Having a backyard pool is wonderful, especially during the hot summer months. But before installing a pool, there are many things to consider such as the size, the shape, and of course, what type of pool deck you want to install. Your pool deck is one of the main focal points of your backyard, so it’s important to choose one that you’ll love for years to come. One of the better options available is a modern concrete pool deck.
In this article, we’ll look at how you can transform your backyard pool by installing a modern concrete pool deck. We’ll also go over everything you need to know, including the different types available on the market and the benefits of installing a concrete pool deck, so that you can decide if this is a good design option for your backyard pool.
Spoiler alert: it is.
What Is a Modern Concrete Pool Deck?
The area surrounding your pool, or the border of your pool if you prefer to think of it that way, is commonly known as a pool deck. Though you can have a pool without a deck, we would not recommend it. A pool deck helps you enjoy your pool more by providing you with a space to relax when you aren’t swimming.
When it comes to choosing a material for your pool deck, there are a number of options available. The most popular include pool deck pavers such as stone and brick, wood and wood plastic composite pool decking, a retractable pool deck, and, of course, poured concrete. The latter is the one we examine here.
The Benefits of Using Concrete for Your Pool Deck
Each of the different pool deck materials mentioned above has its own pros and cons, but concrete, in particular, has more upsides than downsides. Let’s look at some of the main benefits you’ll enjoy when installing a modern concrete pool deck.
Concrete Pool Decks Are The Most Durable
Of all the options available on the market, concrete pool decks are by far the most durable. A professionally installed concrete pool deck can last a lifetime without needing to be replaced.
In contrast, other pool deck options might need to be replaced several times over the course of a few decades due to rain, snow, and other environmental factors. In other words, a concrete pool deck is a great investment that you’ll likely only need to make once.
Concrete Pool Decks Are Available In Different Styles
When some people think of concrete, they picture boring, grey slabs, but this is definitely not the case when it comes to modern concrete pool decks. Today’s concrete pool decks are available in just about every color imaginable, as well as different styles, shapes, and textures.
No matter what type of look you’re going for, you’ll be able to find a concrete pool deck that will work well with your backyard design and that you’ll love.
Related: How to Prepare for Pool Deck Resurfacing
Concrete Pool Decks Can Mimic Other More Expensive Materials
Concrete is an incredibly versatile material that’s been around since the Egyptian pyramids, meaning that people have been working with concrete for centuries. In that time, we’ve learned a few things about how to manipulate it.
Today it’s possible to mimic almost any other material by using concrete, so if you have your heart set on a stonework pool deck but don’t have a massive budget, you can still get the look and feel that you’re dreaming of by using concrete.
Concrete Pool Decks are the Least Expensive
One of the biggest benefits of installing a concrete pool deck is that it won’t break the bank. Concrete is by far the least expensive option for a pool deck, and considering that’s it’s also the most durable and one of the most stylish options, it’s hard to come up with a single good reason not to go with concrete for your modern backyard pool deck.
Different Types of Concrete Pool Decks
As mentioned above, concrete is highly versatile, and different types of concrete pool deck options are available on the market. So, let’s briefly look at some of the most popular options so that you can choose the concrete pool deck that will work best in your backyard.
Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete is a great choice when you want to have a pool deck that resembles brick, flagstone, or natural slate. When concrete is colored and stained, it’s almost impossible to tell it apart from natural stone.
In addition, it’s more durable and easier to install, clean, and maintain, along with that perk of being so much more affordable. Keep in mind that stamped concrete also complements other decorative features such as broom finishes and exposed aggregate, making a stamped concrete pool deck an ideal choice for many backyard designs and exterior landscapes.
Colored Concrete
Coloring concrete with chemical stains or dry-shake hardeners is an increasingly popular and highly effective method for transforming your concrete pool deck into whatever you want it to be. Coloring works well with stamped concrete and can allow you to replicate the look of other, more expensive materials.
It also allows you to design your backyard without being limited in terms of the colors you can use for your other exterior features. Generally speaking, lighter colors work best as they repel the harsh UV rays of the sun, allowing you to keep the surface of your pool deck cooler during the hot summer months.
Stenciled Concrete
Stenciling is an excellent alternative to stamped concrete that also allows for a ton of versatility and design flexibility. Stamped concrete uses rubber stamps to generate the texture of the pool deck, whereas stenciled concrete takes advantage of paper stencils to create stone or brick patterns.
When used in tandem with a dry-shake hardener, stenciled concrete pool decks can mimic the look of having individual bricks, or mortared stones, which would cost a fortune to install if you weren’t using stenciled concrete.
There are a ton of different concrete stencils available, including slate, stone, brick, and tile stencils, so that no matter what sort of design you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find something you’ll love when using stenciled concrete.
Related: How Often Should You Seal a Concrete Pool Deck?
Rock-Salt Concrete
Using a rock-salt finish is an excellent, cost-effective, and simple method for adding different textures and non-slip features to your concrete pool deck.
The idea is that tiny grains of rock salt are pressed into the freshly poured concrete and then flattened with a roller before being washed away. The finished product is a gorgeous, speckled pattern on the surface of the concrete that resembles naturally weathered rock features.
Brushed Concrete
Brushing or brooming your concrete pool deck is another way of adding an element of slip resistance, which is fairly important to have around your pool. The way the technique works is also straightforward. Basically, once the concrete has been poured, you just run a broom or a brush across the surface. This adds some texture to the finished pool deck.
Although brooming is a relatively modest design choice, it looks great when used in tandem with colored stains and dyes, allowing you to add an element of safety while still ensuring that your pool deck looks fantastic.
Exposed Aggregate
When you expose the aggregate in concrete, the result is a finish that resembles a myriad of pebbles. This not only looks great but also makes the floor slip resistant for a long time.
Exposed aggregate comes in a variety of colors and different sizes. If you choose this option, you’ll be able to design your backyard however you want without being hindered or restricted in the colors used in your other outdoor features. One increasingly popular and stunning option is to use exposed aggregate in tandem with smooth concrete to create a pool deck that features both visual and textural contrast.
How to Get a Modern Concrete Pool Deck
There are many different companies that install concrete pool decks, but your best bet will be to go with a company that offers professional service, competitive rates, guaranteed work, and has established an excellent reputation in the industry.
California Pools has been the industry leader for over 75 years. If you don’t want to take any chances and want to make sure that the job is done perfectly the first time, get in touch with California Pools today.
