Why Choose Concrete For Your Pool Deck?

The choice of material for your pool deck is a matter of taste and budget. However, concrete is generally considered the best choice, offering clear benefits over other options.

It is durable, affordable and slip-resistant when textured properly. It also resists cracking and stains well. However, concrete is warm to the touch and can promote weed growth, so it requires regular cleaning.

Slate Look Tiles

The pool deck is a perfect place to get creative and frame your pool with eye-catching material combinations. A pool deck can take many forms, from a concrete surface that integrates seamlessly into the rest of your outdoor lounge area, to a second-level deck that plays off of a natural curve in your pool.

Slate look tiles are a great choice for pool decks because they evoke feelings of luxury and are impervious to water—making them perfect for wet areas. In this example from Tina Ramchandani Creative, large-scale gray tiles create a sleek contemporary look that contrasts with the shingled pool house.

Rather than a traditional deck, consider creating a pool-side garden for a more natural and inviting atmosphere. Here, Melanie of Lady Landscape has planted a medley of perennials like Joe Pye weed, iris, tulips, and coneflowers around her vinyl liner pool for a relaxing backdrop that can be enjoyed in the shade or sunlight.

Concrete

Concrete is a cost-effective option that provides a wide range of design features to match any pool landscape. It also helps protect the deck from damage caused by water, heat and cold.

While a new concrete pour is the most expensive choice, repairing an existing concrete surface can be more affordable. This involves filling in large empty spaces, called voids, that can be the source of cracking or dislodging your water line tile.

A broom finish is an inexpensive way to add slip resistance to a concrete pool deck. Crews run a bristle broom over the concrete while it is still wet, creating a lightly textured surface. It’s a simple but effective treatment that can be dyed or stained to create a more distinctive look.

A liquid rubber coating system can also be applied to the surface of a concrete deck. These soft, durable coatings are safe to walk on with bare feet and can be tinted or colored.

Artificial Turf

Many homeowners opt for a natural-looking artificial turf pool deck instead of concrete, tile, wood or pavers. This provides a softer backyard setting and practical benefits for almost any lifestyle.

While hard surfaces like brick, concrete and stone become slick when wet, synthetic grass feels soft and comfortable under bare feet. It’s also safer to walk and run on than slippery, hardscape materials.

Adding to the comfort of synthetic grass, it never needs to be mowed, trimmed or fertilized. This helps keep toxic chemicals and yard debris from ending up in your swimming pool water, creating a safer environment for children to play on.

Choose a dense, heavy face weight turf product to prevent matting and flattening of the fibers from foot traffic. Look for drainage channels and perforations to ensure that the surface dries quickly after rain or irrigation. And to reduce heat buildup on the surface, select a grass with TigerCool’s evaporative cooling infill.

Porcelain Pavers

A pool deck renovation that incorporates porcelain pavers is a bold step into luxury that will elevate your backyard. Unlike natural stone and concrete pavers, porcelain tiles are manufactured rather than harvested and are created to mimic the look of any hard material you desire. They are available in a broad spectrum of colors and coatings from showroom collections that range from soothing greys reminiscent of a metro parkway to earthy beige that resembles travertine.

Due to the advanced manufacturing process used in their production, porcelain paving stones are nonporous and resist mold and mildew growth as well as staining. They are also impervious to freeze-thaw cycles and the resulting damage. As an added benefit, unlike concrete and stone pavers, porcelain does not need to be sealed regularly. Additionally, the textured surface of these pavers creates a slip-resistant finish that prevents accidents and injuries. This is especially important for pool decks that are frequented by children and adults.

from Decking Newcastle https://ift.tt/wsZHNx3
via IFTTT