A backyard pool is a great way to spend your summer. If you don't have much space surrounding your pool for lounging, make pool time more enjoyable with a brand new poolside deck!
Take a look at these tips for choosing the right decking materials for your pool and then go ahead and practice your cannonball once it's all done!
What to consider
When you're planning your poolside deck project you'll need to consider a few things such as: size, layout and materials. Depending on a number of factors your options could be limited.
Size
Your backyard pool might already take up plenty of space in the backyard so adding on to it might not be the best idea. However, if you have your heart set on enjoying summer lounging on your poolside deck, remember to make enough room in your deck plans for:
- Lounge furniture
- Safety equipment
- Walking
- Anything else you'd like to keep nearby
Whether the pool was an addition to your home after you moved or you've had it the entire time you've lived there, in the beginning it was likely a large portion of your free time. Often the noveltyl can wear off and the pool may fade to the background, so when considering the size of your poolside deck, keep in mind that you will still want to leave enough room for other backyard activities other than swimming.
Poolside decking materials
When choosing the materials for your poolside deck it should complement the appearance of your pool and the rest of your backyard. The deck will soon become the focal point of your yard, so you want to make sure it's anything but an eyesore.
Popular decking materials include composite decking materials, wood, concrete and paver stones. When it comes to each material, prices and the time to install will vary, so be sure to choose the material that's right for you and your needs.
Pavers that are usually made of concrete, bricks or stone can vary wildly in price and tend to scale more toward the expensive side because of the amount of labor involved during installation. Pavers and stones are a good option for those DIY families who don't mind some heavy lifting. They're also weather-resistant, non-slip and very durable.
Wooden decks don't have the life expectancy of stone and concrete but are equally beautiful. Wood decks are higher maintenance and will require refinishing on a regular basis to maintain color. Exotic wood like ipe are growing in popularity.
Composite decking material is made of wood and plastic. The wood particles can be made from sawdust, wood chips and recycled plastic materials. These decking materials often come in a variety of colors and with lengthy warranties. Decks made of composite materials also resist warping and rotting, which is often a concern when the deck is near the pool.
Above ground pool decks
If you're thinking that you can't put a deck around your above ground pool, you're wrong. It just takes some planning. In no time you'll be enjoying your poolside deck a few feet off the ground.
No matter what type of pool you have in your backyard, building a poolside deck will increase the appeal of your home and more specifically, your backyard.