There are a lot of things that you need to consider when picking the right decking material for your pool. It requires careful consideration to make sure that it not only looks good but is also safe for the swimmers. We've done some research for you to help you decide on the materials you might want to consider when building your pool deck.
There are several materials to be considered in choosing the best decking materials for your pool. Considering your budget and time frame, we enumerated below the best materials you can use for your project.
- Poured concrete
- Brick
- Stone Tile
- Surface Coating
- Wood Decks
- Brushed or Broom-Finished Concrete
- Rock Salt Finished Concrete
You might be deciding which of these materials to choose from, so we explained it in detail down below to help you choose what's best for your pool deck and your budget.
Poured concrete
Poured concrete is a budget-friendly choice. Aside from it being cheap, it is also durable. The advantage of using poured concrete is you can shape it in any way you want like curves and geometric patterns. The budget for this material is surprisingly low. You can purchase it at $5 to $6 per foot and it's professionally installed and ready, while do-it-yourself installation costs about $2 to $3 per square foot.
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Brick
Picking brick is also a budget-friendly and do-it-yourself option. The pros of choosing brick are there are varieties of colors to choose from and their durability. A bit more expensive than concrete, it ranges from $0.50 to $5 while professionally installed is $2 to $5 per square foot. There's also a bit of a con in choosing brick. During hot days, bricks tend to absorb heat, so if you're planning to go for a swim, wear a slip-on. Bricks will take time to install, for they are small and need to be placed individually. But overall, brick is a good choice if you're on a budget.
Stone tile
Stone tile has a natural finish and has a variety of materials to choose from. There are 8 types of natural finished material to choose from when considering using stone tiles. We'll take a deeper look into them below.
1. Flagstone
Flagstones are made up of sedimentary rocks. The layers of flagstones split along its bedding planes. The pros in choosing flagstones as your pool deck are, that they are low maintenance and don't need to be cleaned frequently. Flagstones have rich-toned earthy colors and textures. If you're going for an earthy-toned color for your decking the best choice would be flagstone.
2. Travertine
Travertine is a form of terrestrial limestone. Miners can mine travertine in the quarries in Turkey, Italy, Iran, and Mexico. It is famous as a material since it gives it a luxurious finish. Typically, travertine has an absorption element and can instantly absorb water on the deck making it slip-free, it can also handle different types of weather conditions including deep freeze.
3. Bluestone
Bluestone has a natural bluish-grey color. It's made up of a mixture of sand compound and quartz particles. Bluestone is a wonderful choice for outdoor paving due to it being non-slip and water-resistant. Bluestone looks perfect surrounded by natural beauty.
4. Slate
Slate has been a choice for many builders due to its durability. Its colors range from red, brown, and black. Slate comes in a variety of cuts depending on your preference and will look wonderful in natural-looking settings.
5. Sandstone
Sandstone usually comes in shades of light brown or red. Also a durable material, it's been a staple choice for pool builders due to it being easily obtainable and without a wide range of colors to worry about.
6. Limestone
Limestone is one of the most popular building materials due to its durability and beauty. This material can retain its looks and will not wear even through the most extreme weather changes and constant use.
7. Granite
Granite is the go-to choice for builders that are looking for durable but luxurious-looking material. A wonderful choice due to its shiny and elegant look.
8. Coral Stone
Coral stone is made up of coral, shell fossils, sand, and limestone. This material is ideal for pool decking due to its non-slip quality and minimal heat absorption. It is also easy to maintain and can survive extreme weather changes and heavy use.
Surface coating
Surface coating products are great for treating existing slippery pool decks. It is composed of a mixture of epoxy and solvent polymer and resin. The properties of the surface coating are waterproof it provides non-slip water resistance. An ideal choice of material for those who are on a budget, for a DIY-friendly choice prices are ranging from $1.50 to $2 per unit while professional installation is ranging from $2 to $4 per square foot.
Wood decks
Wood decks are ideal for those who want a beautiful aesthetic finish for their pool decks. Although not all types are suitable for pool decking, there are several types of wooden materials to choose from that will match your house's outline we will enumerate them below.
1. Redwood
Redwood is the optimal choice in using wood as a decking material for your pool. It was super popular during the 80s and 90s due to its reddish tan tone it was the standard pool decking before. This type of wood is sturdy and resistant to moisture and weathering making it one of the best choices for building your wooden pool deck.
2. Cedar
Though considered a softwood, Cedar also has a natural resistance to rot and decay making it a viable option as a decking material. With the right maintenance and the help of a waterproofing sealer, you can ensure a longer lifespan even with constant exposure to water.
3. Teak
Teak is an eco-friendly choice for your wooden pool decking needs since it grows faster than other wooden decking materials. Not only is this type of wood durable and can handle drastic weather changes, but it is also easy to clean making maintenance a breeze.
4. Ipe
Ipe is a strong hardwood that you can use as your pool decking material. Not only does this wood look beautiful in natural settings, but you can also rest assured that if properly maintained, it can last for a long time. Ipe is also slip-resistant making it a wonderful choice as a pool decking material.
Brushed or Broom Finished Concrete
One of the cheapest ways to build your pool deck is by using brushed or broom-finished concrete. Brushed concrete is a great option when you are working on a specific budget and, it requires little maintenance. Another reason why you might want to choose this method is that it is virtually slip-free which is important when considering your pool decking material.
Rock Salt Finished Concrete
Using rock salt finished concrete is a great way to add skid resistance to concrete. Aesthetically pleasing, it's also considered a step above the brushed or broom-finished concrete when it comes to being slip-free. This is also another budget-friendly choice especially if you do not want to settle for a plain brushed concrete look.
How to Maintain Your Pool Deck
After you finish building your pool deck, you might be wondering how you would be able to keep it clean. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help ensure that the lifespan of the materials you used will be maximized and it also keeps it looking good. Regardless of what materials you chose from the list above, we will talk about the basic things you need to know on how to keep your pool deck clean. Read on below.
Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is the fastest and most effective way to clean your pool deck. Although, it is important to note that this method is only recommended for non-wooden pool decks as the pressure might cause splintering and damage to the wood. Of course, this method is still the best when cleaning concrete, stone, or brick pool decks. Pressure washing is an effective method to clean off any dirt or grime that has been built up.
Using a Bleach and Soap Solution
Although not as quick and easy as pressure washing, this method is still very effective in cleaning your pool deck and is safe even for wooden decks. In a bucket of water, combine a cup of bleach with a little dish soap. Make sure to wear gloves for safety. Spread the solution on your pool deck and use a brush to remove any built-up grime or dirt by scrubbing. After you've finished scrubbing, you can use a garden hose to rinse out the solution. It is important to note that the best type of bleach to use with wooden decks would be oxygen bleach. This type of bleach kills fungi and bacteria without compromising the wood.
To Wrap It Up
We know that selecting the right material for your pool decking is not easy. There are a lot of things that you need to take into account when choosing the perfect decking material like safety, budget, durability, and aesthetics. Regardless of the material that you choose for building your pool deck, maintenance is also important to make sure that its beauty and lifespan are maximized. We are glad to have been able to make it easier for you to pick the best material for your pool deck.
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