What Is The Best Material For Pool Deck?

Nothing beats the feeling of a well-kept backyard pool or the thought of installing one. While water is the primary focus, it is the decking that makes up for the entire experience. It retains the potential to transform your property like no other elements.

You may have heard all sorts of decking options – concrete, tile, wood, stone, brick, and more. But which is the best material for your particular needs? To answer this question, it first makes sense to look at the significant characteristics the best material must possess..

Factors To Consider Before Investing In The Best Pool Deck Material

In comparison to a regular patio, pool decking has unique requirements. So before finalizing material for your swimming pool deck, pay attention to the following factors that will help support your choice:

• Slip-resistance

Before anything else, good traction on the pool deck surface must be your priority as it increases poolside safety. Where tiles can quickly get slippery, concrete provides more protection in this aspect.

• Heat-resistance

Darker tiles or bricks rapidly heat up as temperature rises. It gets extremely hot and uncomfortable to touch the surface. So it would be best if you instead prefer something easy on bare feet and upon touching, such as lighter tiles or pavers.

• Water-resistance

Pool decks must continually resist exposure to water, moisture, and harsh pool chemicals for longer life.

• Low-cost

Pavers and bricks look aesthetically pleasing. But these are a bit more costly. Poured concrete or spray-on coatings are relatively cheaper for property owners on a small budget.

• Ease of installation

Besides everything else, if a material requires labor-intensive installation, it doubles your costs and discomfort.

• Non-abrasive

Choosing a non-slip material is excellent but makes sure it is not difficult or painful to touch or walk on. A decking material that has maximum grip but least possible abrasion works well around swimming pools.

• Low-maintenance

This factor is equally important compared to others on this list. A decking material that needs less upkeep, and only occasional cleaning or resealing, is something you must prefer. A low-maintenance material saves you a lot of time, money, and efforts in the coming years.

• Varied design options

It is not just about the budget and resistance but also the design of the material that catches your attention. A material that matches your style, surrounding aesthetics, can take the form of different shapes or sizes, and offer decorative treatments is the choicest one.

All in all, the material you choose for your pool deck must be a combination of beauty with durability and strength. Coming to the final section…

Ideal Materials For Pool Deck

Regardless of individual preferences, the qualities mentioned above are a must-have in any material you choose. And now, coming to the primary question – what is the best material for a pool deck, let us take a look at the most common options and how well they fit in different situations:

• Concrete

Concrete allows you to walk barefoot without the dangers of slipping. It can be poured in any shape, size, and pattern. Plus, the installation and maintenance costs are doable. There are tons of options when it comes to concrete for your pool deck. There is stamped, colored, stenciled, rock salt finish, broom finish, and exposed aggregate concreting that produces a well-suited pool deck. But concrete is not a DIY option, and one needs to be quick while working with it. One error, and you might end up redoing the entire area.

Cost: Low

• Wood

This is not a practical, long-term option for in-ground pools as wood cannot withstand water and chemical exposure. But wooden decks certainly have a classic yet modern appeal for which most people prefer it. Wood makes a smooth underfoot, and cedar, ipe, redwood, and teak are more suitable to repel water damage. Composite (or plastic-like synthetic) wood is another excellent choice if you do not want to deal with maintenance efforts but desire a fade-proof and water-proof solution. Wood overall is a great way to spice up the existing patio.

Cost: Medium

• Tile

Tile is a clean, elegant, and popular option, for it offers maximum longevity and a finished appearance. Unglazed tiles are suitable to create a safe, resistant, and classy space. These also make for a quick and easy pool deck renovation. In fact, you also get options to use tiles that resemble brick, marble, stone, or wood.

Cost: Low to Medium

• Brick

Bricks have long been in use as a pool deck material. It is attractive and durable and is mostly used along the borders of the pool. But antique bricks must be avoided since these are prone to absorbing more moisture. Also, bricks quickly get slippery and hot, which is why extreme temperatures can affect its performance.

Cost: Medium

• Stone

This is a safe, durable, popular, and stylish option for your pool deck. Stone is most suitable for different types of climates. Available in diverse shapes, sizes, and colors, it is appropriate for constructing decorative elements such as boulders, waterfall, and other structures. Stone adds a timeless appeal – it has a design and quality that is hard to beat. But it is the most expensive option as well.  

Cost: High

• Pavers

Pavers are again an excellent choice since these are durable, look like brick or stone, and are slip-resistant. Pavers can be affixed to match various shapes, sizes, colors, and virtually any design scheme that complements your space. These are also an excellent alternative to poured concrete while being non-slip and affordable. The only con it has is if the base is not stable, the decking surface will be uneven.

Cost: Low

• Spray-on Coatings

Spray-on (cement blended) surfaces or coatings make for an excellent treatment option giving a facelift to a worn-out deck. These are low-maintenance, water-resistant, DIY-friendly, and also economical. Coatings are not for fixing deeper problems. These are great to update, seal, or add texture to the current surface.

Cost: Low to Medium

So there you have it – the best material options for swimming pool decking.

Some of these options are quite variable while the others are static. A decking material that allows better water flow while being sturdy and long-lasting opens up many possibilities for installers and customers to use.

If you reside anywhere in the DFW area or around and require pool deck remodeling or repairing information or services, we at Creative Pools are here to help. Our three decades of expertise makes us the most trusted choice in the entire region.   

Call us today at 214-373-7665 or request a pool design quote for free online. Our representatives will get back to you with the most practical and apt solution.