Practical and Luxurious Choices for Pool Decks and Outdoor Flooring

According to statistics from the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, people actually spend more time on their pool decks than in the pool itself; and of the estimated 7.5 million people in the U.S. who own pools, about 24 percent use them primarily for swimming only.

These numbers are indicators of the importance of having a functional yet well-designed outdoor living space that surrounds our pool. Entertaining guests have moved out of the living room, out to the wide open spaces of our outdoor living area.

One of the most popular pool deck design these days uses decorative concrete as its main material. Concrete is used for making pavers, outdoor flooring for our driveways, walkways, patios, and garages. Concrete pavers are cheap yet sturdy. They come in varying sizes, designs, and shapes, which means matching it to the rest of your house's design will be a lot easier. Outdoor flooring made with concrete is also the most economical and practical option for anyone intending to have an outdoor living area for their home. The material is easy to work with for large areas or those with built-in outdoor landscapes like fountains or gazebos. Concrete treatments have also made the material withstand the wear-and-tear conditions of the outdoors so there is less need for maintenance or remodeling.

Commercial and residential contractors have greatly encouraged the use of concrete to their clients. Commercial contractors have made this option one of the first choices when building resort pool decks, recreational outdoor areas for high-rise condominiums, and multiple large real estate properties.

Here are some examples of modern, functional, and luxurious designs for pool decks using concrete as its base material.

1. The Stamped Concrete Pool Deck

Use stained and textured concrete to create patterns on the pool flooring. Try coloring it with Sandstone Color Hardener and Weathered Sage release agent using Italian Slate stamps.

2. Concrete Overlay Pool Deck

When doing some pool remodeling, why not turn drab, gray pool deck floor to something more lively by using Micro-tropping Polymer. This polymer is like a paint meant for concrete without the 'painted look.' This is a cheaper alternative from totally redoing your pool deck and spending more time and money. It's a subtle yet bolder statement of pool remodeling.

3.The Mediterranean Look

Builders and contractors are usually challenged when clients demand for an exotic look for their decks. The combination of sand-colored concrete and rock salt finishing can turn an ordinary looking deck to one that looks like it was torn from the pages of a vacation magazine. The treatment on the concrete also reinforces the anti-slip requirement of a good pool deck. Complete the look with palm trees and woven hammocks.

4.   Flagstone Patterned Concrete Deck

Concrete is made to look like natural blocks of stones so your deck has a very organic and cool feel to it. This design adds texture and depth to the whole area. They usually treat flagstones with a solution to prevent it from heating-up too much during the hot summer days.

Other options for your outdoor flooring is the use of brick and/or interlocking pavers. These type of pavers are not cheaper than regular concrete pavers, of course, but they still offer great functionality and versatility. Interlocking pavers are actually made of concrete but look like a bit like cobblestones. Installment of these pavers require more time and energy but once they are in, they pretty much take care of themselves. Brick pavers, on the other hand, are less sturdy because they are prone to cracks and breaking under extreme temperature changes or earthquakes.