Boathouses have come a long way from their initial appearance as basic protection for our boats. They are now an integral part of cottage life.
In this segment of our boathouse series, we focus on docks, decks, décor and more.
Structural Engineers
There is much more professional involvement now than in the past at all stages of building a boathouse, including structural engineers.
“By code, a steel structure, a welded structure, that’s going to support a building must be engineered by a professional engineer,” states Kip Coggins, Kontek Engineering Ltd.
“My involvement is the physical design of the dock and often the structure right up to the top of the boathouse itself,” he adds.
Larger boathouses, with cathedral ceilings and post and beam etc., need to be engineered.
“Boathouse features now often include items such as large rock fireplaces,” adds Greg Break, Cottage Country Steel Docks. “A steel structure is required to support that kind of weight.”
“If docks haven’t been constructed to accept the weight of these modern day boathouses, which means the docks haven’t been engineered, then in all likelihood they will have to come out and be rebuilt,” explains Doug Fitzmaurice, Fitzmaurice Bros. Carpentry.
Brian Higgins, Cottage Country Construction says, “Whether you’re planning a boathouse with living quarters or a boat port, the structure must be considered before you put in the dock.
“We’ve seen docks built without full consideration of the final boathouse plan and it can mean pulling out parts of the dock and putting in new piles, cribs, or beams under the dock for support - adding time and cost.”
“We are given the architectural drawings after the docks and boathouses have been designed as far as the layout, the shape of the dock, number of slips etc.,” explains Coggins. It has all been talked out and liaisoned between the owner and architect. They give us the drawings and say, ‘Your job is to make sure it doesn’t fall down at the end of the day.’”
Zoning by-law provisions vary throughout Muskoka in terms of their definition and regulations.
“There are different definitions for boathouses and boat ports, balconies and decks, verandas and porches, covered and uncovered areas of boathouses,” explains Marie Poirier, Poirier Planning and Associates.
“Each of these features or structures carries provisions for coverage, height, width, location, setback, as well as regulations governing how the provisions are measured.
“How an application is structured and presented to a municipality is crucial to the success of obtaining the appropriate permit or variance to the by-law,” she adds.
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| Photograph: Courtesy of Foley Construction |
Docks
Docks in 30 feet of water supporting a two-storey boathouse with living space can be subject to huge forces and stresses from windstorms and wave action.
Structures built over water are expected to support heavy boats now commonly lifted out with electric boatlifts after every weekend.
They are storage for all the latest, heavier more powerful personal watercraft. Canoes, paddleboats, sailboats, rowboats, skis, wakeboards and tubes will all be kept there.
Crib Docks
“Crib docks are less costly than steel docks. They need to be in shallow water and are more often found on the smaller lakes then on the three big ones,” says Coggins.
“Wooden crib docks have been around for hundreds of years,” adds Greg Robinson, GR Construction.
Although crib docks are still being constructed as a tried and true method, size limitations and environmental restrictions have gradually reduced the number built in recent years.
Loss of fish habitat has forced changes to the construction of docks. Traditional wood cribs have been severely curtailed, reduced in size or not permitted at all in certain areas.
“A crib dock sits on the lake bottom,” explains Break, “so over time it sinks and starts to tilt.”
Coggins adds, “You are looking at about 10 to 15 years before you have major repairs on crib docks.”
Any living accommodation supported by cribs will now require the docks be engineered. This can be somewhat onerous when they sit on mud and silt of varying depths and on smaller cribs than would be ideal.
Steel Docks
As a response, steel piles driven through the layer of silt to bedrock then welded to form the framework for the dock have become common.
These must be professionally engineered to support the intended structure with bearing and load points predetermined and appropriate bracing welded in place by licensed companies with certified structural welders.
Some of the earlier steel docks were a little lacking in detail and engineering. The building code did not directly address this type of construction. This has now changed for the better.
Contractors and consumers are now assured there is a level playing field and all of the businesses engaged in this type of work are well qualified to do so.
Steel docks work for any body of water and for any shoreline. They can be installed in rocky, sandy, shallow or deepwater shorelines.
“A steel dock can be built in 20 + feet of water and still hold up a boathouse,” states Carole Foley, Les Foley Construction.
There are a couple of ways to construct steel docks. There are different materials used by different companies.
“Some use I-beam piles, while others use round piles filled with concrete,” explains Break. “For some steel docks, the piles are driven into the overburden, which is the lake bottom. In a different scenario we would drill and pin the piles to the rock.”
Designing and building steel docks since 1992, Philipp Spoerndli, Nordcap Steel Docks and Homes, wanted an alternative to crib docks.
“We drive piles with 9/16” thick walls into the bedrock – larger than the one quarter inch norm,” states Spoerndli. “These piles are then filled with concrete to prevent rust forming on the inside. The piles are the most important part of a dock.”
“The footprint of a steel dock is much less than that of a crib dock – meaning less disturbance on the lake bottom,” adds Break.
“On a 2,000 square foot crib dock you may have up to six or seven cribs at 64 square feet each,” says Spoerndli.
“We are just doing a 2,800 square foot steel dock and the area of the lake bottom taken up with the piles is only six and a half square feet. Not only is there less of an impact on the lake bottom with a steel dock, you also use a lot less wood.
“We determined that by applying a submersion-approved coating we could obtain the best protection. By protecting the outside of the pile with an epoxy coating, the lifespan of the submersed steel is extended,” asserts Spoerndli.
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| Boathouse and dock structures must be strong enough to lift boats and store heavy equipment. Photograph: Courtesy of Nordcap Steel Docks and Homes |
“Steel docks unlike crib docks will not sink, or twist out of shape,” states Foley. “Steel docks, good for the fish habitat, are actually pre-approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources. We don’t have to go through any permit approval process to build a steel dock.
“All of our steel is treated with a red oxidized primer before it is put into the lake,” Foley continues, “then all welds are touched up and painted.
“We also do the steel upper structures for boathouses and boatlifts and will arrange the permit, hire the engineer and help with the design of your dock,” she adds.
Several legalities and regulations exist. “For example,” says Foley, “if you are removing a dock, you have to go to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR); if you are over 50 square meters, you have to go to the Department of Oceans and Fisheries; if you are in a protected fish habitat there are different scenarios in which you would have to go to the MNR. Of course, you have to go to your own municipality to get the permit to build, as well.”
“As the shorelines are being used up we are finding more and more deep water docks – docks in 30, 35, 40 feet of water and it does become a bit of a design challenge,” asserts Coggins.
“You get a three-slip, two-storey boathouse that’s going onto a dock that is in 30 feet of water. That’s like constructing a building on top of a telephone pole! We have proprietary designs we utilize for those particular kinds of docks,” says Coggins.
Cantilevered Docks
Less used but certainly a viable option to support a boathouse is a steel cantilevered dock system.
Very deep water will dictate a different approach to construction. Cantilevered docks have no contact or support from the lake bottom. They are well engineered, a good solution, unaffected by winter ice and free of corrosion from the more acidic lake water found in some of Muskoka’s lakes.
Floating Docks
Floating docks can offer another good alternative for deep-water problems. These modern, rigid steel floating systems should not be confused with bouncy, less massive docks not intended to support anything but people loads.
“When you walk on a floating dock, you think you are walking on a solid structure,” explains Doug Bentley, Muskoka Floating Docks. Anchored to the shore, the weight of the steel gives it stability.
“One advantage of a floating dock is that it re-levels itself,” he continues. “When the water level fluctuates, the dock doesn’t. Incoming boats meet the dock at the same contact point, no matter the current water level.”
Floating boathouses are in the design stage. “This is a totally new concept,” states Bentley.
“We have been working on this for the past few years. Kevin Yik, a naval architect, designer of the Wenonah II, has been developing the design and we’re hoping to have one ready this summer.
“It’s important to understand the floating boathouse only floats when you want it to move,” he continues.
“For instance, some have a problem with ice. With a floating boathouse you can move it to the other side of the island, or to a location where there is not a problem with ice, and move it back again in the spring.”
All docks serve a purpose and are engineered accordingly; the difference will be reflected in the size and cost. Fluctuating water levels such as on Georgian Bay will be well addressed with a floating system.
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| Photograph: Courtesy of A.F. Construction |
Winter
Winter ice can be very destructive to any dock or structure other than cantilevers.
“Bubblers” as they are widely known are used extensively to protect docks. The most common is a submersible electric motor with a propeller that is suspended in the lake. Its purpose is to draw the warmer water from the lake bottom to prevent the ice from forming around the dock. The effect is to create an ice-free area all winter long. Good insurance, particularly in some locations, which seem to be more susceptible to pressure ridges formed under certain winter weather conditions.
What’s next for docks?
“The next round of dock building,” states Coggins, “will be repairs of docks that were built 35 years ago. Boathouses that are sinking because they have been put on crib docks will be raised up.”
“More and more older boathouses are sagging into the water,” agrees Break. “The older crib docks are rotting out. We have actually already started jacking up boathouses to build a steel dock beneath and then set the boathouse back down on the dock.”
Boathouse exterior
Careful selection of material for the exterior of a boathouse is required,” explains Kevin Browne, NorStar Exteriors.
“The exterior of the boathouse must be durable. Not only do boathouses get direct sunlight and the added reflection from the water, they are exposed to all kinds of weather with little or no protection,” Browne continues.
“Most are done in wood or cement board. If vinyl siding is chosen it must be top quality so that the ultraviolet rays have less effect.
“We do a lot of Enviroshake roofs on boathouses,” he adds. “They have a 50-year warranty and can withstand anything the climate can throw.”
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| Aluminum railings are custom made to match the decor and design of the custom home. Photograph: Courtesy of Excel Enclosures |
Decking
“Decking is often the focal point of the lakeside,” begins Gary Clark, Edenlane Homes. “Decks should be large enough to entertain groups, yet cozy enough for candlelit dinners for two.
“An elevated deck provides a better view. Decks can also be used as outdoor dining rooms, secure play areas for the children and pets and places to cool off on those hot summer nights. There are now a multitude of material choices for decks from wood to composites,”says Clark.
Traditional cedar boards, synthetic wood fibers bonded with resins, waterproof membranes and aggregates are now all options to consider for your deck. Each has specific advantages.
Natural wood fibers, recycled plastics and resins are being bonded together to form boards with textured surfaces and rounded edges that mimic real wood. Extended life expectancy and no maintenance become part of the package everyone is looking for.
New growth cedar does not contain the same degree of natural oils that inhibit decay, as in the past. Deck boards and other horizontal surfaces exposed to the weather are not lasting more than about 10 or 12 years.
A composite deck is an option to the traditional cedar or pressure treated deck. It won’t rot or splinter. Along with a better non-slip surface there is no staining, peeling, slivers, cracking, warping or twisting.
Derek Pollock, Hickory Dickory Decks, specializes in building low maintenance composite decks.
“I am usually involved in the design/idea stage,” says Pollock. “We create an outdoor environment with options that include outdoor kitchens, showers, hot tubs, gazebos, spas, cabanas, outdoor lighting and more. Decks can be designed in several shapes and levels. Wrap around stairs add elegance.
“Let the builder know the shape of your hottub and we can cut it into the deck rather than placing it on top,” he suggests. “Composite decking can virtually last a lifetime. It can be a one-time investment.”
“After reviewing a number of new decking products we chose to offer the Correct Deck CX,” states Browne. “It’s made from a polypropylene which has a low expansion factor and is the strongest plastic used in a decking material. Maintenance free, it’s as close to a fully recycled product as we can get. It is stain, mould and fade resistant and comes in five vibrant colours.”
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| Eleda Ward, Window Works, assists in the selection of custom windows. Photograph: Courtesy of Window Works Muskoka |
Waterproofing
“Years ago people tried rolled roofing and multi-layers of tarpaper and all kinds of things to waterproof the upper floors of a boathouse, but it just never lasted,” states Fitzmaurice.
“Now we have new products such as DuraDeck which is a vinyl membrane that’s heat-sealed over top of the plywood flooring. It has a drip cap that goes over the perimeter of the boathouse and any water that’s on that floor drains off and doesn’t leak through the floor.”
“Dec-K-ing offers a vinyl waterproofing system as well as an aluminum railing system available in picket or glass.” explains Arnold Fairbarn, A.F. Construction. “The walk-on waterproof membrane is a vinyl covering for sundecks, decks over living spaces, boathouses etc.
“You may want a sun room with storage underneath,” he continues. “Dec-K-ing will keep it dry and protect the storage area from the damaging effects of water.
“We often apply Dec-K-ing on plywood that sits under a wooden deck for those who still want the look of a wood deck but want water proofing because they have living space underneath,” describes Fairbarn.
Another waterproofing option is DecTec. “DecTec is applied over the stain, is guaranteed for at least 15 years and comes in a variety of colors to match your décor,” states Dan Turner, Turner Waterproofing Systems.
“Low maintenance, UV stabilized and treated for mould and mildew resistance, it’s a roofing membrane with a textured surface for balconies, sundecks and roof decks.”
Railing Systems
Don’t paint wooden exterior railings, the paint won’t stay on, and does more harm than good.
Take a good look at the new aluminum railings with lifetime finishes. Designed for that Muskoka look; 6 x 6 newels, double top railing, square pickets or glass inserts. Traditional railing. No painting. It’s the best of both worlds.
“Aluminum railings, with single or double rail, are popular because of their maintenance-free quality,” states Fairbarn
Aluminum railings can be designed to match the architecture of the home and boathouse. Lisa Cormack, Excel Enclosures, explains, “Custom built, our structural, maintenance-free, aluminum railings for decks and boathouses, aesthetically complement the custom built home.
“Contractors will say ‘This is the grid work on the windows,’ or ‘We’re using large posts,’ and we’ll design the railings accordingly. We can match any home design and any size or shape of deck.
“While white, sand and black are our basic colours, we custom-colour to suit our clients’ needs,” she continues. “Our post sizes vary from 2 1/4 to 6 inches with picket, glass or a combination of both. We can literally give our customers whatever they request in aluminum railings and it will last forever.”
CraftBilt decks and railings are designed for on-site fabrication to achieve a seamless blend with the architecture of your home.
“These railings have a unique system that eliminates unsightly screws,” states Turner. “They are offered in a variety of colours, styles and finishes.”
“When buying do-it-yourself railing or vinyl,” adds Fairbarn, “make sure it meets building code requirements... and in the case of railing that it has the proper engineering regarding the span between posts and anchor systems.”
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| Waterproofing decks protects living space below. Photograph: Turner Waterproofing Systems |
Keeping it casual
“Boathouse interiors should encourage one to slow down, take a deep breath and contemplate the universe,” explains Caroline Winwood, Winwood Decorating Advice.
“Depending on the size of your boathouse, you will want to arrange furniture to facilitate dining, conversation and quiet contemplation,” she continues.
“Keep it casual. Opt for minimal window coverings. Choose furnishings that are fuss-free that you won’t be afraid to put your feet up on. Add bright accents like plump cushions that have removable and washable covers.
“Flooring, too, should be resilient. Wood is the most popular,” adds Winwood. “Outside furniture has come a long way with synthetic materials that simulate the look and feel of natural fibres but weather the elements beautifully.”
“From a dining chair to loveseats and sofas the materials are weather-resistant fabrics,” states Tom Sullivan, Mulrooneys Fine Furniture.
“The biggest issue is the sun,” he warns. “The sun will fade anything over time. But when the materials are stable, it fades uniformly.”
“Currently popular are the woven collections, the ultraviolet stable vinyl weave – the double chaise, single chaise and large club chairs,” continues Sullivan. “There tends to be more need for the larger scale items,” he continues. “Large cottages need larger items to feel like everything is proportioned.
Modern Expectations
“A common request for boathouses,” states Grant Watkinson, Shorline Construction, “is to allow space for ‘my woody I will have someday.’” The length of the steel frame of one slip is overbuilt to match the length of the wooden boat of their dreams. Meanwhile the slip is framed with wood decking to make it shorter to suit the present boat.
“If later they get a longer boat, they will have the option of expanding the slip length by cutting out the decking and wood supports,” explains Watkinson.
Hydro, phone lines, TV, pressured hot and cold water, bathrooms, saunas and sewage disposal can all be part of this complex system of modern expectations.
However, without adequate water supply no additional buildings with bathrooms or other demands for water supply are possible. The well or lake supply must have sufficient capacity, pumps, supply lines must be sized correctly and provisions made to distribute the water throughout the property without freezing during the winter months.
“Insulation is required for the water lines and drains,” explains Terry Stephenson, Stephenson Plumbing and Electric.
A pumping system with heating cables stop sewage lines from freezing and a fully insulated mechanical room houses the hot water system. “Everything is possible, it is just a little more intense,” he adds.
“People are requesting washers and dryers in their boathouses in the lower levels for life jackets and towels etc.,” states Stephenson. “They ask for central vac, air conditioning and furnaces – all the conveniences of home.
“I’ve had requests for waterfalls down the sides of buildings. One had a 10-horse power pump in the lake that pushed hundreds of gallons of water per minute up the hill and over the side of a rock to give a river effect down the side of the boathouse,” he continues.
“Some request hot tubs and even swimming pools on top of their boathouse. Anything you could imagine can be done.”
Join us next issue as we address building a garage with accommodations – the unique aspects that entails and how it differs from other projects.
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