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Whether you’re refloating a cabin dock, expanding a marina, or keeping a pump and discharge line on the water, good flotation starts with the numbers: load, water conditions and how long the system has to stay in place.
BARR Plastics supplies foam-filled and air-filled dock floats, wave attenuators, modular floating work platforms, floating pump stations and industrial pipe floats, with specification support from a team that has worked in liquid handling since 1968.
Start with where the float will work. A private dock, a busy marina and an industrial pumping setup each call for different float types and accessories.
Build or refloat a private dock, swim platform or small boat slip. Air-filled floats keep DIY builds light and affordable; foam-filled floats add puncture-resistant, maintenance-free flotation for docks that stay in year-round.
High-traffic docks need flotation that holds up. Foam-filled floats keep working even if the shell is punctured, and safety cabinets keep rescue equipment protected and within reach.
Boat wakes and wind-driven chop keep a dock rocking and wear it down. Wave attenuators reduce that motion, fit new or existing docks, and suit fuel docks, where they install without the crane and truck time a concrete system needs.
Modular platforms and walkways give crews stable access over water. Floating pump stations hold pumps at the intake, and pipe floats keep intake and discharge lines on the surface.
Most dock projects come down to one of these float types. Here’s how they compare.
| Float type | Main advantage | Trade-off | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foam-filled | Keeps floating even if the shell is punctured; nothing to inflate or maintain | Higher upfront cost than air-filled | Marinas, commercial docks, permanent residential docks |
| Air-filled | Lightweight, cost-effective and easy to install | Relies on an intact shell to hold air | Private docks, swim platforms, small boat docks |
| Boat-lift floats | Supports boats and personal watercraft above the waterline | Sized to a specific craft and lift | Boat storage, personal watercraft lifts |
| Wave attenuators | Reduces wave impact on the dock behind it | Adds to the overall layout and anchoring plan | Rough water, exposed shorelines, busy marinas |
Float count and size come from the total load your dock needs to carry. Three steps get you to a working estimate.
Frame, decking, hardware, and anything that stays on the dock permanently.
People, gear, equipment, and seasonal loads such as snow you expect the dock to carry.
Each dock float listing shows dimensions, rated buoyancy in pounds and a downloadable drawing. Leave margin so the deck sits at a comfortable height above the water.
Not sure about your numbers? Send us your layout and we’ll help check float type, size and spacing.
Modular platforms, railed walkways and pump stations made from industrial-grade LLDPE. Sections connect to the footprint you need, then disassemble and stack for shipping, which helps keep freight costs down on cross-border orders.
Floating modular platform, floating modular walkway and floating pump station.
Moving water is part of liquid management. Industrial pipe floats and float balls keep intake, dredge and discharge lines at the surface, with net and sinker weights available for commercial lines.
Tariffs and cross-border freight change. A quote confirms pricing, freight and lead time to your location first.
Contractors get individualized pricing. Request a quote or contact your BARR representative.
Share drawings, loads or site conditions, and we’ll recommend float type, size and layout.
When standard sizes don’t fit the job, ask about custom-built floats.
Foam-filled floats suit permanent and commercial docks because they keep floating even if the shell is damaged. Air-filled floats are lighter and more affordable, which makes them a good fit for private docks, swim platforms and DIY builds.
Add the weight of the dock structure to the load you expect it to carry, then choose floats whose combined rated buoyancy covers that total with margin. Each listing shows rated buoyancy and a drawing, and our team can check your layout.
Yes. The floating pump station is designed for that job. Share your pump’s weight and footprint along with your water conditions, and we’ll confirm the right setup.
Yes. Contractors and partners receive individualized pricing. Request a quote through the website or contact your representative.
Send your layout, loads and location. We’ll help you spec the right flotation and confirm pricing and freight.
