6 Pool Decking Ideas You Should Consider

Pool decking is the hardscape area that surrounds your pool. You also may see it referred to as a surround. There are quite a few pool decking ideas that you should consider before making your final choice. They all have their pros and cons and after you learn about them, you should be able to make the best decision for your space and lifestyle.

What should you consider when choosing pool decking? Here are a few things to think about.

• How slippery is the material? Pool decks can get pretty wet and you don’t want anyone slipping.
• Does the material stay cool? People will have bare feet when on the decking so you want to make sure that it stays cool.
• Does it match your space? Does the design go with the rest of your yard?
• What’s the cost? Is it affordable for the amount you’ll be using?

Here are a few pool decking ideas:

Poured Concrete

If you’re looking for a clean even surface around your pool, you’ll want to consider poured concrete. You can get in just about every color imaginable and it’s going to stay nice and cool under your feet. There are a couple of issues with poured concrete, first of all, it has to be poured by a professional so you won’t be able to DIY it yourself. Another disadvantage is if you choose too smooth of texture it could get slippery. 

Pavers

Pavers are a popular choice for pool decking and it’s one we’ve used before around a pool. They are a good choice for several reasons. What I like most about pavers is that they create a timeless pool decking if you choose the right material. I also like that if you ever have a problem area like a cracked paver, you can just take it up and replace it with a new one.

We used pavers around the pool at our previous house. We loved the look, but keep in mind that if the ground settles over time around the pool, it can cause some uneven places in your pool decking.

Brick

Brick is another great idea for pool decking. Bricks have similar characteristics to pavers, they’re budget-friendly and can be replaced one at a time. You’re not stuck with just red brick either, bricks come in all different colors from gray to terra cotta. One disadvantage of bricks is that if mold grows on them, they could get slippery. Although you can do some yearly maintenance, and this doesn’t have to be an issue.  

Wood

Wood pool decking gives a nice classic look which may be just what you’re going for. It gives an elevated natural look that’s hard to find anywhere else. You can really customize your look with wood. You can choose from a number of different wood species and some paint or stain can transform it into just about any color you can imagine.  

Natural Stone

You can never go wrong with natural materials. That’s why natural stone is a great pool decking idea. You can get stones in a huge assortment of sizes from small irregular pieces to large rectangular stones. Flagstone is most often used for pool decking made of stone. These are flat pieces of stone that are a mixture of sandstone, limestone, and a few other rocks. Keep in mind that dark stone may get hot when it’s out in the sun. 

Tile

Tile is another option for pool decking. The biggest disadvantage of using tile is that it can get very slippery. You’ll want to choose a tile that has some grip to it so people don’t slip when they’re around the pool.

Tile may be a good choice if you’re wanting to create a seamless look when transitioning from the inside to the outside. This is the option that we went with for our new pool. We chose a concrete look tile in a random pattern and installed it ourselves.

No matter what pool decking option you choose, as long as you pay attention to the advantages and disadvantages you’ll be able to make the right choice in decking for your pool. 

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