lasts.
Let’s walk through the process and talk about a small but mighty detail that makes a big difference—our Dock Shop custom washers.
Step 1: Get Your Frame, Floats, and Hardware Layout Set
Start by making sure your dock frame is square and supported on a flat surface. Lay out your floats according to your plan so that their mounting flanges align neatly with the frame. Get your hardware in place, with your washers and connectors.
If you're using the custom washers, it's important to note what size you get! Although most floats use the large half moon washers, we have 2 sizes that have smaller rivets (2x3's and 20"x72"). Take a look and double check which floats you have.
Step 2: Mark and Drill
Once your floats are positioned, mark the bolt hole location directly on your frame. Then, drill pilot holes for your hardware. Because the floats shift while you're working, it is best to each of these holes one at a time.
If you’re building with lumber or composite, we recommend using our Dock Shop lag bolts. They’re sized perfectly for our floats and washers—no guesswork required. Even if you're using steel or aluminum frames, our custom washers may work for that setup, although those frames require a different installation, and it's important to understand how your floats will connect differently.
Step 3: Choose the Right Washers
Here’s where things get interesting: You can absolutely use standard washers from your local hardware store—nothing wrong with that. But if you’re still in the buying phase, we highly recommend our Custom Dock Shop washers.
They’re precision-sized to match our float mounting flanges perfectly. That means:
- No uneven pressure
- A tight, consistent seal between float and frame
- Reduced risk of flange stress or warping over time
In short: they’re not mandatory, just made to fit.
Step 4: Mount the Floats
Position your float with the frame and line up the holes. Tighten each connection evenly until the flange (the lip) compresses slightly—snug, not crushed. Repeat across all mounting points and double-check alignment as you go.
Step 5: Final Inspection
Once all floats are attached, carefully flip the dock over or lower it into the water to test for balance. Check that all bolts are tight and the floats are sitting evenly.
A Note on Planning Your Frame
If you haven’t yet decided what kind of frame you’re building—wood, composite, steel, or aluminum—we can help with that too. Each has its own strengths and ideal hardware setup. Take a look through our other DIY dock building blogs for inspiration, or contact us anytime for personalized guidance.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to overthink hardware—but the details matter. Store-bought washers and bolts can work just fine, but if you want components that were built specifically for dock floats, our custom washers and lag bolts will save you time, hassle, and rework down the line.
They’re the “just right” fit for a dock that’s built to last.