Over 10 million American families have a pool in their backyard.
While the lure of the cool water on a hot day and excitement of swimming is the main draw of a pool, the pool deck is just as important. This is the place where you’ll gather with your friends and family, play games, eat meals, etc.
That’s why picking the right pool decking material isn’t always an easy choice.
There are a lot of things you have to think about before you make a final decision, so we’ve put together this guide to help walk you through the process.
Here are seven tips that’ll help you choose the right pool decking material for your yard.
1. Come Up With A Budget
Before you start looking at pool decking materials, you need to come up with a budget. After all, you’ve already spent about $28,000 on the installation, so you don’t want to go into debt when you add your deck.
It’s important to decide how much you want to spend on your deck before you start shopping. Otherwise, you might fall in love with a material way out of your price range. If you know how much you can spend going into it, you can avoid looking at materials you can’t afford.
2. Understand Your Options
There are many different types of pool decking material to choose from, so you should have a general idea of what’s on the market and the pros and cons of each choice before you make your final decision.
Here are some of the most popular options:
- Cement
- Wood
- Composite wood
- Stone
- Brick
- Tile
- Pavers
Do a bit of research on each material before you start shopping. This will give you a better idea about which materials will work for your pool.
3. Think About The Design
When it comes to picking pool decking material, you can’t just go with something you think looks nice. While it is important to like the material you end up with, you also have to think about the overall design of your backyard.
Does your home have a modern style? A rustic feel? Do you want something that looks more natural?
You don’t want to install a sleek, modern pool deck if you live in a ranch-style home. Instead, think about a material that will match the overall aesthetics of your property.
4. Make Sure The Material Is Heat-Reflective
You’ll be spending a lot of time walking (and laying!) on your pool deck. You don’t want something that absorbs heat and burns you every time you touch it.
Pick a decking material that will reflect the sun’s heat instead of baking like an oven.
For example, materials like stone (especially darker colors) will get quite hot on a sunny day. Things like wood or composite wood, on the other hand, will feel more comfortable underfoot.
However, this doesn’t mean you should avoid materials like stone. If you don’t mind dealing with the heat, these types of materials can create beautiful decks. You can even find coatings that can help combat the heat.
5. Consider The Required Maintenance
Each decking materials require different levels of maintenance, so before you make a final decision, think about how much maintenance you’ll want to perform over the years.
If you choose wood, you’ll have to sand and reseal it every year or so. Ignoring the maintenance will only lead to splintering, fading, warping, and even molding. After all, the wood is sitting next to a large body of water.
Brick is another material that needs frequent maintenance. Otherwise, it could become lost under a layer of moss.
If you want something low maintenance, you should stick to materials like concrete, pavers, or stone.
6. Pick Something That Feels Good
Unless you plan to wear shoes every time you head out to go swimming, make sure you pick a material that feels good under your feet. Materials that are too rough or bumpy might feel uncomfortable.
And remember, you won’t just be walking on your pool deck. You’ll be sitting and sunbathing there as well.
It’s also a good idea to make sure the material you pick doesn’t have ridges or anything you could potentially trip over since they could pose a potential safety hazard. This is especially important you have young children.
7. Avoid Slippery Surfaces
Your pool deck will get covered in water every time you swim—there’s just no way around it. Because of this, you don’t want a material that will become slippery when wet. Again, this could turn into a safety hazard and lead to injuries.
Make sure the decking you pick is slip-resistant.
Concrete can become slippery if it doesn’t have a textured finish. If moss grows over a brick deck, it can also get slippery. Tile is one of the most slippery options out there.
If you want to play it safe, consider building your deck out of stone. This material has a natural slip resistance even when it gets wet.
How To Choose The Best Pool Decking Materials For Your Yard
Picking the pool decking material for your yard shouldn’t be a quick decision. Make sure you spend time considering things like design, maintenance, and safety.
If you have young children or pets, you should also think about how a pool fence will work with the decking material you choose.
Do you need some help picking the right decking material for your pool?
We can help you through the process! Make sure you get in touch with us today at (713) 634-9490, or you can click here to get a free consultation.
