---
title: Should You Buy a Dock Kit or Aluminum Floating Dock? Here’s How to Decide
description: Learn the difference between Pond King's 2 types of floating docks made using aluminum frames; the Aluminum-framed Floating Dock and the Aluminum Dock Kit.
image: https://blog.pondking.com/hubfs/dock-kit-in-colorado.jpeg
---
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\<
read
# Choosing between Dock Kits or Aluminum Floating Docks
By Veronica Williams
Pond King, Inc. builds two types of floating docks made using aluminum frames; the Aluminum Floating Dock and the Dock Kit (pictured above).
For pond owners wanting to learn more about why you might choose a floating dock instead of a fixed pier, check out "[Docks for Ponds and Lakes](https://blog.pondking.com/docks-for-ponds-and-lakes)," but to learn about the difference between our two types of aluminum docks, read on.
## Floating Dock Kits
We build the [Pond King DIY Floating Dock Kits](https://pondking.com/products/floating-dock-kits) on a welded, all-aluminum tubular frame with channel cross-bracing. 
The "deck" portion of the dock is made from 4' x 7' 10" sections which you'll bolt together on-site to create either an 8' x 7'10" deck or a 12' x 7' 10" deck.
You can opt for a 7' 10" or 15' 8" long walkway. Each section will come with the appropriate number of floats already attached, and you can order your Dock Kit with or without the TimberTech decking.
If you opt for the [dock kit with decking](https://youtu.be/3-jGomjfHg8), all you have to do is bolt the sections together and attach the walkway to the base. If you get the [kit without decking](https://youtu.be/v7PP6Q3zHnU), you'll bolt the frame and walkway together, add the decking and then connect the walkway to the base.
### Where Does Pond King Ship Dock Kits?
We designed the Dock Kits so they can be shipped anywhere in the continental U.S. where an 18-wheeler can travel.
The kits are shipped on large pallets (95"x48") and their weight ranges from 400 - 1500 pounds depending on the size, so you'll need some heavy-duty equipment to offload the pallets. We only offer the Dock Kits in relatively small sizes (up to 12'x8' deck with a 16' walkway).
### Why Dock Kits are a Good Choice for Smaller Ponds
Since the deck bolts to the walkway and the walkway bolts to a base that is set in concrete, the Dock Kits are essentially a single piece once assembled and can only accommodate water elevation changes of less than 2-feet. As a result, the Dock Kits are ideal for smaller bodies of water that don't have a lot of wave action or current, stay pretty much full all the time, and will be used by only 2 to 4 people at a time.
The accessories available on the Dock Kits include:
- Boat cleats and/or bumpers
- Swim ladder (fixed or hinged)
The Dock Kits are a convenient and affordable way to get a floating dock for your backyard pond. But, if you need a larger dock, or the water in your pond fluctuates more than 2', you'll want to consider our Aluminum Floating Dock.
## Aluminum Floating Docks
We build the [Pond King Aluminum-framed Floating Docks](https://pondking.com/collections/aluminum-floating-docks) using a stacked, double frame of welded 1.5-inch square tubing, which we also use for the cross-bracing. The additional material creates a stiffer sub-structure that can hold more weight and withstand more water motion and weather.
These docks always come decked with TimberTech composite deck boards, and we only use hot-dipped, galvanized fasteners and components. The floats for all of our docks are encapsulated with a polyethylene shell with UV inhibitors.
The walkway is bolted to the base, but a hinge between the walkway and the deck allows the Aluminum-framed dock to rise and fall with water elevation changes up to 4 feet.
### Two Options for Floating Dock Installation
Option 1, the Pond King team delivers and installs your aluminum floating dock.
In that case, we'll build it out entirely at our facility in Gainesville, Texas, and drive it to your location on a large flatbed trailer. We'll set the base at the shoreline by driving a series of four stakes into the ground. Next, we'll back the trailer into your pond or lake to float the dock and walkway off. Then, we'll attach the walkway to the base and the deck to the walkway. There is a hinge between the walkway and the deck, so these docks can accommodate up to 4 feet of water elevation changes.
Option 2, you live too far away for us to deliver and install the dock.
In that case, we can build the Aluminum Floating Dock so that it can ship in sections that you'll bolt together. In this self-install scenario, as with the Dock Kits, you would need some type of heavy-duty equipment to offload the dock from a flatbed gooseneck trailer and get it to your installation site.
#### Custom Floating Dock Options for Private Pond Owners
You can customize your Aluminum Floating Dock with the following accessories:
- Railing options for the deck and walkway
- 4' Aluminum dock bench (raw or powder coated)
- Aluminum dock table (raw or powder coated)
- Umbrella
- Boat cleats and/or bumpers
- Flush-mount rod holders
- Swim ladder (fixed or hinged)
- Tempress ProBax seat
- Mounted fish feeder
Like the Floating Dock Kits, we can deliver the Aluminum-framed Floating Docks to any location in the continental U.S.
Each property is different, so we'll discuss your delivery options to see what works best for you. A lot of times we'll use a hot-shot driver with a 30' gooseneck trailer.
Sometimes we can leave the dock fully assembled - as long as you have room for him to get in and out easily, and there's room for the trailer to back into the water. If not, we can break the dock down into smaller sections, and they can be offloaded with equipment and then bolted together.
Either way, you'd need to have a piece of equipment to offload the sections and/or walkway.
But, if you live within a half-day drive of Pond King, we can deliver and install the dock for you.
#### Deck Size Options for a Pond King Custom Floating Dock
You can choose from four deck sizes (10'x8', 12'x10', 16'x10', and 20'x10') and two different walkway lengths (10' or 20'). The largest Aluminum-framed Floating Dock we offer can accommodate up to 8 people. These docks are a great choice for any pond or lake where the water elevations don't fluctuate more than 4 feet.
## Contact Pond King for help choosing the perfect floating pond dock!
If you need more help deciding which of these two docks is suitable for you, don't hesitate to give us a [call](tel:940-236-2773) or [contact us](https://pondking.com/pages/contact). If you live in Texas and need a dock that will handle water elevation changes up to 10', check out our [Standard Steel-framed Floating Docks](https://pondking.com/collections/steel-floating-docks). And, if you want an awning, look into our [Deluxe Steel-Framed Floating Docks](https://pondking.com/collections/deluxe-steel-floating-docks).
We hope to see y'all down at the pond!
Tags: [Down at the Pond](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/down-at-the-pond), [Built from Scratch](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/built-from-scratch)
### Related Articles
## [Building Fisheries, Family Traditions, and the Future of Pond King](https://blog.pondking.com/building-fisheries-family-traditions-and-the-future-of-pond-king)
Topics: [Down at the Pond](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/down-at-the-pond), [Built from Scratch](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/built-from-scratch)
## [How to Buy a Boat](https://blog.pondking.com/how-to-buy-a-boat)
Topics: [Down at the Pond](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/down-at-the-pond), [Built from Scratch](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/built-from-scratch)
## [How to Install a Floating Dock — And Can You Really Do It Yourself?](https://blog.pondking.com/pond-kings-guide-to-installing-a-floating-dock-is-diy-right-for-you)
Topics: [Down at the Pond](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/down-at-the-pond), [Built from Scratch](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/built-from-scratch)
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