INGROUND POOL DECKING OPTIONS FOR NEW POOL RENOVATIONS
Tired of looking at the same old deck each season? Here’s your chance to improve your backyard landscape around your inground swimming pool!
With new pool decks for inground pools, pool owners can transform their pool space into the place to be for pool parties and relaxing summer days by the water.
Here are pool deck ideas to help you decide which pool decking materials and designs are your best options for your pool and backyard design needs.
POOL DECK SURFACE OPTIONS
Not sure where to start when choosing pool deck materials? Here’s a look at the pros, cons, and price points of the most popular inground pool decking options.
CONCRETE
Concrete is a durable, low-maintenance pool deck option. And you can personalize your deck with a variety of patterns and colours for stamped concrete, such as cobblestone. However, stamped concrete can be slippery when wet. And all concrete cracks at some point.
Concrete pool decks tend to be relatively low in price. And textured concrete typically costs 50% less than stamped concrete.
TRAVERTINE
Travertine is known for its attractive, high-end stone appearance. It also has a cool surface due to its lighter colours. And while travertine has a luxurious look similar to marble, it’s more reasonably priced.
PAVERS
Pavers are the least expensive option for pool decks. And they come in a variety of styles. For example, you can have pavers that look like bricks or pavers that look like cobblestone.
You can also easily replace single pavers that are damaged, and remove them if you need to make underground repairs.
But pavers will shift over time if you don’t make sure the base layer is compacted properly first. So be sure to use a compaction machine to compact the sand and gravel before laying your pavers.
BRICK
Bricks are attractive and durable, making for excellent pool borders. But bricks can get slippery when wet and hot for feet. And “antique” bricks are also not recommended for cold climates since they absorb water and will freeze and crack in winter.
Bricks are medium-cost decking options.
WOOD
Wood decks are beautiful, but they are not always the best option for inground pools. The constant exposure to moisture and pool chemicals causes wood pool decks to deteriorate.
If you want the look of wood without the worry, consider stamped concrete that has the appearance of natural wood. The cost of natural wood decking is in the medium to high price range.
TILE
For a non-slip tile surface, non-glazed tile is a good option. Tile made from thin stone or clay is low- to medium-priced and offers an authentic, old-world look to the backyard.
STONE
Stone provides pools with a natural appearance and comes in a variety of stone options. But due to the darker colours of stone, this decking material tends to get hot in the sun. And the labour-intensive installation of stone decking makes the cost of stone decks rather high.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
When shopping for pool deck materials, consider the following factors.
PRICE POINTS
Some pool deck materials are quite expensive compared to others, so you’re better off comparing prices before choosing a material. Although you want your pool deck to look great, you shouldn’t go over budget.
MAINTENANCE
Consider how much work and money you’re willing to put into maintaining your deck. If you plan to redesign your deck or move in the next five years, then you don’t need to invest in an expensive deck.
But if you plan to enjoy your new pool deck for many years to come, then it’s worth investing a bit more into it so it will last.
HEAT REFLECTIVITY
You don’t want a pool deck that will get too hot in the sun—otherwise, you’ll be burning your feet. So consider pool deck surface options that will reflect heat instead of retain heat.
COLOURS TO THINK ABOUT
The colour of a pool deck will also affect how much heat it retains. So opt for lighter colours to save your feet from pain this summer. For example, white-based cement pavers will be cooler on the feet compared to grey-based pavers.
SLIP RESISTANCE
A textured, slip-resistant deck will help prevent slips and falls around your pool. Stamped patterns add texture. But keep in mind that unsealed decks won’t be as slippery as polished concrete when wet.
However, there are pool deck coating options available that use skid-resistant additives.
DIRECT WATER AWAY FROM THE HOUSE
Keep proper drainage in mind when planning for your pool deck. You will want excess water to drain away from your house, not towards your house.
CHOOSE MATERIALS BASED ON YOUR CLIMATE
If you live in a cold climate that experiences freezing temperatures for part of the year, you will need to use materials that will protect your pool during the winter. Instead of using sand, a gravel foundation will prevent water in the soil from freezing, expanding, and upheaving the deck.
CHOOSE WOOD CAREFULLY
While wood offers a warm, relaxing look for a backyard pool, wood decks can be problematic since wood tends to warp and crack. To have a beautiful wood deck, you will need to spend more to make sure it lasts.
Or, you can opt for a low-maintenance alternative option that will still provide a natural look to your pool, such as artificial wood or travertine. Travertine offers a soft, high-end, natural-stone look but with a reasonable price point. And it comes in lighter colours to reflect heat.
LIGHTING AND IRRIGATION WIRE PREPPING
Make sure to run the conduits for outdoor lighting, speakers, and irrigation systems before you complete your deck so you’re not stuck with extra work afterward.
There are many pool deck ideas out there. But finding the right option for you will depend on several factors, such as budget and taste.
Research deck materials to find the best pool deck for you before you start your pool renovations. And start dreaming of your new updated pool and backyard space that you can enjoy for many summers to come.
