Prior to breaking ground, you must decide on your materials if you plan to construct a pool and pool deck or remodel an existing one. Concrete was the preferred material for pool decks for many years, but in recent years, pool deck pavers have gained popularity due to their many advantages over concrete.
The four essential things to consider before selecting a pavement material are stated below, along with how each material compares. After reading this article, you ought to be equipped with the knowledge necessary to choose the correct content.
Slip resistance/Slip coefficient for pool deck
When you are choosing the best material for your pool deck, safety should be your top priority. Pools, like any body of water, have inherent dangers that must be considered. It is therefore critical to select the option with the highest slip coefficient. Let’s compare the two most common pool deck solutions of concrete and pool deck pavers, often paving stones.
Paving stones are denser and more porous than concrete by design. Making paving stones often involves mixing sand, water, cement, and color pigment before putting the material into a mold.
Because of this, pool deck pavers have a surface that is more complex at the molecular level than conventional concrete, which makes them a great source of traction. Paving stones provide additional slip resistance when laid in an interlocking pattern and have a smaller surface area than concrete slabs.
Concrete presents a significant risk and is less porous and slip-resistant. Concrete begins to deteriorate after just one use. In high traffic regions, the surface becomes increasingly worn due to use, creating slick places. This presents a significant sliding risk to both children and adults.
Pool deck aesthetics
Pool deck pavers are not only the more secure option, but they are also the most versatile pool deck material. Paving stones may complement every design style, from rustic to ultra-modern, due to the countless variants. It may be made to resemble natural stone or in larger stones to complement a more streamlined style. Pavers are available in a variety of hues and can be coordinated with the design of your house. You can also combine various shapes, colors, and stones to make elaborate patterns in your design to further personalize it.
Contrarily, there aren’t many customization possibilities for concrete. Concrete is unattractive once it breaks which is usually only a matter of time until it does. Because wet concrete shows cracks much more clearly, this area surrounding your pool will become more of an eyesore than a focal point when gathering around it. Pool deck pavers are the best buddy of the designer compared to their concrete sibling.
Durability
The strength of the materials used for pool decks is crucial to their long-term endurance. Pool deck pavers, stronger than concrete, can withstand the pressure of roughly 8,000 PSI (or pounds per square inch), as opposed to concrete’s capacity of about 3,500 PSI. If you intend to install substantial patio furniture, prefabricated outdoor kitchens, or host visitors on your pool deck, this will make a noticeable impact.
Concrete and pavers go through a curing phase, a period during which the materials must achieve their strongest state. Paving stones have one advantage, though, in that their curing is carried out in a temperature-controlled workshop where they undergo several safety checks.
Contrarily, concrete is poured in your backyard and allowed to cure before being exposed to the elements.Slabs made of concrete can also be highly fickle. They are not only prone to cracking due to incorrect weight distribution; they are also temperature sensitive and can crack due to large temperature changes. If your concrete deck begins to break, it may become a trip risk and cause drainage problems. Ground movement can also cause concrete to crack.
Pool deck pavers upkeep
Before beginning your project, it’s crucial to consider how you’ll maintain your investment’s outstanding appearance year-round and which materials will make it easy. Paving stones require very little maintenance, particularly if they are sealed after installation. A protective coating called paver sealer is sprayed on to make the stones resistant to stains, preserve their color, and prevent the joint sand from transferring.
This implies that your paving stone pool deck remains safeguarded and stain-free whether you spill a glass of red wine, the kids drop their ice cream or everything in between. If God forbid, a stain does appear on your pool deck pavers, all that needs to be done is replace the damaged stone or stones without having to replace the entire deck.
If you choose the concrete counterpart, the same cannot be said. The cost of repairing concrete is a barrier. A crack or stain over two inches cannot be fixed; the entire slab may need to be changed. Despite having a modest initial cost, concrete turns out to be more expensive in the long run.
Despite costing a little more per square foot to build than concrete, pool deck pavers can save you hundreds of dollars in upkeep costs.
Pool deck pavers offer a significantly higher return on investment than conventional concrete. Paving stones can be customized to meet your needs, whether you’re searching for a material that can mimic genuine stone, a traditional style, or something ultra-modern.
Constructing a new pool deck or renovating an old one both cost a lot of money. Paving stones are not only the option that is most aesthetically beautiful, but they are also the option that is safest and most long-lasting. Standard Brick Pavers has erected thousands of pool decks using high-quality paving stones. We take pride in acting in the homeowner’s best interests and staying within their budget. Pool deck pavers are the obvious choice if you ask us.