If you love spending time on the water and enjoy taking a dip from your home, a floating dock plans can be a great way to make the most of your waterfront property. Whether you're entertaining guests or simply enjoying a few hours with your family, a floating dock  offers convenience and ease. With a few simple design ideas, you can build your own floating dock to suit your lifestyle.

Floating docks can be built with a variety of materials, including wood and fiber-reinforced concrete. However, if you're looking for the most durable and long-lasting option, you'll want to select modified wood decking that can help lower maintenance needs.

The Frame

Whether you choose to build your dock with aluminum, wood or steel, the frame will be key to keeping the floats securely in place and making repairs when necessary. While the frame may look like just another piece of decking, it's actually a critical part of the overall structure and should be constructed in a manner that snugly hugs the floats once they're lowered onto the water.

A frame that's designed to withstand the rigors of the lake can be made out of a variety of materials, including aluminum, wood or fiber-reinforced concrete. The materials that you use to construct the frame will be dependent on a number of factors, including your shoreline and lake-bottom configuration, local ordinances, and your own personal preferences.

You'll also need to consider the level of moisture that's found near your dock. This will impact the material used to construct the frame, as well as the decking that's placed on top of the floats.

As you plan out your dock, keep in mind that it's likely going to need some kind of anchor system. This will allow your dock to be easily moved around when needed, or removed for repair or storage in dry land during the winter months.

There are several different types of anchors that you can use for this purpose, but the most common is a chain that's attached to a group of blocks that are sunk into the ground in your desired dock corner location. Then, the chains hang down and are connected to a shackle that attaches to your dock's frame.

Having an anchor system that can be moved to different positions can save you both time and money in the long run. Adding this feature to your dock can be a great way to ensure that you have the best possible experience with your new dock.

In addition, having the ability to change your configuration as your needs and budget dictate can be a huge benefit of a floating dock. This can be especially useful if you're planning to expand your dock as you gain more boats or simply grow your family.

A great resource for all your dock construction and installation needs is Overton's. They carry a full line of dock essentials from floats to stringers and everything in between, as well as an extensive selection of decking products that can help your dock blend into the landscape seamlessly. With their wide selection and expertise, you'll be able to find all the tools and supplies you need to build a beautiful, long-lasting floating dock that you're sure to love for years to come!

The Benefits of an Off Grid Solar System

When it comes to renewable energy power, solar is one of the most popular options. It harnesses the sun’s energy through the photovoltaic process and converts it into alternating current (AC) that can be used to run many home and commercial appliances.

The solar panels on your roof generate electricity, which is then sent to a battery and inverter to store and use it later. There are many types of batteries available, including lead acid, lithium ion, and salt water. Lithium batteries are the best option, as they’re lightweight, compact, and have a long lifespan.

Batteries play a crucial role in off grid systems, as they can provide backup power during cloudy days or when the sun doesn’t shine at all. They’re also an important part of a back-up plan in case your system goes down, or in emergency situations such as a power outage.

A backup generator is typically gas-powered and recharges your battery bank when your solar panels can’t produce enough energy. This type of generator can be extremely costly, ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.

Your solar installation will vary based on the size of your solar array and the materials you choose for your equipment. Labor and materials costs are significantly higher in urban areas, but milder climates with longer roofing seasons tend to have lower overall prices.

You can size your off grid solar system based on your monthly energy bill, or you can do a load assessment to estimate how much power your home requires. If your household uses more electricity than the average home, you may need to invest in a larger system.

An off grid solar system is a great choice for people who live in rural areas or off the beaten track and aren’t tied to the electric utility company. This allows them to avoid high power bills and make their homes more self-sufficient.

Another benefit of off-grid solar systems is that they’re often more affordable than grid-tied systems in remote locations. This can be especially helpful for farmers and those who live in areas that are far from electricity lines.

If you want to get an off grid solar system for your home, you need to make sure that the panels, inverter, battery, and charger are all sized correctly. This is important because it ensures that your system will be able to handle your home’s power needs and can last you for many years.

Once you’ve decided what size of solar system you need, the next step is to find a good off grid solar system supplier. The right supplier will be able to guide you through the entire process and ensure that your new system works well for many years.

You can find an off grid solar system supplier by looking online or asking friends and family for recommendations. It’s important to find a reliable provider with good reviews and a solid warranty. This will give you peace of mind that your new system will work well for years to come and help you save money in the long run.