A new pool deck may just be the ultimate dream feature for any homeowner. The relaxed, leisurely atmosphere of a patio combined with the splashing shouts of swimmers enjoying a rowdy good time entices many to upgrade from that simple patio to a place for great fun. Or maybe you’re lucky enough to already have a pool deck, but it’s tug-of-war with time is beginning to slip too far in the wrong direction, and lately, you’ve been pondering over a new surface.
For both of these circumstances, several decisions present themselves. The size of the deck comes into play. And then comes its shape. Safety, of course, illustrates a huge factor as well. You’ll no doubt have to consider walls or fencing. Pool coping. Slip-resistant material. Oh, and…what kind of stuff, correctly, would you care to use? How will you choose if you’ve narrowed things down to the three most popular—concrete, brick, and natural stone? Or more to the point…would you care to use pavers or stamped concrete?
Don’t worry. Settling on one or the other isn’t as tricky as it sounds. There are pros and cons for every style, and today we mean to reveal them so that you, the lucky homeowner, can stop dallying about with volition and get down to having some fun. An Escondido concrete contractor gave us some advice on what their preferred option is. Ready? Off we go!
Pavers
So what are pavers? As opposed to poured concrete, pavers are sharp, flat stones created in advance at a different site; the rocks are brought to the worksite and installed upon a prepared surface. Other than the weight of the paver itself, nothing (with the possible exception of mortar) is used to hold them in place. Pavers can be made of concrete, brick, clay, or natural stone. All give you a reasonably wide—and downright gorgeous—array of design options. You can even customize the look you want. That’s one of the things that make them the go-to choice for pool decks.
Another is that they are stable. Pavers can be counted on to give owners up to 50 years of service. Or we should say at least that long because many of the old ones are still going today. And because they carry so much visual appeal, pool decks done with pavers tend to have a higher resale value than those in concrete. Repair is also a breeze. For most, it’s a simple matter of removing the damaged paver and replacing it with a fresh one. You can use the best polymeric sand to make grass free paver.
On top of that, pavers have a splendid reputation for being slip-resistant. This is especially true with travertine. Not having to worry so much about people falling around the pool is yet another checkmark in favor pavers.
Pros
- Amazing visual appeal
- Higher resale value
- Easy to replace
- Less slippery than concrete
- Strong enough to last over 50 years
Cons
- A bit more pricey than concrete ($10-$20 per square foot as a rule)
- Can be hard to keep the space between individual pavers clean
- Without the use of polymeric sand, weeds may grow between the pavers
Stamped Concrete
A concrete pool deck that’s poured on-site can be stamped before curing into several attractive designs. Some contractors are even quite gifted in getting the concrete to mimic brick or natural stone—in other words, the surface can be stamped into shapes and shades that resemble more costly material.
This is a definite plus when you want an exotic look without an unusual price tag. Simply put, stamped concrete costs less. Most homeowners who choose stamped concrete for their pool deck also like all the color options they have. It’s almost a sure bet they’re going to get the appearance they want, at least for around 25 years, which is the standard lifespan of this material. To increase its years, it can be sealed to withstand sun, rain, and even some of those harsh pool chemicals.
Pros
- Not as hard on the wallet as pavers (around $6 to $10 per square foot)
- Design and color options are plentiful
- Easy to clean (soap and water will usually do the trick)
Cons
- Shorter overall lifespan than pavers (about 25 years)
- Concrete slabs can and will crack, necessitating patching or replacement of the slab
- A bit on the slippery side when wet (though can be finished to lessen this problem)
- Needs to be re-sealed every 2-3 years
For whichever choice you eventually settle on, we’ll restate that both will provide a robust and good-looking place for you and yours to spend some quality time at the end of the day. Today, however, we hope that you’re moving forth with this task a little more ready for the long term ups and downs. You can learn more about imprinted concrete here.
