Pool Deck Materials: The Pros and Cons
So you’re about to begin a major renovation to your backyard by installing your very own swimming pool. But you can’t just build a swimming pool into or on top of the grass without creating the right setting for it, in terms of both aesthetic and functionality. Whether it’s an inground pool or a raised above-ground option, you’ll need the perfect pool deck to complete the project’s look and feel.
What is a Pool Deck?
Simply put, a pool deck is the space around your pool. Creating the perfect environment to nestle your pool in will increase the aesthetic and functional appeal of the pool space, while also contributing to increasing the value of your home and yard overall. Whether a raised platform or a surface is installed into your garden floor, a good pool with a deck will make your new swimming area far more inviting and attractive.
The Types of Pool Decking
There are a number of things that can be used as a pool decking material, each with its own benefits and drawbacks when it comes to how they look, how they function, and how much they cost for materials and labor. Some of the options include but are not limited to:
●Wood
●Concrete
●Various Forms of Stone
●Pavers
●Brick
●Tile
Before you choose the material that you’ll craft your private paradise from, you need to understand the pros and cons of each.
Wood Pool Deck: Pros and Cons
Wooden pool decks are some of the most popular options, with wood a great material choice for both inground and above-ground pools. As a very workable, versatile material, wood is a highly viable choice for more elaborate platforms and structures, which is suitable for larger above-ground pools.
Quick Pros:
●Wood is a highly aesthetic material that offers a more natural vibe than other choices.
●Wood is well-insulated, staying comfortably warm within hotter environments.
●It’s generally considered a fairly comfortable material for people to walk over.
●The cheapest woods are very inexpensive and very easy to work with.
Quick Cons:
●Wood requires seasonal and consistent maintenance against mold and degradation, especially being so nearby to a body of water.
●Unless treated with the right fine aggregate, it can be very slippery and potentially dangerous when wet.
●Hardwoods and other specific woods can be very very expensive, largely due to local availability.
Concrete Pool Deck: Pros and Cons
Concrete is another popular choice for pool decks, largely in part due to its durability and long-lasting nature. This material is also a highly customizable and workable material, which can be stamped and altered to look like brick, tile, stone, or pavers, meaning the crafting of cool concrete pool decks is fairly commonplace.
Quick Pros:
●Concrete is highly customizable in design with various overlays and patterns available.
●There’s not much need for regular maintenance and it’s considered very easy to clean.
●Concrete is one of the cheaper materials on this list.
●Repairs and restoration are relatively straightforward with concrete.
Quick Cons:
●Concrete will inevitably crack due to natural causes, meaning repairs will eventually be needed at some point.
●Can become highly slippery and hazardous when wet, unless textured or stamped, which costs more than a typical installation.
●When a repair or patch-up is needed, it can be hard to source the exact color of the concrete to match the original installation.
Stone Pool Deck: Pros and Cons
Stone is a widely popular material choice for pool decks, with there being various options available, whether you prefer a sandstone, limestone, or granite pool deck. While there is some debate over which is the best stone for pool deck construction, each form generally shares similar pros and cons.
Quick Pros:
●Stone, much like wood, has an aesthetically pleasing natural look and feel to it.
●It’s a naturally durable and long-lasting option that won’t break easily.
●Stone surfaces often have a natural texture to them, making them highly slip-resistant.
●It insulates heat well in warmer and sunnier environments.
Quick Cons:
●Not all stones are readily available in every setting, meaning you could be paying a high premium on delivery, while it’s already a fairly expensive option.
●Stone will require regular maintenance against moss and mold due to its proximity to water.
●The installation of a stone pool deck is a long process, which adds to the already inflated cost of the material.
Paver Pool Deck: Pros and Cons
Pavers are like concrete slabs arranged like tiles, essentially considered the inspiration for stamped and patterned concrete. They can be arranged to your liking and are available in a wide variety of colors, which is why they’re equally popular for patios and walkways along with pool decks.
Quick Pros:
●When pavers are installed well, there’s little chance of cracking and breakage.
●Pavers are generally considered a fairly affordable material.
●The way they’re arranged can let water pass through seamlessly.
●They have a naturally grippy texture.
Quick Cons:
●Pavers may shift and move over time, meaning your design may need maintenance eventually.
●Weeds and plants can grow between pavers, especially if they’re not built on a base of polymeric sand.
●There are limited designs and patterns that can be completed when compared to stamped concrete.
Brick Pool Deck: Pros and Cons
Bricks are a highly popular choice when it comes to crafting pool decks, noted for their classic aesthetic quality that fits in with a variety of homes in different architectural styles. While bricks are generally known for their reddish, terracotta hues, they can be sourced in a wide variety of colors.
Quick Pros:
●Bricks are a long-lasting and highly durable material that won’t break easily.
●The look of brick has a timeless appeal that’s flexible between different home styles.
●You can easily clean and maintain bricks compared to some other options.
●Bricks are totally recyclable, making them a more environmentally-friendly choice.
Quick Cons:
●Bricks, while easy to maintain, often become populated with moss and plant life, meaning regular maintenance is essential.
●The surface of brick can be very slippery when wet, leading to potential accidents and injuries.
●Bricks have a tendency to sink and become uneven, while at the same time matching the perfect shade in a replacement can be quite difficult.
Tile Pool Deck: Pros and Cons
Tiles could be considered the cousin of the paver, in the sense that tiles are laid out in patterns and orders based on architectural preference. The material used to make tiles can differ between manufacturers, with some being made from ceramic, while others might be crafted from porcelain, travertine stone, or other materials.
Quick Pros:
●Tiles are extremely versatile when it comes to patterns and layouts.
●You can source tiles in a wide variety of colors, styles, and shapes.
●Aesthetically, tiles can create a very classy high-end look and feel.
●With rougher tiles, you can prevent the possibility of slipping accidents.
Quicks Cons:
●Tile installation is generally fairly expensive, due to the cost of the materials themselves as well as the long and meticulous installation process.
●Due to the grouting between tiles, a tile pool deck will need regular maintenance against stains, mold, and general discoloration.
●Tiles can break fairly easily, and once this happens finding the exact shade and style of the original tile can be quite difficult.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right pool deck for your new backyard oasis is an important step in the renovation process, and to make the best decision you need to consider your ideal aesthetic, budget, and whether your pool will be raised or built inground. When reviewing the different pool deck surface types, think about the look and feel of your yard and home overall; this should provide you with a good base when beginning to search for the perfect material for your swimming hole.
While a great pool deck will add a lovely dimension to your settings, another thing to think about is the space surrounding that. Do you have a general garden patio or deck that will lead to it? Will your patio or deck feature upstanding posts? If the answer to these questions is yes, consider coming to Atlanta Post Caps to add an extra dimension of class to your setting. Our range of post caps is designed to bring an affordable but effective visual addition to your outdoor spaces.
Making strong aesthetic choices is not only great for your home experience but will also increase the value of your home overall. To check out our range of post caps, click here.