The Best Materials To Use When Remodeling Your Pool Deck

It’s spring, and you have decided to redo your pool deck. After looking around, you are overwhelmed and just all little confused about all of your options. It’s true than new materials such as composites, that look like wood but are plastic are becoming standard. Before you decide make sure you know what is really important to you.

It may be that young children or older adults need a non-slip surface. Perhaps you’re concerned about the heat reflection properties of a particular material; burning feet are not a fun way to relax and play. It could be that you need a low maintenance product or a very durable surface. Of course, we’re all concerned with the price these days. Let’s look at some of the materials being used today for pool decks, and the qualities they offer.

Wood

Wood has long been used for decks. It’s popularity is that it’s relatively easy to use during the construction of your deck and it is one of the favorite deck materials around. Wood is also the predominant choice for decks that are built off the ground. The most significant drawback of using wood material is that it needs yearly maintenance to stop the rot and bug problems that can destroy it. Wood has dropped in popularity slightly due to its maintenance issues, but for many, the natural look and ease of working with wood helps keep it one of the top choices for many, when remodeling a pool deck.

Composite Wood

Composite wood is a wonderful choice for those who would rather just skip the maintenance aspects of owning a deck. It requires no maintenance at all. Composite wood looks just like wood but is made from plastic. It hardly ever fades and does not rot. What’s the one big drawback in using a composite wood? It’s more expensive upfront than wood, but may pay off in the long run once you calculate the maintenance costs.

Stone Decking

The beautiful thing about stone is that it comes in many color, shapes and sizes. You can let your imagination go wild. It has a natural aesthetic look than blends in well with most homes. The material is durable, and it has a natural friction that means fewer slips or falls. Correcting shifts or even cracks is relatively simple when compared to the difficulty in correcting problems with other materials. It’s done by embedding large finely cut stones into a layer of concrete.

Pavers

Pavers also come in a wide variety of choices when it comes to your deck. You can use all the same size or mix it up depending on the look you want. Pavers come in several different materials, concrete pavers, brick pavers and Travertine. Pavers easily shed the effects of pool water, and that means it will last longer. It has a high wear and tear resistance and where safety is concerned, it’s one of the better products when it comes to being slip-resistance.

Tile

Almost everyone loves the look of a tile deck. The main point to remember is that the tile you use for flooring won’t work. Deck tile is unglazed to reduce the chance of slips. Tile has an elegant look as opposed to the natural look of wood and stone. There is a wide variety of looks to choose from. Tile can replicate wood, marble, stone or even bricks and you can create a design that gives your deck a very unique look. Square is currently the most common shape, but others are available.

You have many choices for the best material for your pool deck. It can get kind of confusing so you might want to speak to a professional to make sure that the issues that are important to you such as slip resistant and heat reflection are addressed. A professional can help you pick the right material and the right design making your deck truly yours.