home | profile | services | links | contact us

Floats

A float is a structure, usually wood, concrete, steel or plastic, that floats on top of the water, usually for the purpose of parking a boat, or for recreational activities.

Integrated Planning has over 30 years of experience in the design of floats. Floats are engineered to suite each site, taking into account wave climate and use. Integrated Planning prides itself on designing quality products which are easy to build, require low maintenance, and have a long shelf life.

Float Designs

Timber

Timber floats are the preferred type of float in British Columbia due to the availability of wood products, ease of construction, and most of all low cost.

Concrete

Concrete floats are superior in strength and longevity to timber floats however are much more expensive to construct and do not function well as seasonal floats.

Steel

Steel floats are used more for industrial applications and are costly to design and construct and maintain.

Related Float Resources

Floats are designed only using quality products. For example, there are 3 types of styrofoam. Type 1 is cheap but absorbed water resulting in poorer float performance over time. Type 2 is water resistant and holds up well in the marine environment. Type 3 is a premium blend that offers best performance. Most contractors will install Type 1 styrofoam to reduce costs. The result is a float which only lasts 10 years after which replacement of the float will be required, resulting in additions costs born by the owner. Floats should be designed with Type 2 styrofoam or better to ensure longevity.