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Perfect Pool Decks are Stylish and Comfortable!
Pool decks are expanses of
space that accommodate chairs, tables,
lounge chairs and all the things we want to have
beside the
pool.
It’s the place to entertain or enjoy
quiet afternoons passing time.
This travertine pool deck is not only gorgeous
but installs easily and is comfortable to walk on!
It comes in a range of natural colors. The tumbled
bluestone coping matches the wall cap for a beautiful
finished look.
Many of the same materials that are used
in patios can be used as pool decks with some
exceptions. Here are a few pointers
to keep in mind:
- It has to be comfortable to walk on.
A hot surface is unbearable. Use a paving material
that doesn’t get hot to the touch.
- Roughness is also
an issue. You don't want a rough edge to scrape a
knee or tear a swim suit.
A natural stone with a rough surface is also uneven causing
furniture to rock and roll. It can also stump toes.
Stone that is set in grass or dry laid some other way is going
to be more uneven than a stone surface installed on a concrete
pad with a mortar joint.
- Use a surface that is easy to clean.
Any dry laid material with large joints where the dirt
and debris can get through can be annoying. It can be
a pretty look, but dirt is constantly getting into the
pool from people’s feet. This type of surface is also
difficult to sweep or blow clean.
- Safety is a big concern. A slippery
surface can cause a bad accident. Stay away from slippery
natural stone materials and some tiles. I grew up with a
terracotta tile porch that was like walking on ice when
it got wet. Tile can be gorgeous around a pool, but it
has to be a tile for exterior use that also provides
traction.
Surfaces that are used in Central Virginia:
- Concrete Pavers come in a wide range of colors and
patterns. It is installed completely dry, no mortar.
If the base settles or access is needed to the area
underneath, they come up easily. You don’t have to worry
about the surface cracking.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sandra & Roger Wiley
This pool deck is a concrete paver that looks like
natural stone. It is a favorite of mine. The pieces
fit tightly together making an smooth, even, clean
surface. It is an asset to your landscape design!
- Brick makes an elegant pool deck.
It gives a formality to a landscape design.
Some bricks are rougher than others. Choose one
that is not rough on your feet or snag at your
bathing suit when you sit and dangle your feet
in the water.
This paving looks gorgeous with the white, frame
pool house. This brick is laid in a basket weave
pattern with a mortar joint. There is a bull nose
brick coping on the pool. You don't get much better
than this!
- Decorative Stamped Concrete is smooth to the
touch. The concrete is made with very fine
sand, so the pattern can be pushed into the concrete
with a template. Dark colors of this material also
do not get hot. It’s a great paving to use if you
want a dramatic, dark deck for your landscape design.
This decorative concrete is stamped to look like stone.
It's a nice resemblance don't you think? This dark
color is not hot and is nice and smooth to walk on.
- Standard, gray concrete is still used.
It can have a troweled surface instead of a broom-finish
to make it more comfortable on your feet. Color may
also be added to it to give it a more updated and
interesting look. I have used a brick border and pool
coping on a concrete deck to add interest and style.
I don’t use aggregate concrete around a pool. It’s just
too rough for bare feet.
- I have done a Pennsylvania bluestone pool deck
and it looks incredible. The coping was
rectangular and the deck was random rectangular stones.
It is very elegant. Stay away from slate. It is too
slippery and hot on your feet.
- Lawn up to the edge of the pool is not seen
in Virginia. I see it a lot in New York and
other New England states. It is a very gorgeous look
to see lush green grass by a swimming pool. Of course,
the area is level so it's easy to have furniture around
the pool. Grass does not grow well here in our hot
summers. Maybe this has something to do with not
seeing it used here. It would be brown and patchy looking.
There may be a problem with dirt or grass clippings in the pool.
Budget may determine what you can actually use,
but it doesn’t have to limit the aesthetics of the
project. The pool deck is a big part of the
landscape design. Use a material that meets your needs
and is comfortable and works to create a beautiful and
functional addition to your home.
Questions? Do you want to landscape your home
and do not know where to start?
Ask
me a question about any landscape design issue
or concern. I will respond quickly. You also get
a page on this site dedicated to the topic. You
can share it with your friends and the readers will
learn from your question.
Please
contact me
for further information or to talk to me
about my design services.
Nancy Dransfield
Landesign of Virginia, Inc
P.O. Box 15582
Richmond, Virginia 23227
Office: 804-261-6773
Fax: 804-264-7253
E-mail:
n.dransfield@verizon.net
Related Pages:
Swimming Pools;
Gunite Pools;
Vinyl Liner Pools;
Fiberglass Pools;
Fences;
Back Yards
and
Patios.
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