The effectivity of concrete in building houses, bridges, and roads has been tested and proven for thousands of years now. With the right construction, it can withstand life-threatening natural disasters. And so, no one can deny that concrete is one of the best options for building any structure, including pool decks.
Deciding on the surface of your pool deck can get a little tricky since it will be exposed to water and chemicals most of the time. You need a pool deck that can ensure your safety from slipping and withstand the exposure for an extended period. And concrete could be a good contender for this. To help you figure out if this is the way to go, we have listed the pros and cons of a concrete pool deck.
Pros
Concrete is budget-friendly. Concrete can cost around $5-$25 per square foot, depending on the style that you are going with. The low-cost makes concrete economical while providing the same results that you can get from other higher-priced materials like wood and flagstone.
Concrete can be very versatile. If you think that concrete is just a large piece of a grey slab, then you are wrong. Concrete comes in different types that can be used for your pool deck, depending on what you want to achieve.
Broom Finished Concrete
Broom concrete is the most slip-resistant out of all the styles since its surface has a rough texture. As the name suggests, by dragging a broom onto the pavement, this finish is achieved.
Stamped Concrete
This is where the versatility of concrete truly shines. If you have been wanting the look of wood flooring but could not afford it, stamp concrete can be a good alternative. It can imitate finishes of other materials like flagstone, cobblestone, brick, wood, and more.
Textured Conrete
Textured concrete lies in the middle of broom finished and stamped concrete. Textured concrete provides the right amount of slip resistance and has a sleek finish to it.
Concrete has tested durability. Concrete is one of the few materials that can resist weathering caused by exposure to chemicals and high pressure, making it perfect for a pool deck.
Concrete pool decks are easy to maintain. Unlike other paving materials that require constant maintenance and are hard to clean, dirt on concrete flooring can be easily washed off, and it dries faster.
Cons
Concrete is hard to color-match. Since the concrete mix has no specific color, the color of a concrete slab from another mixture can be a bit different from the other. Matching colors can get complicated.
It could get slippery. A stamped concrete with a smoother finish can get less slip-resistant.
Concrete may crack over time. Even though it’s pretty durable, concrete still tends to get damaged over a certain period and if subjected to intense pressure.
With all that being said, we can say that concrete is definitely a top choice for people who want quality and style but in a tight budget. However, assurance of safety doesn’t come cheap, so if you’re going with a concrete pool deck, I suggest that you do all the preventative measures.
Concrete pool decks may or not according to what you need but they do offer great perks. Interested in securing your own concrete pool deck to minimize the cons? Try concrete resurfacing and concrete sealing to achieve the right color with a slip-resistant function intact. Plus, it helps prolong the lifespan of your concrete. With the right contractor, you’ll definitely get the best out of those concrete decks.
