Let’s face it! It takes time and planning to install a brand-new swimming pool. A swimming pool isn’t just a hole in the ground with concrete walls, tile, and filled with water. There are many other items to consider when building a new swimming pool such as LED lights and many other finishing touches to choose from

Let’s focus on decking. It is evident that your oasis is not just a hole in the ground filled with water; it has lights, waterfalls, grottos, tanning shelves, etc. When the time comes to build a swimming pool, it’s the decking that will make your pool stand out. In other words, pool decking is the add-on fashionista of the backyard. The decking area combines all pool elements and landscaping to come together to create your dream backyard oasis.

When you meet with your pool designer, he or she will help you find the right materials and designs for a beautiful decking, but first, there are some things you need to know why decking gets built after placing a coping.

Pool Decking is Beautiful, but How Does it Work?

Your pool deck serves as the immediate area around your pool. It is the space to entertain your family and friends. It is also the space to place your outdoor furniture and, even, an outdoor structure. The deck makes your whole staycation look stylish and inviting. It is vital that it is well constructed using the right materials.

Your swimming pool deck can be the perfect place for family fun. Choosing deck material shouldn’t be just a matter of going with what you think is the most attractive. There are some critical things to consider when selecting decking, such as:

• Non-Slip Decking
• Leveled Decking material with no course, no bump surface 
• Heat-reflective material keeps the surface cooler on hot days
• A selection of decking materials resistant to algae acid, mold, mildew, chemicals and frost

Once you have this covered, then it’s time to design decking fit for the design of your swimming pool. Although some like wood decking, it proves that a concrete-based decking is better and longer-lasting. Here are some styles of decking that are popular choices to use around swimming pools today:

Brushed Concrete – This type of decking is the simplest one. It is a leveled layer of concrete with a brush ran over the surface finish. The trick to make concrete beautiful will depend on the coarseness of the brush bristles. The lighter the bristles, the lighter the texture.

Hand Seeded P-Gravel

Hand seeded p-gravel is a poured concrete decking with scattered pebbles on the surface. In most cases, the size can go from 1/8th to a 3/8th of an inch. These pea-sized pebbles come in a range of natural colors like gray, white, black and transparent.

Deck Coating

A good quality decking will depend on the coating. It comes in all sizes and shapes. Deck coating is more cooling than concrete decking options, is slip-resistant, and does not stain or mildew.

Scoreline

This type of deck coating allows you to have a pattern, making the decking area original. At the same time, it is cooler than concrete; it doesn’t stain, is mildew resistant and is easy to maintain.

Pattern Concrete

Pattern concrete (a.k.a. stamped concrete) is a patterned, textured or embossed concrete, resembling brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile, wood, and various other patterns and textures. Stamped concrete is not limited to pool decks. You can see these on patios, sidewalks, driveways, and interior flooring.

Belgard Pavers

This type of decking is more durable, slip-resistant, flexible to any design, and excellent for overlay options. They also come in a permeable paver or porcelain paver.

Travertine Pavers

As one of the more popular materials for building luxury pool decks, it is known for its beautiful and hard-wearing characteristics since ancient times. Nowadays, pool builders depend on the material’s porous nature helping it to be more heat resistant and cool to the touch. Just like the Belgard Paver, travertine absorbs the water immediately, is slip-resistant and handles all types of weather conditions.

Flagstone Decking

Another pool deck material frequently used by pool builders. Flagstone is a slab of natural paving, with earth-toned colors, textures, and is idyllic for pool decking. Some of the advantages of flagstone decking include a non-slip surface, moisture, and heat resistant, and resists continuous use.

Flagstone Inlays

In most cases, flagstone inlays serve as a walking path. In pool decking, they serve as a decorative motive between concrete slabs or other types of deck coating.

Tile Decking

If you want an elegant, resistant, eco-friendly deck, then check out tile decking. Some tiles snap together, so it doesn’t need a hammer to install. Tile decking comes in an array of materials like porcelain and stone. Also, there is a variety of colors and patterns.

Slate

One of the most used types of stones is the slate. It is heavy, durable, and shaped in any form and size. The variety of colors include dark gray, black, brown, red, purple, green and combinations of colors including blue. If you are looking for a natural design or a traditional space, then slate decking is the best option.

Keep in mind that the coping will connect between the swimming pool and the decking. Consult with your builder and ensure to level the landscaping before building the pool decking.