Why Do You Need a Pool Deck?
Adding a deck to your above-ground pool is a project that you can enjoy year after year. A pool deck:
- Gives your above-ground pool a more built-in look
- Makes getting in and out of the pool easier
- Prevents mud, grass, leaves and other debris from getting into the pool
- Prevents the area around the pool from becoming muddy
- Gives you a better view of people playing in the pool
- Creates a great place to sunbathe, lounge and relax
Planning Your Pool Deck
Building a pool deck for an above-ground pool is a big do-it-yourself (DIY) project. To build one, you’ll need some advanced DIY skills and a good selection of tools. Depending on the complexity of the structure and the amount of time you can devote to the work each day, the project can take between a few days to a couple of weeks, so plan accordingly. Of course, before beginning work or even purchasing materials, there’s some prep work you need to do.
- Check with your homeowners association (HOA) and your local building department for any requirements, restrictions, permits, inspections, etc., that apply to your project. For example, your HOA may need to approve the design, and a building permit and inspections may be necessary, which could affect your timing. There may be specifications you’ll need to follow on deck posts and footings, railings, stairs, fencing around the pool and more.
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Call 811 to have underground utilities marked before setting up your pool and beginning any digging. Utility locations will affect the location for your pool deck.
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Plan the size, design and shape of your deck. Make sure there’s space for safely getting in and out of the water and walking around the pool. Also establish that you’ll have ample room for outdoor furniture, décor items, container plants, etc. Pools usually require a fence, so make sure your deck plans factor that in. Note that building a deck for a rectangular pool will be easier than building a deck that wraps around a circular or oval pool. Use our Deck Designer for deck ideas and design templates or to create your own custom above-ground pool deck design.
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Decide on the materials you’ll use for the deck. We’ll explain the options below.
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Plan on installing the pool before beginning the deck. You’ll need the pool in place to establish the deck height and to set the posts correctly. If your deck will encircle or partially encircle a round or oval pool, you’ll also need the pool in place to make sure the decking boards are cut to fit correctly. Finally, you’ll want to have the pump and filter in place so you can ensure your deck won’t block maintenance access.
Still trying to decide on the perfect above-ground pool? See the options with our pool guide.
Material Options
As with all decks, a deck for an above-ground pool will need to be resistant to weather, insects, mildew and rot. And of course, it’ll need to be able to withstand a lot of water exposure. Pool chemicals add another consideration. Decks made with pressure-treated wood or of composite decking — an engineered material made of wood fiber and plastic — are the most common options. Both have the features you need in a pool deck, but each has unique benefits.
Benefits of a Pressure-Treated Wood Pool Deck
Wood decking:
- Offers the natural beauty of wood
- Is often less expensive than a composite option
- Is stainable or paintable in a color that blends in with or complements your home and landscape
- Will generally be cooler than composite decking in direct sun
Benefits of a Composite Pool Deck
Composite decking:
- Is available in a variety of colors (a light color is cooler to the touch than dark colors)
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Doesn’t require staining and sealing
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Works with hidden fasteners for a very clean look
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Doesn’t splinter or warp
- Is stain-resistant
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Requires less expense and effort to maintain than pressure treated wood
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Usually lasts longer than pressure treated wood
Even if you use composite decking, the structure of the deck will be made from pressure treated lumber. Whichever option you choose, you’ll need fasteners designed for the material.
Cedar and redwood are other wood options for decking, depending on regional availability. These woods naturally resist the weather, insects and rot, but still require care and maintenance.
Pool Deck Building Tips
We’ll give you some tips to consider for building a pool deck below, but take a look at our deck project page for an idea of the work involved. Also check out our how-to projects that tell you the tools required and provide step-by-step instructions for building a wood or composite deck attached to a house or a standalone floating deck.
- Align the edge of your deck with the lip of the pool. It’s a good idea to make sure the boards will run just below the coping or top rails of the pool. Plan the deck height with the size of the posts accordingly, taking the thickness of both the pool coping and the decking board into account. A little planning here will make pool liner changes or repairs much easier in the future.
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Check your local building codes for specifics on the gap between the deck and pool coping and requirements for slope, anti-slip measures, railing and gate specifications, the extra bracing you’ll need for the frame, etc.
- Depending on local codes, you may need to set the deck posts in concrete or attach them to brackets anchored in concrete footings. You may also be able to use deck blocks, which can simplify the project.
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To fit the decking boards around a circular or oval pool, you can trim the ends of the boards to the curve of the pool. Or you can use a more complex design where you cut them at angles lengthwise so they fan out from the pool in a radial pattern.
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There are a couple of options for creating a landing for your deck stairs. You can pour a concrete pad or create concrete footers that’ll provide anchor points for the stairs.
Staining and Sealing or Painting
If you’re using composite decking, you won’t need to stain and seal the deck boards, but you’ll need to apply stain and sealer to the wood frame. For a wood deck, you’ll need to stain and seal the entire structure. Make sure the treated lumber components are dry. They’ll be too wet for stain and sealer initially. Plan on waiting anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to give the lumber time to dry.
Staining
Here are some factors to think about when selecting a stain and sealer:
- Penetrating stains that soak into the wood will be less prone to peeling than film-forming surface stains. Semisolid or solid stains withstand the sun’s ultraviolet rays better than more transparent stains but are more prone to wear and are more slippery when wet. See our exterior stain guide for details on your options.
- Many stains include a sealer, but if the one you have doesn’t, you’ll need to seal it after staining to protect against water damage. Both sealers and stain-and-sealer-in-one products protect the wood, but they also make the surface more slippery. Consider applying waterproof anti-slip tape, particularly around the areas where people will enter and exit the pool.
- While stains are available in many shades and colors, keep in mind that light stains will be cooler on your feet on a sunny summer day than dark stains.
Painting
You can paint your deck, but as with staining, there are some things to think about:
- Use a quality primer and look for an anti-skid paint for decking to reduce the danger of slipping and falls.
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As with stains, light paint colors will be cooler to the touch than dark colors.
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You may want to paint the deck railing with an exterior paint but stain the decking. This keeps the paint from being worn by foot traffic and can make the deck less slippery while adding a unique look to your pool deck.
Whether you use stain and sealer or paint, cover the pool before applying it to keep the finishing products out of the water.
Check the manufacturer’s information to confirm that your stain, sealer or paint products are suitable for your application. Follow the instructions for use and safety.
Maintenance
Your pool deck will require regular maintenance not just to keep it looking great but also for safety purposes. Remember to cover the pool before applying any cleaning or finishing products.
- Composite decks require the least maintenance. With this type of decking, you just need to sweep regularly to remove leaves, grass, twigs, etc. — anything that could cause a slip or fall — and scrub it as needed with soap and water. While not required, you can find stain that’s suitable for composite materials to help keep the decking looking its best.
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Sweep wood decks regularly to remove debris. You can handle some cleaning with soap, water and a deck brush, but in some cases, you’ll need to use a deck cleaner and a pressure washer. Keep in mind that paint can be a bit easier to clean than stain.
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If you have a wood deck, you’ll also need to sand, refinish and reseal it every three to five years to keep it looking good and to keep the wood protected. Get instructions with our deck cleaning and sealing how-to guide. Depending on the stain you used, you may need to strip it away before applying a new stain.
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With any type of deck, you’ll need to inspect the structure regularly for damage.
Want some ideas for personalizing and customizing your pool deck? See our guide to upgrading a deck.