What’s Hot in Pool Decking

(Photo by Nat Kay Photography)

AN ABOVE-GROUND pool deck built by Simcoe Decks in Oro, Ontario, Canada, features Deckorators’ Voyage decking in Costa (main color), Sierra, Khaya and Dark Slate. It was built with 3.5", 5.5" and 7.25" boards.

Contractors share their knowledge on building poolside decks

By Sara Graves

We recently asked several leading

builders to share how they construct their decks near pools and spas. They discussed everything from foundations to soil bearing capacity to butting a deck against the pool. Here is what they had to say.

Foundation considerations

such as clay, expand during a deep freeze. This expansion causes the grade of the soil to rise relative to a superstructure that is unaffected by frost. The amount of the rise is dependent on the depth of the freeze and the amount of moisture in the soil. If the soil grade rises too high, a pool deck is prone to damage from the upheaval.

Therefore, some northern builders, including Michael Scott, owner of Simcoe Decks, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, prefer to build their pool

decks upon helical foundations that can reach a depth with stable soil. In doing so, they avoid the heaving and settling associated with the freeze and thaw cycles that are indicative of their region, where temperatures can swing dramatically from January to July (-26F to 94F).

For contractors building a pool deck attached to a house or other superstructure including a second-story walkout deck, a deep frost footing is the recommended solution, adds Bergman.

In fact, Bergman uses the Deck Foot Anchor, a non-frost footing designed for floating or free-standing decks usually 6 ft. or less above grade. However, he says, not every project will be suitable for a floating footing like this. “Each project and site location and characteristics should be carefully considered to determine what is the best solution for the intended function and use of the structure,” he says.

And depending on the extent to which a deck surrounds a pool, Bergman uses from six to 24 footings under the deck.

In addition, some contractors build freestanding structures so the pool and decking can move independently of each other.

For instance, John Lea, founder and CEO of Decksouth, Marietta, GA., says he leaves a 1/4" gap between the decking and hardscape pool patios to account for movement.

Brian White, a builder in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, adds a minimum gap of ¾" between the pool coping and the deck boards to ensure that if the pool or the deck ever moves, no damage to the pool will occur.

Soil bearing capacity

As with any footing system, Bergman says, it is important to remember that the load imposed on the soil via the footing system should not exceed the soil bearing capacity. “If this is respected, the structure should theoretically remain stable indefinitely.”

Simcoe’s Scott adds that it is important to make sure you are building on properly compacted and stable soil. He says this is overlooked in some newer subdivisions where the soil is not always properly backfilled around a house.

White takes the extra precautionary step of tamping the soil over the footing locations, which is not required unless it’s poor quality soil.

Decking materials near water

Builders must carefully select the decking material used for each pool deck. For instance, in the case of above-ground pool decks, the decking is subject to airflow from top and bottom, and tends to dry quickly, says Bergman.

In addition, some composite decking is specifically designed for marine applications. Consequently, it is particularly suitable for poolside applications because it is splinter free, and has embossed grain textures that provide increased traction in wet environments.

For example, MoistureShield composite decking is designed with an impermeable barrier that maintains its integrity after contact with water. It is created with CoolDeck technology that helps reduce deck heat up to 35%.

Lea, whose company has an in-house pool crew, uses MoistureShield because of its CoolDeck technology, solid core, and no callbacks.

For builders using composite decking, Bergman advises they consider using end-cut sealers because “water can wick through the end cuts of capped composite decking boards, which can lead to swelling and potentially void manufacturer’s warranties.”

Butting a deck against the pool

Another important consideration in pool decking is how to butt the deck against the pool.

Simcoe’s Scott says how this is done depends on the pool or water feature being used. If it’s an above-ground pool or a hot tub, he says he will typically build right up to the feature, but still have the foundation of the deck independent of the water feature. If it’s an in-ground pool, he

A POOL’S foundation is often built independent of the deck around it to prevent upheaval damage. (Photo by Richard Bergman)

typically finishes it with a concrete paver product because “getting the framing to finish flush with the pool can be a challenge, as we don’t have a lot of ground clearance.”

Bergman adds that it is never wise to fully encircle a hot tub spa with a deck. Instead, a better strategy is to butt a deck up against two adjacent sides of a hot tub. This gives a built-in look, but provides access for maintenance.

Considering the look and use of the space

And while considering the pool deck’s foundation and butting of the decking to the pool is essential, it is equally important that builders help their customers choose the right materials and design. In doing so, they will not only create a beautiful space, but can also build in easy and comfortable access to a pool or hot tub.

For example, Bergman says that the hardwood ipé is a popular choice when adding a pool deck to an outdoor living space because it “is known for its beauty, water resistance and durability.”

He adds that another aesthetically pleasing look for pool decking is thermally modified wood, such as aspen, alder and ash, that is heat-treated to remove all sugars that would otherwise provide food for bacteria or rot. He likes using thermally modified wood because “the grain lines are long and clean, and the boards can be left in a natural condition to age to a silvery-gray patina.”

Likewise, when Ottawa builder Kevin Scott was building an in-ground pool deck for a customer, he needed to marry concrete and wood together. Consequently, he felt that a combination of a concrete border butting up against a thermally treated deck in the same horizontal plane looked the best.

Scott also likes to play around with elevations when constructing a pool deck. He advises that builders consider making the surface flush with the pool where you enter and exit, or add a slightly elevated platform to lounge on to give the customer a better viewing angle of the action in the pool and the surrounding area.

He adds that customers will often want a hot tub flush with the deck surface; however, “having the hot tub extend vertically past the surface of the deck usually makes more sense for ease of in and out.

Creating easy access to the pool or spa is a top consideration for Lea since 90% of his customers in the Atlanta, GA., area have walkout basements. He prefers to use composite decking and pavers so his customers can comfortably walk from their house to the pool.

And while color selection is important for creating the right look, it also plays an important part role in how hot a pool deck gets.

Scott adds that the general rule of thumb is that the lighter the product color is the cooler it will get. And since the pool and hot tub surround are typically in an exposed area with no shade protection, it is important to tell the customer that the darker the material the hotter it may potentially get.

Ultimately, each pool decking project will be different, and so too will the decking and foundation used, but, as Simcoe’s Scott says, it’s important for the builder to “fully understand a client’s wants and needs to make sure you can deliver them the best final product.” DS

WATER-RESISTANT DECKING is essential for the deck’s longevity when building a deck that butts up to a pool or spa. (Photo by Nat Kay Photography) INFINITY POOL overlooking the water makes the deck feel larger and the entire outdor space feel limitless.