Best Wood for Dock Pilings: Pressure-Treated vs Composite

When building a dock, your pilings are quite literally the foundation of the entire structure. Choose the wrong type of wood, and you’re looking at rot, marine borer damage, costly repairs—and maybe even full reconstruction. So, what’s the best wood for dock pilings? Should you go with pressure-treated, untreated (please don’t), or composite options like EcoPile?

Let’s break it down, plank by plank.

 

Why Dock Piling Material Matters

Imagine this: You invest in a beautiful waterfront dock. A few seasons later, it’s leaning like the Tower of Pisa. What happened? Odds are, your dock pilings weren’t built to withstand the harsh marine environment.

Marine and shoreline structures live in extreme conditions:

  • Constant water exposure (salt or fresh)

  • Shifting tides and currents

  • Marine borers like shipworms and gribbles

  • UV damage and weather extremes

The wood you choose for your dock pilings isn’t just important—it’s critical.

 

The 3 Main Dock Piling Material Options

1. Pressure-Treated Wood: The Industry Standard

Best for: Most marine and shoreline construction projects

Pressure-treated wood is far and away the most commonly used material for dock pilings—and for good reason.

What is it? Pressure-treated wood is infused with preservatives (like CCA, ACQ, or MCQ) under high pressure to resist:

  • Fungal decay

  • Termites and insects

  • Marine borers (when treated to marine-grade standards)

Why it’s preferred:

  • Cost-effective

  • Readily available in long lengths (up to 50+ ft)

  • Proven durability (especially when marine-grade CCA-treated)

  • Can last 40+ years in saltwater when properly treated

Use Case: A commercial marina in Galveston, TX replaced creosote pilings with CCA-treated Southern Yellow Pine. The result? Zero marine borer issues 10 years later, with maintenance costs down 30%.

Pro Tip: For saltwater projects, always specify 2.5 pcf CCA-treated wood to meet AWPA UC5 standards for marine use.

 

2. Untreated Wood: A Bad Idea (But People Still Ask)

Best for: Honestly? Decorative use only.

Let’s address the elephant in the (boat)room. Untreated wood has no place in dock pilings. We’re including it here only because it comes up in conversation.

Why it fails:

  • No protection against rot or marine organisms

  • Can begin deteriorating within months in saltwater

  • Total structural failure risk in under 5 years

We don’t recommend it. In fact, we wouldn’t knowingly sell untreated wood for piling use. It’s simply not safe or economical.

Use Case (or cautionary tale): A DIYer in Florida built a small dock using untreated pine posts. Two years later, the entire structure had collapsed due to wood boring organisms. Lesson learned the expensive way.

 

3. Composite Pilings: EcoPile and Other Non-Wood Options

Best for: Long-term, maintenance-free performance in extreme environments

Enter EcoPile —a composite piling made from recycled plastic. It doesn’t rot. It isn’t affected by marine borers. It doesn’t splinter, crack, or corrode.

Why choose EcoPile:

  • Made from 100% recycled plastic

  • Zero chemical leaching

  • No maintenance required (paint/stain/seal)

  • 50+ year lifespan in marine environments

  • Can be cut, drilled, and installed like traditional wood

Use Case: A waterfront resort in South Carolina installed EcoPile to reduce long-term maintenance costs and align with sustainability goals. 5 years later, the piles look brand new and haven’t needed a single repair.

Downsides?

  • Higher initial cost compared to treated wood

  • May not match the natural look of timber (can be mitigated with composite cladding)

Pro Tip: If your client is eco-conscious or managing a long-term asset (like a public dock or resort), EcoPile pays off big over time.

 

Comparing the Options: Pros & Cons Table

Material Type

Lifespan (Saltwater)

Marine Borer Resistance

Maintenance

Environmental Impact

Cost

Pressure-Treated Wood

30-40+ years

High (if marine-grade)

Moderate

Some chemical use

$$

Untreated Wood

1-5 years (if that)

None

Constant

Natural, but short-lived

$

EcoPile (Composite)

50+ years

100% Resistant

None

Recycled plastic, non-leaching

$$$

 

So, What’s the Best Wood for Dock Pilings?

TL;DR:

  • Pressure-treated marine-grade wood is the best all-around choice for most marine and shoreline contractors.

  • EcoPile is the smart choice for long-term durability, no-maintenance projects, or eco-conscious builds.

  • Untreated wood? Hard pass. Always.

Your dock deserves to stand the test of time—waves, salt, shipworms, and all.

 

Quality Materials Make or Break Your Project

Whether you’re a contractor, developer, or waterfront homeowner, choosing the right piling material is not the place to cut corners.

Need help deciding which option fits your project? We’re happy to consult.

👉 Call 1 (800) 716-0636 or visit americanpoleandtimber.com

We deliver treated wood, composite pilings, and custom timber solutions nationwide.

 

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