The 3 Decisions That Determine Whether You’ll Love Your Pier — or Keep Fixing It
Most pier decisions feel complicated.
In reality, just three determine how your shoreline performs for the next 20+ years.
It’s simpler than most people think
When homeowners start planning a pier, it often feels overwhelming.
Different materials.
Different layouts.
Different installation methods.
But after years of building shorelines across Wisconsin, we’ve seen something consistent:
The long-term outcome almost always comes down to three key decisions.
Get them right, and your pier becomes something you enjoy every season.
Get them wrong, and it becomes something you’re constantly adjusting, repairing, or rethinking.
Decision #1: Permanent or Seasonal
This is the foundation everything else builds on.
A seasonal pier is designed to come out every year.
A permanent pier is designed to stay in — through wind, waves, and winter.
The difference isn’t just structural — it’s how you use your shoreline:
No yearly removal or reinstall
No storage on your lawn
No re-leveling or adjustments each spring
A structure that feels like part of your property, not something temporary
For many homeowners, this is the decision that changes everything.
Decision #2: Materials That Last — or Materials That Don’t
The materials you choose affect everything you’ll deal with down the road.
Some materials require ongoing maintenance.
Others require none.
What matters most:
Wood Decking
- Annual sealing or staining
- Regular cleaning and power washing
- Board repairs and replacement
- Ongoing inspections and hardware tightening
HDPE Decking
- Resistance to rot and moisture
- Stability in the sun and temperature swings
- Long-term durability
- Environmental impact
HDPE decking, for example, doesn’t rot, doesn’t require sealing, and doesn’t break down over time — which means fewer repairs and a cleaner shoreline.
The goal isn’t just how it looks today.
It’s how it performs year after year.
Decision #3: Designed — or Figured Out Over Time
This is the one most homeowners don’t think about at first.
Some piers are installed.
Others are designed.
When a shoreline is designed as a complete system:
The layout flows naturally
Lifts, seating, and access points are planned
Space is used efficiently
Future needs are already accounted for
When it’s figured out over time:
Add-ons happen later
Layouts shift
Adjustments become ongoing
Both approaches can work — but only one tends to feel complete from the start.
What happens when you get these right
When these three decisions are made with the long-term in mind, everything else becomes easier:
Less maintenance
Fewer adjustments
A cleaner, more intentional shoreline
More time enjoying the lake — and less time managing it
And most important: A setup that still feels right not just this season, but years from now.
Built once. Enjoyed every season.
The best piers aren’t the ones that need constant attention.
They’re the ones built on the right decisions from the start.
