Thinking about getting a new pool? One of the things you’ll have to think about is what material you want to use for your pool deck.
Your pool deck (also known as the pool patio) is the area around the pool on which you can walk and place pool furniture, tables, lounge chairs, etc. The patio is not the same as the pool’s coping, which is the material that is used from the transition from the pool to the pool deck. Stay with us to learn more about pool coping in a future blog.
Pool decks can be made out of a number of different materials. The best one for your situation will depend a lot on the climate where you live. Learn the reason for this, as well as the pros and cons of the most common pool deck materials, in our blog.
Pool Deck Materials
Concrete
This is probably the pool deck material you’re most familiar with. Concrete pool decks are usually either broom finished (for a standard concrete look), or stamped. Stamped concrete is able to imitate almost any stone out there, so you can get the look of stone without the price.
The upside of concrete is that it’s very affordable, especially broom finish concrete. Stamped concrete in particular allows for a lot of customization with designs. The downside is that it has a tendency to crack, especially if you live in an area that gets very cold winters. The freeze thaw cycles here are often too much for concrete to handle, and almost inevitably results in cracks. Concrete is much more viable in southern climates, where cold weather isn’t as much of a factor.
Pavers
Pavers are essentially bricks made out of concrete. They’re arranged over a stone and sand base to form a pattern that interlocks to make your pool deck.
While pavers are made of concrete, they’re cured before they’re placed, so they won’t crack. (Concrete is cured when it’s placed, which can cause cracking.) Even if a paver gets damaged, you can just remove it and replace it with a new one.
Pavers are more expensive than concrete, but many homeowners find their durability well worth the investment.
Stone
Stone can make for a truly unique and beautiful pool patio. Travertine in particular is a popular stone for pool decks. A kind of limestone, travertine is not slippery when wet and stays cool to the touch. Other natural stones can also be used for pool decks.
Stone is easily the most expensive option for your pool patio, but its durability is unmatched. And if you want a beautiful look that few others will have, it’s also your best choice.
Build a New Pool and Paying Off Your Bills
With a loan from HFS Financial, you can pay for both your bills and your new pool at the same time! Are you interested in learning more? Contact us today or fill out one of our simple 60-second loan applications!