How to Make My Deck Look Like a Boat Dock
Boat docks and decks share similar purposes, and therefore, similar construction techniques. A wooden deck looks pretty much like a wooden boat dock in the way it's put together. This similarity makes it easy to decorate your deck so it looks like a boat dock. Find the right accents, accessories and trim, and in no time, your deck can be trimmed up ship-shape and Bristol fashion. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Nautical accessories
- White, Navy Blue and Red enamel paint
- Paint brushes in various sizes
- Drop cloths
- Paint thinner for cleanup
- Drill
- Paddle bit, 3/4 inches
- 5/8-inch nylon or manila rope, the length of the edge of the deck plus 20 percent.
- Heavy knife for cutting the rope.
Instructions
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Scout the types of boat docks you intend to emulate. Take pictures. Collect photos from magazines and books. Ask yourself what real boat docks look like. Take note of what sorts of things are lying about boat docks you like. Note the differences between seaside docks and lakeside docks so you don't confuse the two when you decorate. Make a list of the accessories you want to add to the deck to give it that nautical feel.
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Collect nautical items you want to use with your new boat deck. This may take a while as you scour antique shops and marinas for just the right accessories. Things like ship's bells, coils of heavy rope, deck cleats, ring buoys and heavy fishing nets make nice touches without cluttering the deck unnecessarily. A bell on a corner post, a Flemished coiled flat rope in a corner or a lifesaving ring buoy hanging from a wall really sells the theme you are creating.
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Paint the deck trim in nautical colors. Bold colors like navy blue, white and red are particularly common around docks. A natural wood deck may need no painting at all, but a concrete deck could benefit from a bold white surface with 3 to 6 inch wide navy blue trim to mark the edges. Concrete or wooden posts against a concrete deck sets off the edges of the deck and gives it the feel of a seaside dock. A touch of red on a ring buoy or to accent a wall or steps may be all the splash of primary color you need. You'll need to use concrete paint and follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. On wooden fixtures, use an outdoor enamel with a high gloss to give it a naval look.
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Add or modify a rail around the dock. Most wooden rails already look dock-like, so you may not need to add anything to them. If you don't have a border for your deck, you can add wooden posts around the edge of the deck. Position them 3 to 4 feet apart and 3 to 4 feet high depending on your particular deck.
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Drill 3/4-inch holes into the posts, centering them 2 inches from the top of the post and parallel to the edge of the deck. Tie a knot in one end of the rope. Start at one end of the row of posts, and thread the rope to the other end. Adjust the length of the rope so there is a gentle sag of 2 to 3 inches between each post, and tie a knot in the other end to secure the rope.
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Place your accessories carefully. Don't over-sell the theme with too much stuff. A fishing net screwed into place as a corner drape adds texture. Positioning a Flemished rope coil flat on the deck near a post or stanchion gives the deck a port-side look. Attach a small ship's bell to a handy corner post, and you not only add to the boat dock effect, but you can also use the bell to call the kids in for supper. A few brass cleats or other fixtures along the rails add to the effect.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Zubin Shroff/Digital Vision/Getty Images
