Pier Pilings
- Wood and fiberglass options for varied pier applications
- Lengths available from 20 to 45 feet
- Selection support for material, class, and treatment level
Our Pier Pilings include CCA-treated Southern Yellow Pine wood and fiberglass or composite options for waterfront structures. Available wood pilings include Class A, Class B, and Class C options in lengths from 20-25 feet through 40-45 feet. Fiberglass and composite pilings are available in specifications based on diameter, wall thickness, and structural rating.
These products are used for recreational and fishing piers, public access piers, commercial waterfront structures, elevated walkways, viewing areas, access structures, boardwalks, marinas, and coastal or tidal pier projects.
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Pier pilings are used to support piers, elevated walkways, fishing platforms, viewing areas, access structures, and commercial waterfront structures. Unlike basic dock pilings, pier pilings are often selected for longer structures, public access areas, pedestrian traffic, railing loads, wave exposure, soil conditions, and structural requirements across multiple support points.
LED Lighting Supply offers wood pilings and fiberglass piling options for pier projects. CCA-treated Southern Yellow Pine wood pilings are commonly used where treated wood is specified and permitted for the structure, exposure, and required service life. Fiberglass or composite pilings may be considered for saltwater piers, public waterfront structures, coastal access projects, tidal areas, and repeated wet/dry exposure. Verify the exact product's structural properties, resin or material system, environmental documentation, and suitability for marine organisms, chemicals, corrosion, and other project-specific exposures.
Start with the pier type, site exposure, and structural design, then confirm the required material, length, piling class or size, preservative treatment specification, and installation method. Water depth, soil profile, bearing requirements, exposed height, required embedment, pier layout, and local code requirements can all affect the final specification.
Where Pier Pilings Are Used
Pier pilings are used where elevated structures need stable support across water, shoreline areas, wetlands, soft soil, or changing water conditions. These applications may require closer structural review than short dock sections because piers often carry pedestrian, service, railing, wind, wave, and lateral loads.
| Pier Application | Selection Considerations |
|---|---|
| Recreational Piers | Recreational piers may require pilings that support pedestrian use, railings, seating areas, lighting, deck framing, water exposure, and changing water levels. |
| Fishing Piers | Fishing piers may have higher public-use demands, railing loads, live loads, equipment loads, wave exposure, and long-term moisture exposure. |
| Public Access Piers | Public access structures should be reviewed for code requirements, pedestrian loads, accessibility needs, safety railings, lighting, maintenance access, and long-term service life. |
| Commercial Piers | Commercial piers may require stronger pilings due to heavier use, service vehicles, equipment, utility runs, vessel activity, impact loads, and stricter project specifications. |
| Observation Platforms and Waterfront Walkways | Elevated viewing areas and walkways may require pilings that account for pedestrian traffic, lateral loads, wind exposure, water movement, soil conditions, and deck elevation. |
| Coastal and Tidal Pier Structures | Coastal piers should account for saltwater, tidal movement, wave action, storm exposure, marine organisms, corrosion risk, and required embedment below the mudline. |
Wood Pier Pilings vs Fiberglass Pier Pilings
Wood and fiberglass pilings can both be used for pier construction when properly specified. The best material depends on the exposure, budget, structural design, installation method, expected service life, and maintenance requirements.
| Piling Material | Best Fit for Pier Projects |
|---|---|
| CCA-Treated Wood Pier Pilings | Commonly used for recreational piers, boardwalks, public access structures, freshwater piers, and coastal structures where treated Southern Yellow Pine is specified for the exposure and project design. Wood is often selected for availability, cost, structural familiarity, and contractor experience. Confirm the required preservative retention and use category for the actual exposure. |
| Fiberglass / Composite Pier Pilings | May be selected for saltwater piers, tidal areas, public waterfront structures, marinas, industrial waterfronts, and harsh exposure areas. Performance against rot, corrosion, marine organisms, chemicals, and repeated wet/dry exposure depends on the specific product materials, wall construction, and manufacturer documentation. |
Pier Piling Lengths and Pier Heights
Pier piling length must include the exposed height above water or grade, the water depth, and the required embedment below the mudline or soil surface. For piers, length may also be affected by deck elevation, railing height, wave clearance, soil bearing depth, lateral loads, tidal range, and storm exposure.
| Piling Length | Typical Pier Use |
|---|---|
| 20-25 ft Pier Pilings | May be used for shorter piers, shallow water, small waterfront walkways, light pedestrian structures, and low-exposure access areas where the design and embedment requirements allow. |
| 30-35 ft Pier Pilings | May be used for longer recreational piers, public access piers, deeper water, greater exposed height, or projects requiring more embedment than shorter pilings provide. |
| 40-45 ft Pier Pilings | May be used for larger piers, commercial waterfront structures, coastal piers, softer soils, higher deck elevations, stronger lateral requirements, or more demanding marine exposure. |
The correct length should be confirmed from the pier design and site conditions. Water depth, mudline depth, bearing layer, tidal range, wave action, soil type, deck height, storm exposure, and required embedment can all affect final piling length.
Pier Piling Classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C
For round wood pilings, Class A, Class B, and Class C are size classifications commonly based on minimum tip dimensions under the applicable piling specification. Class alone does not establish structural capacity. Pier selection should also consider species, grade, actual dimensions, preservative treatment, span layout, structural loads, lateral forces, exposure, pile length, soil conditions, and installation method.
| Piling Class | Typical Pier Use |
|---|---|
| Class A Pier Pilings | Typically the largest of these wood piling classes and may be specified for heavier-duty piers, commercial waterfront structures, public access piers, fishing piers, longer spans, or higher loading conditions when required by the design. |
| Class B Pier Pilings | May be specified for moderate structural requirements where the design calls for a larger piling than Class C but does not require Class A. Applications can include recreational piers, boardwalks, access piers, and light commercial projects when supported by the design. |
| Class C Pier Pilings | May be specified for lighter-duty pier structures, shorter spans, and small access structures when approved by the project design. Do not assume Class C is suitable where loads, exposure, soil conditions, or public-use requirements call for a larger or differently specified piling. |
For fiberglass or composite pier pilings, selection is typically based on diameter, wall thickness, structural rating, material specification, and project requirements rather than wood piling class terminology. Confirm the required size, rating, and installation requirements before ordering.
What to Confirm Before Ordering Pier Pilings
| Selection Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Pier Type | Recreational piers, fishing piers, public access piers, commercial piers, and waterfront walkways can require different piling specifications. |
| Piling Material | Wood, fiberglass, and composite pilings can perform differently under moisture, saltwater, impact, chemical exposure, public use, and long-term marine conditions. Verify the exact product documentation for the intended environment. |
| Piling Length | Total length must include exposed height, water depth, mudline depth, required embedment, deck elevation, and bearing requirements. |
| Piling Class or Size | Verify the specified wood piling class, actual dimensions, diameter, wall thickness, or structural rating based on the pier design and expected loads. |
| Wood Treatment Specification | Wood pier pilings should be treated to the preservative system and retention specified for the actual exposure, including soil, freshwater, brackish water, saltwater, high-salt exposure, or marine borer conditions. |
| Soil Conditions | Sand, clay, soft soils, fill, rock, and mixed soils can affect embedment depth, bearing capacity, pile spacing, and installation method. |
| Loads and Use | Pedestrian loads, railing loads, live loads, utility loads, service access, vessel activity, wind, wave action, and lateral loads can affect piling size and material choice. |
| Water and Weather Exposure | Freshwater, saltwater, brackish water, tidal movement, wave action, ice, storm surge, and wet/dry cycling can change the required piling material and treatment specification. |
| Installation Method | Driving, drilling, jetting, and site access should be reviewed before finalizing material, class, length, spacing, and quantity. |
| Code and Public-Use Requirements | Public piers may require additional review for accessibility, railings, live loads, permitting, environmental rules, local codes, and authority requirements. |
Common Pier Piling Mistakes
- Ordering before confirming the pile schedule: Use the project drawings or engineer’s pile schedule to verify each piling’s location, length, class or size, treatment specification, cutoff elevation, and quantity. A single pier can require more than one piling length or specification.
- Failing to account for driving tolerance and field cutoff: Actual refusal depth, soil variation, pile driving, and required cutoff elevations can affect the final installed length. Coordinate ordering and installation procedures with the contractor and project documents.
- Mixing treatment requirements: Do not assume one treated-wood specification fits every location on a pier. Exposure below grade, in freshwater, in brackish or saltwater, and in marine-borer areas can require different preservative retention or material specifications.
- Damaging the piling during handling or installation: Dropping, improper lifting, excessive driving force, or unsuitable equipment can damage wood or composite pilings. Follow the manufacturer’s handling guidance and the installation requirements for the selected product.
- Leaving field cuts or penetrations unaddressed: Field cuts, drilling, notches, and hardware penetrations can affect preservative protection and structural performance. Follow the treatment supplier, manufacturer, and project requirements for field treatment and connection details.
- Assuming pile class alone confirms capacity: Wood piling class is a size designation; structural suitability also depends on actual dimensions, species, grade, load path, unsupported length, soil support, and lateral loading.
- Using product selection as a substitute for engineering review: Pile capacity, embedment, spacing, foundation performance, and structural connections should be established by the project’s qualified design professional and accepted by the applicable authority where required.
Get Help Selecting Pier Pilings
The right pier piling should match the pier design, span layout, soil conditions, water exposure, required length, piling class or size, treatment specification, installation method, and public-use requirements. LED Lighting Supply can help review wood and fiberglass pier piling options, published product specifications, quantities, delivery needs, and project requirements before you order. Structural capacity, embedment, foundation design, and code approval should be confirmed by the project’s qualified design professional and applicable authority.
Pier Pilings FAQs
How Should I Choose Pier Piling Length?
Pier piling length should include the exposed height above water or grade, water depth, and required embedment below the mudline or soil surface. Deck elevation, railing height, wave clearance, soil bearing depth, lateral loads, tidal range, and storm exposure can also affect the final length.
What Factors Determine The Right Pier Piling Material?
The right pier piling material depends on exposure, budget, structural design, installation method, expected service life, and maintenance requirements. CCA-treated Southern Yellow Pine is commonly used where treated wood is approved for the structure, exposure, and required service life, while fiberglass or composite pilings may be considered where long-term durability, rot resistance, corrosion resistance, marine organism exposure, or repeated wet/dry exposure is a priority.
When Might Fiberglass Or Composite Pier Pilings Be Considered?
Fiberglass or composite pier pilings may be considered for saltwater piers, public waterfront structures, coastal access projects, tidal areas, and projects with wet/dry cycling or marine organism exposure. They are also often selected for harsh exposure areas where resistance to rot, corrosion, chemicals, and repeated wet/dry exposure is a priority.
How Do I Select A Wood Pier Piling Class?
Wood piling class should be selected based on span layout, structural loads, pedestrian or commercial use, lateral forces, exposure, pile length, soil conditions, and installation method. Class A is generally used for heavier-duty projects, Class B is used for moderate structural requirements, and Class C may be used for lighter-duty structures when approved for the design.
How Are Fiberglass Or Composite Pier Pilings Sized?
Fiberglass or composite pier pilings are typically selected by diameter, wall thickness, structural rating, material specification, and project requirements rather than wood piling class terminology. The required size, rating, and installation requirements should be confirmed before ordering.
What Should Be Confirmed Before Ordering Pier Pilings?
Before ordering, confirm the pier type, material, total piling length, piling class or size, treatment level, soil conditions, expected loads, water and weather exposure, installation method, and code or public-use requirements. These factors can affect the final piling specification, spacing, quantity, embedment, and material choice.
Why Should A Pier Not Be Treated Like A Small Dock?
Piers may have longer spans, public access, railing loads, wave exposure, and higher structural demands than basic dock sections. Pier piling selection should be based on the structure design and site conditions rather than length or material alone.
