Your backyard pool should be your oasis and should also fit your aesthetic to a tee. One way to ensure that your pool patio makes the statement you want is with decorative concrete. As a versatile and durable product, decorative concrete can be designed to fit your style, but it will also last and look good for years to come. Let’s dig into all there is to know about decorative concrete and see how it can transform your pool patio into the oasis you deserve.
Concrete is one of the best materials for pool decks and if you are ready for a pool deck renovation, it is a material you will want to consider.
Concrete is made from a mixture of cement, sand, aggregate rock, and water. It has been used as a building material for centuries, and for good reason. It starts as a liquid, but as it dries, it hardens into a rock-like substance with a high compressive strength, which means it resists breaking under pressure. It also has good tensile strength, which is resistance to breaking when pulled, although its compressive strength is higher. All and all, it is a durable product that will most likely outlast your home ownership.
Since concrete starts as a liquid it can be molded into a wide variety of shapes. There are also a range of techniques that can be applied to concrete that offer aesthetic options for your pool patio. From texture finishes, patterns, and a wide-range of pool deck color options and surface coatings, you are sure to find the poolside concrete features that fit your style.
Concrete also offers safety features that make it an ideal poolside material. It is naturally slip-resistant and does not become slick when wet, which is definitely an advantage for a pool patio, especially if you have children.
When it comes to pool deck maintenance, concrete also ranks high as a low cost, low maintenance material. With regular cleaning and following a few simple tips, concrete will continue to look good for years.
Read More: Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget
When it comes to decorative concrete there are many different types to choose from and many different pool deck design ideas that can be achieved.
A stamped concrete pool deck offers up a unique and pleasing aesthetic for your backyard pool. Stamp techniques are used when the concrete is still wet so the design is permanently embossed, hardening into place as it dries. It is an inexpensive method for achieving the look and texture you want.
There is a wide-array of stamped concrete patterns that can mimic anything from natural stone or brick to slate or cobblestone, and even wood. Some of the most popular stamped concrete designs include:
Another technique that will add color and style to your decorative concrete pool patio is staining. It is a process that takes about two days, but should only be applied to fully cured concrete. There are two basic types of stain: acid-based and water-based.
Acid stains generally add richer, more earthy tones in variegated patterns to your concrete while water-based stains offer a wider variety of color choices. Water-based stains are also safer and more user-friendly than acid stains. Both methods require adding a coat of protective sealer.
An acid-stained concrete pool deck can last between 20 to 30 years, depending on weather conditions, care, and quality. On average you can expect an acid stain to last longer than a water-based stain, which has an average lifespan closer to 10 to 15 years.
There are many different pool deck color options available for concrete and there are custom colors available too, which also proves the versatility of concrete as a decorative material.
As mentioned, concrete is made up of aggregate stone, including granite, basalt, quartz, limestone, gravel or crushed stone, sand, glass and even seashells. Exposed aggregate concrete is achieved by removing the top layer of dried concrete through grinding, sandblasting, or acid etching. This leaves the concrete’s coarse aggregate stone exposed, achieving a varied surface. This surface needs to be treated and sealed, but produces a durable, non-slip texture that is especially good in areas that receive heavy foot traffic.
It is easy to see the versatility in style and aesthetics that can be achieved with decorative concrete. It also has some specific benefits as a material for pool areas.
Concrete has a high albedo, or solar reflectivity, rate, which makes it a material whose surface temperature does not get as hot as other similar materials. This can be especially beneficial for a pool deck or patio.
To create an oasis with your backyard pool, you want to integrate your pool patio with the surrounding landscape. It is important to establish a clear barrier between your pool and lawn, yet also achieve a seamless design between the two. The versatility and customized design options available with decorative concrete can make this integration easier.
The durability and longevity of concrete coupled with its ability to create customizable design options that fit the style of your home means that it is a material that can also help boost your property values.
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Deck repair and maintenance is inevitable, but there are some simple tips that can be followed to make it easier.
Regular cleaning along with sealing offers pool deck surface protection. Routinely cleaning your concrete pool deck with a pressure washer will remove debris and dirt, which can damage or stain the surface. A concrete sealant will protect it from rust stains, water or chlorine damage, or weathering.
Concrete needs to be resealed about every two to five years as a part of routine maintenance.
Preventing your concrete pool deck from cracking starts with installation. A properly installed pool deck will be much less likely to crack, although shifting ground around your pool can cause cracks to form. Cracks can be repaired with a patching compound or filler and then re-sealed. If crack repair is not successful and cracks continue to spread, pool deck resurfacing may be necessary.
Read More: Do Fiberglass Pools Crack Over Time?
Concrete can stain or become discolored due to rust from metal furniture, weathering, or dirt build-up. Stains can be treated with a basic bleach solution, muriatic acid, specially formulated concrete cleaners, or professionally applied stain treatments. If the staining is resistant to treatment, your pool deck may need to be resurfaced.
Your decorative concrete contractor can provide you with more information and resources on how to care for your decorative concrete pool deck and keep it looking good for years to come.
Besides pool deck and landscaping options, decorative concrete can offer a variety of other features to enhance your pool experience, truly transforming your pool patio into a backyard oasis.
Our landscaping services in Minneapolis can provide you with more ideas on how to enhance your pool experience.
Are you ready to transform your pool patio with decorative concrete? Contact Tracer Pool and Landscaping and take your backyard pool oasis to the next level.
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