A new pool deck is possibly the ultimate dream feature for any homeowner. The relaxed, leisurely atmosphere of a terrace, combined with the babbling calls of swimmers enjoying a good time, tempts many to step up from that simple terrace to a place for great fun. Or maybe you are lucky enough to already have a pool deck, but the tug of war begins to slide too far in the wrong direction over time, and lately you've been thinking about a new surface.
There are several decisions for both circumstances. The size of the deck comes into play. And then comes its shape. Of course, security also shows a big factor. You undoubtedly need to consider walls or fences. Pool management. Non-slip material. Oh, and … what kind of things would you like to use? Once you've narrowed things down to the three most popular – concrete, brick, and natural stone, how will you choose? Or more to the point … would you like to use paving stones or punched concrete?
Do not worry. Choosing one or the other isn't as difficult as it sounds. Each style has advantages and disadvantages, and today we want to disclose them so that you, the happy homeowner, can no longer voluntarily frolic and have fun. An Escondido concrete contractor gave us some advice on which option to prefer. Ready? Let's go!
Pavers
What are pavers? Unlike poured concrete, paving stones are sharp, flat stones that have been made in advance in a different location. The stones are brought to the construction site and installed on a prepared surface. Aside from 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 of them give you a reasonably wide – and downright gorgeous – selection of design options. You can even customize the look you want. This is one of the things that make them the first choice for pool decks.
Another reason is that they are stable. Manufacturers can rest assured that the owners will be in service for up to 50 years. Or at least we should say so long because many of the old ones are still going today. And because they are so visually appealing, paved pool decks tend to have a higher resale value than concrete ones. Repair is a breeze too. For most, it is easy to remove the damaged paver and replace it with a new one.
Pavers also have an excellent reputation for being non-slip. This is especially true for travertine. Another check mark for pavers is that you don't have to worry so much about people falling around the pool.
advantages
- Amazing visual appeal
- Higher resale value
- Easy to replace
- Less slippery than concrete
- Strong enough to last over 50 years
disadvantage
- Slightly more expensive than concrete ($ 10 to $ 20 per square foot typically)
- It can be difficult to keep the gap between pavers clean
- Without the use of polymer sand, weeds can grow between the pavements
Punched concrete
A cast-in-place concrete pool deck can be stamped in several attractive designs before curing. Some contractors are even very skilled at making the concrete mimic brick or natural stone – in other words, the surface can be stamped in shapes and shades that resemble more expensive materials.
This is a definite plus if you want an exotic look without an unusual price. Put simply, punched concrete costs less. Most homeowners who choose die cut concrete for their pool deck also like all of the color options they have. It is almost certain that they will maintain the desired appearance for at least about 25 years. This is the standard life of this material. To extend its life, it can be sealed to withstand sun, rain, and even some of these harsh pool chemicals.
advantages
- Not as tough on the wallet as cobblestones (around $ 6-10 per square foot)
- Design and color options are plentiful
- Easy to clean (soap and water are usually sufficient)
disadvantage
- Shorter overall service life than a paver (approx. 25 years)
- Concrete slabs can and will crack, requiring the slab to be mended or replaced
- Slightly slippery when wet (but can be stopped to reduce this problem)
- Must be resealed every 2-3 years
Whichever choice you ultimately choose, we will again point out that both provide a rugged and good-looking place for you and your friends to spend some quality time at the end of the day. However, we hope that with this assignment today you are a little better prepared for the long-term ups and downs.
