Tips for Building a Boathouse

According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, boat sales in the U.S. reached a 13-year high in 2020. This is part of the reason why more boat owners across the country are looking to add a boathouse on their property. A boathouse offers safe, long-term storage while providing a new space to host events.

If you’re a pro looking to looking to expand your services into building boathouses or a homeowner interested in learning more about how they’re built, we’re here to help. Join the experts at Envision Outdoor Living for a few key tips for building a boathouse.

Find the Right Location

When you’re building a boathouse, be prepared to do some research up front. Many cities have set guidelines or rules for any construction projects that will take place on a shoreline. This usually means consulting an engineer and a professional site planner who can do formal tests of the water and figure out the long-term impact a boathouse will have on the shoreline ecosystem.

It’s key to find the right location for a boathouse. You’ll want to look for a space that doesn’t obstruct yours or your neighbors’ views and a spot where the water depth will allow a boat to come in and out regardless of the tide. You’ll also want to check the local building codes for anything that might impact the design of the boathouse, like having a maximum square footage or if it must be built parallel to the shore.

Consider Using Composite Decking for Building a Boathouse

When you’re at the stage of choosing materials for a boathouse project, using composite decking as a floor surface, should be at the top of your list. Composite decking is the ideal building material choice for an attached dock and parts of the boathouse interior. Composite deck boards are known for their low maintenance and long-term durability. Plus, this material is designed to hold up against the elements like being directly exposed to water.

Envision composite decking has a wide variety of colors to choose from that offer the exact look you want. Every deck board also has a deep, non-repeating grain that looks beautiful while providing a strong grip underfoot.

Envision decking products are?Different by Design?thanks to a proprietary process that uses?compression technology. We use intense heat and pressure to create a best-in-class bond between the cap and our EverGrain Core?. The result is a deck board can withstand the harsh weather conditions on the water and that’s resistant to cracking, splintering, and splitting.

Build Based on the Foundation

Unlike some other types of building projects, the foundation of a boathouse can be different from project to project. A boathouse can be anchored intothe sand or clay, or it can be designed to partly float on the water. A partially floating boathouse is a popular choice for homeowners, but the construction can be a challenge. You’ll likely have to get an engineer involved to analyze the estimated weight of the parts touching the water and what type of buoyancy features that will need to be built in.

For homeowners looking to raise their boats out of the water for the winter, a crib foundation offers a solid foundation to accomplish that design. Some of the best places for a crib foundation is sand or bedrock. Boathouses that use this type of foundation are usually built five to six feet away from the shore to limit the impact on the natural water flow.

Base Your Design on Usage

If you’re a pro building a boathouse for a client, be sure to ask them what their plans are for using the space outside of boat storage. Oftentimes, the answer to this question can inform the entire design. For example, if a homeowner is looking to use a boathouse to entertain, incorporating an attached deck would be a good option.

Once you have a clear picture of what design you’re leaning toward, it will also help determine what types of materials you’ll need to complete the project. Keep in mind that one type of material can be used in different ways. You can use composite decking for an attached dock for a seamless look and boost the appeal of the boathouse itself by using coordinating decking for cladding.

Envision Has Products for Your Boathouse Project

Whether you’re a pro or homeowner, Envision Outdoor Living products can add value to a boathouse project. Our?composite decking?and?Fairway railing?collections are perfect for bringing your vision of a waterfront boathouse to life.?Request a sample?and get your project started today.