When designing the perfect pool, it’s important to think holistically. The decking that frames the pool, specifically, has a huge part to play: it can either add to the overall ambiance, aesthetic appeal, and safety, or it can detract from the experience, creating an uninviting and even hazardous place to avoid. To help you choose the perfect decking and therein secure your dream pool during pool renovations, we’ve highlighted the pros and cons of the most popular decking materials.
Factors to Consider
Before diving into the different fiberglass pool decking options, it’s critical to consider the following factors that will affect your choice.
- Safety: Are kids going to be running around the pool? What about someone who has mobility or balance issues? Consider how slip-resistant you want your material to be.
- Comfort: Are people going to be lying on the decking? Will you be standing on it for long periods of time without shoes on? Keep this in mind for materials that retain heat or have textured or rough finishes.
- Durability: Do you want to go with the longest lasting decking available? Or are you okay repairing or replacing decking sooner if it checks the other boxes?
- Cost: How much of your pool budget do you want to set aside for your decking? Also consider how far past the pool you want your decking to extend, as that will impact the overall price.
Most Popular Decking Materials
Travertine Pavers and the Travertine French Pattern
Pros: Travertine pavers are one of our favorites due to their natural beauty! Travertine pavers also don’t get hot like concrete-based pavers. You can walk on them in 100° heat and not get burned! Furthermore, these pavers offer some grip and are not slippery. And perhaps the best part is that they can be pulled up if you need to access anything underneath them.
Cons: Slightly more expensive than other decking options, and they need to be installed by someone with the knowhow.
Concrete
Pros: It’s one of the most cost-effective options. It’s low maintenance, withstands the elements well, and can be customized with stamps or colors to customize the appearance. With cool deck coating, concrete will also stay cool, gain more texture for slip resistance, and come in a variety of colors.
Cons: It can get very hot under the sun (when not using cool deck coating). Heavy rain can cause the surrounding soil to expand, potentially resulting in cracks. It’s also not the most comfortable surface to stand on for extended periods of time.
Composite Wood
Pros: This mixture of wood fibers and plastics gives the elevated appearance of wood decking with a much lower risk of rot. It’s easy to maintain and moisture-resistant.
Cons: While cheaper than wood, it can be more expensive than other options. It can also fade or scratch in high traffic areas, and it may become slippery when wet if it doesn’t have a special slip-resistant texture.
Pavers
Pros: Often in a stone, concrete, or brick material, pavers are a durable option. Interlocking pavers are also easy to replace if one becomes damaged. They come in a variety of shapes and styles and are moisture-resistant.
Cons: Pavers can be expensive, depending on the material. Some materials may even be slippery, depending on how smooth it is. Interlocking pavers may shift over time, raising or lowering gradually with the earth underneath, requiring more regular maintenance than other decking options.
Tiles
Pros: Tiles are an aesthetically attractive decking to frame your pool. There are also specific types of drainage tiles designed to remain cool, funnel water back to the pool, and provide a soft surface.
Cons: Tiles can be expensive. Furthermore, traditional tiles can become slick, so you’ll need to invest in slip-resistant surfacing and texture. As for durability, the grout between the tiles may need regular upkeep, and tiles can also crack under heavy weight.
Epoxy
Pros: Epoxy comes in practically any color as it is entirely customizable. It is also extremely durable if you invest in a high-quality mixture with professional installation. Expect it to last at least 20 years or more!
Cons: Without a high-quality mixture or professional installation, epoxy will fade and lose durability in intense heat. It is also very slippery when wet, but many epoxy companies offer textured finishes to combat this exact problem.
Which Decking Is Right For You?
The decking around your pool can make or break the experience and appearance of your watering hole, so it’s important to carefully consider all your options. If you’d like expert advice on which decking would be best for your lifestyle and backyard, give us a call at Fiberlux.
Whether you’re renovating your pool or installing a new one, our Fiberlux team can talk through all the options and provide samples of the different materials, so you can get a feel for them yourself. Contact us today to find the perfect fiberglass pool decking for your backyard.