When it comes to connecting your shoreline, home, or dock, two popular options stand out—boardwalks and walkways. While both serve similar purposes, they’re not interchangeable. The design, materials, durability, and purpose all vary depending on the terrain and your goals. At Hansen Marine Construction, we build both solutions and help homeowners decide which one is the right fit for their waterfront property.

What’s the Difference?

Boardwalks are elevated structures typically built over wetlands, soft terrain, or areas prone to flooding. They’re supported by pilings or posts and provide a stable, raised pathway.

Walkways are ground-level paths made of pavers, concrete, gravel, or stone. They’re best suited for dry, firm terrain that doesn’t experience significant water fluctuations.

When to Choose a Boardwalk 🪵

✅ Ideal for:

• Marshy or soft ground

• Areas prone to flooding

• Crossing over environmentally sensitive zones

• Creating a scenic access route to the dock or beach

Benefits:

• Keeps foot traffic elevated and off fragile ground

• Improves accessibility in uneven or wet areas

• Enhances the visual appeal of your property

• Can be customized with railings, lighting, and seating

Boardwalks are especially popular in Central Florida properties that border lakes, canals, or preserve areas where land stability is limited.

When to Choose a Walkway 🧱

✅ Ideal for:

• Flat, stable ground with good drainage

• Garden paths, patio connections, or access to sheds

• Properties not directly on the waterline

Benefits:

• Easier and faster to install

• More cost-effective in dry zones

• Customizable with brick, stone, or stamped concrete

• Great for landscaping integration

Walkways are best when aesthetics and function meet in non-water-adjacent areas that don’t require elevation or support.

Important Considerations

Water proximity: The closer to the water, the more likely a boardwalk is needed to handle soft or shifting terrain.
Permitting: Boardwalks may require more extensive permitting due to environmental and structural regulations. We handle this for you.
Maintenance: Elevated boardwalks may need more regular inspections, while walkways are simpler to maintain but more prone to settling or shifting.
Budget: Walkways tend to be less expensive, while boardwalks involve more material and structural work but offer access in places walkways can’t.

We Build Both—And We Build Them Right

At Hansen Marine Construction, we design and build custom boardwalks and walkways to match your property’s terrain and your lifestyle needs. Whether you’re creating a functional path to your dock or a scenic walkway through your backyard, we deliver long-lasting, code-compliant results built for Florida weather and waterfront living.

Not sure which option fits your property? Contact Hansen Marine Construction today for a site evaluation, and let’s build the path that gets you where you want to go.