Residential Pool Decks
The type of material you choose for a pool deck depends on a multitude of factors. Some things to consider include complementing your surrounding landscaping, space availability, people traffic, budget, and care and upkeep. Concrete is the one unique material that is most flexible to meet all of your demands. More than any other materials, concrete's durability and versatility make it a top choice amongst builders.
Decorative concrete is one of the most popular ways to enhance the look and durability of your pool deck. Your choices for colors, patterns and textures are nearly limitless which means you can create your own personal and unique outdoor environment. Here are four of the most popular options using decorative concrete for your pool decking solutions.
Stamped Concrete Pool Decks
A patterned or imprinted concrete pool deck is much more appealing than a plain, broom-finished pool deck. There are many options of patterns and colors, designing a pool deck can be an exciting experience. Stamped concrete decks are also more economical than some of the pricier materials they mimic. For these reasons, stamped concrete has become an extremely popular surface.
Patterns come in a wide variety and can simulate and can mimic brick, slate or flagstone. You can also select specialized patterns with botanical or marine motifs. Pool deck borders can be stamped with the texture of fern fronds or seashells.
You can also select colors to blend with your surrounding landscaping. Just simply adding an earth-tone color to your pool deck can enhance your entire pool area environment.
Stenciled Concrete Pool Decks
Stencil options are a great alternative to stamped concrete. Stenciling uses paper stencils to outline brick or stone patterns into fresh concrete. The look of mortared bricks can be achieved by masking off the concrete surface and coloring the fields. Upon removal of the stencil, realistic-looking "grout or mortar" joints are left in the slab.
Stenciling provides an economical way to achieve the look of other materials at a fraction of the cost. Plus, concrete offers the durability to withstand the elements unlike many of the materials it mimics. Use stencils to create the look of bricks, stone, slate, or even tile.
Exposed Aggregate Pool Decks
The pebble-like finish of an exposed aggregate pool deck can create dramatic-looking results. Exposing the aggregate in concrete can enhance and complement the textures surrounding your pool. Using stones in contrasting colors or combining areas of smooth and exposed aggregate finishes are just two of the ways you can achieve spectacular effects. This finish is also slip-resistant, an optimal consideration for a pool deck surface.
Colored Concrete Pool Decks
You can make your pool deck more unique simply by adding color! A colored concrete pool deck can add so much appeal, and can make your deck blend more harmoniously with its surroundings. Used in conjunction with stamped or stenciled concrete, coloring concrete allows you to recreate the natural look of stone or any other material.
Chemical stains, integral color and dry-shake hardeners are the three most common methods for coloring concrete. Your pool deck can be colored with just one of these methods or can be a combination of methods and color hues. Because of the wide range of colors that can be mixed, you can choose a hue that complements your home's façade or surrounding landscaping.
Color choices can also affect your pool deck surface. Keep in mind that darker colors will absorb heat from the sun and could make your surface uncomfortable for walking barefoot in hot climates. Coloring your deck in a beige or pastel tone can help keep your pool deck surface cooler because of their sun-reflective qualities.
Flooring, Driveway & Walkways
There are many concrete solutions in this category including stamped concrete, stained concrete, polished concrete, concrete overlays that can achieve virtually any look and feel you desire. Here are some of the solutions concrete can achieve.
Polished Concrete is fast becoming one of the ultimate no-wax flooring materials available. Thanks to recent advances in techniques and polishing equipment, contractors are now able to grind concrete floor surfaces new and old to a high-gloss finish that never needs waxing or other protective coatings.
Concrete polishing offers superior durability and performance when compared to other surfaces and is becoming the favorite for retail, warehouse, and office facilities are opting for polished concrete flooring as an alternative to marble, granite, tile, linoleum, or coated concrete. Even homeowners are catching on to the appeal of these smooth, high-luster floors, which can be stained to replicate the look of polished stone.
Stained Concrete is also one of the most popular applications for transforming concrete slabs into works of art. Often referred to as colored concrete, homeowners, designers and builders alike are attracted to stained concrete because of the unique ability to combine colors to achieve a unique look. There is no limit to the creativity of concrete staining other than the designer's ability to be creative.
Concrete Overlay can permanently cover up surface imperfections in existing concrete? Or turn a plain slab of concrete into a work of art. With today's decorative overlay technology it's easy to give almost any concrete surface, indoors or out, a complete face-lift and at a substantially lower cost than removal and replacement of the existing surface. There are thousands of options available for achieving virtually any look imaginable with a concrete overlay system.
Impressive Concrete will give you pointers and assist you on how to choose the best application for your project. With the many options available, you're sure to find at least one solution that meets and your requirements of durability, appearance, maintenance, and cost.
Stamped Concrete, commonly referred to as patterned concrete or imprinted concrete, is concrete that is designed to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile and even wood. Impressive Concrete can use stamped concrete to beautify pool decks, driveways, entry ways, courtyards, and patios.
Due to the wide array of options of patterns, colors, and the cost of stamped, or imprinted concrete in relation to the materials it is a substitute for, the choice of stamped concrete is becoming more popular and frequently used.
