TIDESAFE™ Lumber

Untreated Wooden structural timbers play crucial roles in supporting the decking of a structure, such as a floor, bridge, or dock. They work together to create a strong and stable framework. They work by:

Supporting Weight

Untreated timbers bear the weight of the structure above them, distributing it evenly across the span of the decking. In the case of a dock, the decking may include the walking surface, any additional structures like benches or railings, and the weight of people, equipment, or boats that the dock needs to support.

Transferring Loads

When people or objects apply force to the decking, the substructure transfers those loads to the supporting pilings or posts. The weight is then further transferred to the ground or waterbed beneath the dock.

Horizontal and Lateral Stability (Joists & Stringers)

Joists and stringers run horizontally beneath the decking, ensuring that the decking maintains its level and doesn't sag or bow under the applied load. They provide the structural rigidity needed to keep the deck stable and safe for use.

Stringers, which are typically larger or more substantial than joists, resist lateral movement of the dock. They act as beams running perpendicular to the direction of the joists, preventing side-to-side swaying or shifting.

Spacing and Sizing

The spacing and sizing of structural timbers are carefully calculated based on factors such as the load requirements, the span of the decking, the species and grade of wood used, and the local building codes. The goal is to ensure the structure can support the intended weight without excessive deflection or stress.

Our Tropicals have extremely high strength characteristics. We love speaking with engineers to discuss the properties of our species. Many times engineers find that they can use much smaller dimension material while still maintaining or exceeding the required mechanical needs of the project.