Pros and Cons Of A Concrete Pool Decks
When it comes to inground pool decks, nothing is more common than concrete. Whether you’re going with standard broom-finished concrete or stamped concrete, a concrete pool deck gives you everything you need to support your pool and at the end of the day, they just look good around pools! Of course, that’s not to say that there are no problems that can be found with a concrete pool deck that you should be aware of.
Luckily there are just a few significant cons that people find with concrete pool decks, but there are several pros as well. Royal Pools and More pour and create dozens of concrete pool decks every year. Outside of pools, concrete is one of our “things.” Standard broom-finished concrete and stamped concrete are the two most popular types of concrete pool decks, and you will find they share a lot of the same pros and cons. In this article, we are going to discuss the major pros and cons that come with a concrete pool deck.
Standard Concrete
Pros –
- Longevity – A pool is an investment, and by extension so is a concrete pool deck. It is both a financial investment and a long-term investment in your happiness with the product. Investing in a concrete pool deck is one of the best decisions you can make because concrete can last upwards of 50 years! After the concrete is poured into the deck shape, it spends about a month afterward hardening and settling into the shape it will have for the next several years. The longevity of concrete is the reason why it is the most popular material used for pool decks.
- Customizability – The creative freedom that concrete allows is unparalleled. Concrete can be formed to make any shape and have almost any look. The shape of your concrete pool deck can be whatever you want it to be, so long as you hire a concrete company that can bring your unique vision to life. Concrete is formed and shaped upon installation which makes it easy for the concrete workers to give it a unique look that is specific to your wants.
- Durability – How does a concrete deck last so long you ask? Well, concrete is extremely durable, so durable in fact that certain concrete structures can last a whole century! Durability is what most people love so much about concrete and why it has remained so popular over the years.
Cons –
- Cracking – Talk to any concrete worker about problems with concrete and you will hear something along the lines of, “Concrete is going to crack. It is what it is, there’s not much we can do about it.” This is the unfortunate truth. If you experience what is known as a minor stress crack, it is usually not as noticeable as a crack that forms over time due to seasonal temperature changes, lack of control joints that prevent cracking, or soil expansion. The best thing to do when you notice a crack in your concrete pool deck is to caulk and seal it to prevent any water or debris from getting in the crack, which can cause the cracks to expand. Cracks in a concrete pool deck are practically impossible to avoid which makes it far and away the biggest con of concrete pool decks. Please make sure to find an experienced concrete company that will lay out your control joints in the best fashion possible.
- Discoloration – Discoloration in your concrete pool deck is something that you may notice right away or over time. If your concrete was poured by more than one load using various mixes, your concrete may not have a uniform color to it. Some concrete mixes have more water in them than others and can appear a different color than a thicker mix. Discoloration can also happen over time due to exposure to sunlight or direct contact with pool chemicals. A positive to note would be that if your concrete appears to be different colors out of the gate, the concrete will usually fade into a uniform color over time.
Stamped Concrete
Pros –
- Longevity
- Customizability
- Durability
Cons –
- Upkeep – Maintaining a stamped concrete pool deck is very simple and only has to be done every two years, but nonetheless it does cost some. To prevent color fading and to counterbalance general wear and tear, stamped concrete pool decks require a thorough power washing, followed by resealing the entire surface of the floor. This is done upon installation and has to be done at least every two years, and it is recommended to do it earlier if your deck is the subject of a lot of foot traffic. Some homeowners don’t mind having to clean and reseal their stamped concrete pool deck. But for someone looking for a concrete pool deck that requires no upkeep, a stamped concrete pool deck though beautiful, may not be the best choice.
- Cracking
- Discoloration
Conclusion
It is of utmost importance to be informed on both the good and the bad when it comes to something like a pool and all the add-ons that come with it, particularly your choice of deck. It is no debate that concrete is the most popular type of inground pool decking, but nothing is perfect. It’s important to remember that concrete pool decks will last longer than just about anything else, but that doesn’t mean they will never crack. All things require balance… a healthy amount of good and bad. But hopefully, you now see that the pros of concrete pool decks outweigh the cons.