If you are thinking of building a contemporary or modern home today, including a pool in your backyard could improve the look of your exterior. Furthermore, a well-designed pool with a deck around it could also increase your property value, especially if you plan to use it as collateral some days.
Whether you have an inground or above-ground pool, building a deck around it would sound like a great deal. You can find a spacious resting space during summer when the weather is too hot. Furthermore, you can also consider installing attic insulation materials above your pool deck to provide a comfortable environment around your pool.
Some of us usually think that pool deck construction cost is high and don’t be fed with rumors. Here is everything you should know about how to build a pool deck.
How much does it cost to build a pool deck?
If you are looking for a general formula for calculating the overall cost of constructing a pool deck, you should reconsider your planning approach. Normally, there are several factors one should consider when estimating the cost of building a pool, whether it’s a DIY project or done through a pool deck construction company. So, start by considering the type and size of the pool deck you want to build, the slope, and the surrounding area.
Additionally, the cost can increase if you’re going to build a wall around your deck on one side or provide a private pool. A pool deck without a built-in bench may not look attractive, but all these come at a cost. Considering all these factors, you may end up spending approximately $3000 to $12000 on building an above-ground pool deck.
How hard is it to build a pool deck?
Is it hard to build a pool deck? Well, the answer to this question depends on the approach you take. Without proper tools and experience in building pool decks, you can hire professional building contractors to handle your project. That will make it even easier to build your pool deck; all you’ll need is to tell the contractor what you need, pay for labor fees and buy pool deck materials. Alternatively, you can Do-It-yourself with the simple to follow procedures below.
Measurement and preparation
First, begin by obtaining a permit from your local building department, and after getting a recommendation from the local inspector, make necessary preparations. It will include taking a measurement for your pool deck and designing a plan. After that, market the piers and posts around your pool (1ft apart from the exterior pole to the pool interior)
Post Installation
It would help if you made holes in the places, you had marked using a power auger or any other suitable tool. After preparing the concrete mix, Levelized the surface of all your posts before inserting them in the ground and applying the concrete. Give it time to dry before proceeding. By tomorrow, the concrete shall have dried, and the poles will be stable.
Frame building
When building a deck pool, constructing a reasonable frame is very important to install the exterior and interior deck supports with galvanized screws. After that, join two lumber pieces together with a nail to form a square you’ll put on top of our support posts. Finish by filling the square with joist but if you are building a pool deck higher than 30Inch, use diagonal braces.
Laying the decking
Cut the 1×6 posts and ensure they have square tops and bottoms. Two deck screws are ideal for each joist but remember to leave a space between the pool edge and the deck. If the boarding protrudes beyond the support posts, use a circular saw to trim them, then fasten the deck board tightly.
Install guard rails
You can buy a preassembled railing from your local hardware that you can set around your pool deck. Place them where the support posts and joists intercrosses and remember to leave an entry point. Attach the boards between your post with a deck screw and cut a 2×4 lumber based on the railing cap cup. Lastly, screw the 2×2 balusters to the deck floor. Finally, build a satire to your pool deck to enable easy access.
What is the best deck material to use around a pool?
Wood is the commonly used deck material today, but homeowners have other concrete, stone, and composite wood choices. However, each of these materials has its pros and cons, which you can consider when choosing the ideal material. Let’s look at some of the highly recommended materials for making pool decks.
Wood: Wood is highly utilized because of its low cost, easy maintenance, and various customization options. Furthermore, it provides a natural and appealing look around your pool. Moreover, they fit perfectly on irregular-shaped landscapes since they can stand off-ground. However, wood needs regular staining and sealing to avoid damage and color loss.
Composite Wood: Composite Wood materials are created from plastic-like synthetics, and they look exactly like wood. However, when you build a pool deck with composite wood, there will be no need for frequent maintenance. Additionally, they are available in various designs, colors, and shapes, but their only downside is that they are expensive compared to natural wood.
Concrete: the other suitable materials that can be used around a pool deck is concrete, and you can choose stamped or broom finished concrete pool deck. Building a concrete pool deck in areas that experience cold weather isn’t ideal as the cracking rate may be high over time.
How big should the gap be between a pool and a deck?
Before asking for the actual gap measurement, do you know when you should include it in the first place? A pool expansion joint is critical and keeps your deck and pool separate and independent. Furthermore, it allows these two structures to expand and contract freely without affecting each other.
As a result, your pool deck can withstand harsh weather conditions. Normally, it’s recommended to set the space between the deck and the pool at 3/4-Inch and be revised depending on local codes. Many homeowners think that a 3/4-inch gap is too broad and can trap your toe. Well, such incidents have never been reported.
But if you are worried, you can fill this gap with a caulk to allow pool deck materials to expand and contract evenly.
