Last Updated on January 1, 2023
During the warmer months of the year, there’s nothing like cooling down under the refreshing waters of your swimming pool. Placed right in the comforts of your own home, this pool can be a witness to the endless fun you’ll have under the sun.
However, a swimming pool won’t be complete without a pool deck, especially in an in-ground pool. After all, you don’t want mud and dirt to see into the pool and make it murky and unusable. Not to mention, a pool deck makes your pool area not only safe and functional but truly beautiful as well.
Pool decks come in different materials and designs. If you are on the market for one, there are various factors you have to consider in choosing the right one for you. Get to know what your options are by reading this article.
Get to Know Pool Decks and How These Work
When you look at swimming pools, you’ll see a hardscaped area around them. This is what’s called a pool deck. The main purpose of a pool deck is to separate the pool from its surrounding area, making a distinction between the two areas.
Apart from separating the pool from the surrounding area, the pool deck also works by providing coverage on the area, preventing dirt and mud from going into the water. At the same time, a pool deck gives a seamless transition from the pool to the surroundings. This is also where pool furniture is usually placed such as chairs, umbrellas, tables, and the like.
What to Consider When Choosing Pool Deck Materials
People usually choose a type of pool decking material based on how it looks. While aesthetics is key these days, this doesn’t have to be the only aspect in your book that you have to consider. Below are some other aspects you need to take note of.
Safety of the Materials
One of the most important aspects you need to look into is the safety of the decking material. This means that your material shouldn’t be slippery even when it gets wet. Speaking of safety, your skin shouldn’t be reactive to the material, meaning it should not blister nor cause a rash.
In addition to this, picking a material that’s heat reflective might be a good idea. This way, you can help cool the surface during hotter days, perfect for when you’re going barefoot or when you’re planning to sit on the deck from time to time.
The texture of the Decking Material
The reality is you’ll be stepping and walking on this pool deck. Given this, you want the texture of the deck material to be smooth so that it won’t hurt your feet or even your bum when you’re sitting on it. Examine the material to ensure it’s free from coarseness, uneven texture, bumps, and the like.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
Maintaining a pool is challenging enough so you want to have a pool deck that’s easy to clean and maintain over time. As such, choosing a material that can withstand not only rain and acid, mold, algae, mildew, and other chemicals is something you should consider.
If these are resistant to the aforementioned elements, the pool deck will be something that’s simpler to maintain.
Cost of the Deck
It cannot be denied that one of the most important aspects that you should bear in mind when choosing a pool deck material is its cost. The material you are choosing should be well within your budget as well.
Types of Pool Deck Options to Choose From
Concrete Decks
One of the most traditional pool deck materials out there is concrete and for good reason. Apart from being virtually available wherever you may be, this is also one of the more affordable materials out there.
Concrete also comes in a wide range of finishes and materials, allowing you to achieve a beautiful landscape that matches not only your desired look but also help ensures your pool’s safety.
Besides this, concrete is also great for temperature regulation and is easy to clean and maintain. The downside is that it can be quite slippery when wet if left untreated.
Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete is simply concrete that has been imprinted with stamps to get the same patterns. This uniformity is one of the reasons why stamped concrete is popular, especially when it can create different looks and finishes, mimicking the look and even feel of actual stone.
These can be finished in a number of ways as well, including borders, exposed aggregates, broom finishes, and even a sealant, all of which help prevent it from becoming slippery when wet.
Colored Concrete
If you want concrete that’s in another color apart from gray, going the colored concrete route may be right up your alley. This particular approach allows you to achieve lighter and more beautiful colors, elevating the whole look of your pool area.
Colored concrete is helpful in making pool decks deflect UV rays, making the water temperature much more regulated.
Stenciled Concrete
Similar to stamping, stenciled concrete helps you achieve similar designs using brick or stone patterns rather than using stamps. By laying these on concrete, the stencils help create a more seamless appearance and give more texture as well.
Brick Deck
Another commonly used pool deck material is brick. The craze surrounding this particular material is that it can withstand different weather changes thanks to its durability. Not to mention, it comes in a variety of colors and it can easily be cleaned and maintained.
The only caveat when it comes to choosing brick for your pool decking is that moss and algae can grow on this over time. This can make your deck slippery and harmful to walk onto if not maintained.
Tile Deck
A tiled pool deck is usually preferred by many people primarily because this creates a clean-looking appearance while still providing a creative take and a relatively symmetrical appearance. There are also numerous options and designs to choose from in the market. Plus, these are also on the more affordable side.
If you’re using tiles for your pool deck, it’s best to remember to steer clear of glazed tiles as these are smooth and slippery. These can also break over time, but even when this happens, it’s quite easy to replace since a cracked tile doesn’t necessarily affect others around it.
Some of the nicer options you may want to play with include unglazed terracotta, porcelain tiles, and the like since these can better withstand freezing temperatures, including frosts.
Wood Decks
Wood decks are also quite in-demand and it’s easy to see why. Its aesthetics alone are enough to attract customers as it perfectly complements the relaxation and peace that the swimming pool brings. Moreover, it seems to impart a Zen and earthy vibe with its hues.
Speaking of hues, wood deck options are easy to come by with an extensive variety of wood choices to pick from. These wood varieties even have natural designs and patterns that add to their uniqueness.
Remember that there are some wood types that are hardier than the rest, making these better suited for being used outdoors for your pool deck. Some of these include cedar, teak, redwood, pine, and mahogany. Teak and mahogany are even highly resistant and durable against pests and the weather.
Since some wood types are porous, they need to be maintained seasonally. From cleaning to sealing, these need to be in their prime condition at all times.
Composite or Synthetic Decking
There can be many issues when it comes to using wooden decks for your pool, no matter how gorgeous it can look. Composite or synthetic decking allows you to get the best of both worlds without having to worry about the wooden panels and design.
Synthetic creations are designed to weather even the harshest weather conditions. Besides this, these are also less affected by the heat and radiation of the sun and even chemical solutions for when you’re cleaning. The best part is that although they are quite on the expensive side, these can simulate the look and feel of real wood grains, making them complement your space.
Artificial Turf
If you live in a place where grass doesn’t normally grow and thrive, it’s easy to assume that you dream of having green grass all year round. With artificial turf, you can make this happen and even have this on your pool deck.
This makes your pool and its surroundings look lusher. Maintenance is a breeze as well since you don’t have to mow or even cut the grass. This can get hot to the touch under the sun, so be wary of this when opting for this material.
The Bottom Line
Now that you know more about the different pool deck materials, the only thing you’ll need to do is choose the right one for your needs. With a variety of materials to choose from, you can meet all of your needs and requirements without having to sacrifice the aesthetics of the place.
