San Francisco has water on three sides, and the towns we serve add more of it: marinas along the city's northern and eastern waterfront, the harbors and floating-home docks of Sausalito, and small private docks on the bay side of the Peninsula. Docks, gangways and waterfront walkways need hardware, railings, gates and fencing that ordinary fence parts cannot provide. We supply and install those parts for owners, harbor managers and associations.
Salt water decides everything. Standard zinc-plated hardware fails quickly here, and even ordinary galvanized fittings have a limited life in the splash zone. For dock gates, railings and security fencing we use aluminum, marine-grade stainless steel and hot-dip galvanized steel, and we keep unlike metals from touching, since that speeds up corrosion. Gangway gates with keypads or card readers need hardware rated for wet, salty locations.
Work at the water's edge is regulated more closely than work in a yard. A marina or harbor has its own rules, and construction along the bay shoreline can need approval from agencies beyond the city building department. We ask you to confirm what your harbor, association or permit requires before we order, and we build to it. Tell us whether the structure is fixed or floating, since floating docks move with the tide and the parts must allow for that.
Dock parts in San Francisco: common questions
What metal lasts longest on a dock in San Francisco Bay?
Marine-grade stainless steel and aluminum resist salt water best. Hot-dip galvanized steel is a sound lower-cost choice above the splash zone. Plain or zinc-plated steel does not last. Mixing metals without isolating them causes faster corrosion.
Can you put a locked gate on a gangway?
Yes. A framed aluminum or stainless gate with side wings keeps people from stepping around it, and it can take a key lock, keypad or card reader rated for marine use. The harbor or association usually sets the lock standard.
Do I need permission to add fencing or railings on a dock?
Very likely. Ask the marina or harbor operator first, and check whether shoreline or building permits apply to your location. We do not start waterfront work until you have confirmed the approvals in writing.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We visit, measure and talk through options.
- Written quote: Clear pricing with material choices side by side.
- Permits & planning: We check local rules and help with permits before we dig.
- Install & clean-up: Our crew installs, cleans up and walks the finished fence with you.