How much does it cost to build a pool deck?

Rather than the wooden structure most people associate with the decks on their homes, a pool deck ¹ is a hardscaped perimeter around a pool. It may be made of wood but is more often made of concrete, tile, or stone. Pool decks provide a non-slip surface for walking and facilitate proper drainage for the area.

The average deck for a 12x24-foot in-ground pool made of concrete pavers costs around $7,000, including leveling ² and installation.

Pros and cons

If you have an in-ground pool, a pool deck is a necessity. It facilitates proper drainage and creates a non-skid surrounding area to make it safer to navigate. Pool decks around above ground pools are optional. Some people opt to have a pool deck at one end for sunbathing or storing belongings while others prefer to encase the entirety of their above ground pool.

Pool decks in any situation have positive and negative attributes. Pool decks provide a safe passage around the pool and enhance the appearance of the area. Pool decks can be very decorative or plain in design, and many contribute to the hardscape and landscape of the yard.

However, many pool deck materials require some maintenance. This may involve sealing or staining, which may require repair over time, particularly as the deck is exposed to chlorinated water and sun on a daily basis.

Materials

You have many options when it comes to the material for your pool deck. While above ground pools are more limited, in-ground pools can have a deck built out of many different options:

Types of pool

The type of pool you have will influence the type of deck or surround you install. Above ground pools may or may not have a deck, and when they do, it is more similar to the deck on a house than a hardscaping one around an in-ground pool. Choices are more limited and are confined to materials good for “stick building” like wood, modified wood, and composites.

In-ground pools have more options. You can still use a wood deck, but you have the option to use pavers and patio materials. You can also simply have a flat concrete slab ³. Many people opting to put in concrete pools often have the deck done in concrete as well because many companies offer a package that lowers costs. Fiberglass ⁴ pools are often installed with a concrete deck for a package price as well, but this is done less frequently.

Construction

The construction process of an above ground pool deck will be not unlike the process of building a deck on your home. In this case, concrete supports are used to hold the beams that the deck will be constructed from, then your preferred decking will be installed on top.

An in-ground pool deck is built differently. The ground around the pool must be graded to allow for proper drainage. This is usually done when the pool is installed but not always. Once the grading is complete, the installation depends on the material. Pavers, bricks, and stone install differently than wood or composites. Sometimes, aggregates may be added to the concrete to make it less slippery, but at other times, it will be left bare. The process may take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks depending on the size, material, and deck style.

Labor

Labor costs for a pool deck vary greatly depending on the type of deck being built and its size. In many cases, the work is priced by the job because there is a difference in grading, leveling, and installation for many types of pool decks that influence the basic costs.

It is not uncommon for installation costs to range from $1,000 for a simple deck that has already been graded to $12,000 for a deck with an elaborate pattern that needs a lot of hardscaping and leveling or grading before the actual material can be put in.

For a 12x24-foot in-ground pool deck with concrete pavers, the grading, leveling, and preparing of the deck costs around $2,500 on average. The material itself is around $2,000, and the installation is another $2,500, for a total installation cost of $7,000.

Maintenance

Every type of pool deck requires some degree of maintenance, but the level varies depending on the material you choose. At a minimum, it is important to keep your pool deck clean and clear of debris. If your pool deck has a tendency toward growing moss, peeling, chipping, or warping, you need to also inspect it regularly and clean or restain as necessary.

Some materials are more difficult to maintain than others. Pressure-treated wood requires regular scraping and staining, just a like a house or deck. Many types of natural stone require regular sealing to protect them from the chlorine ⁵ of the pool. Concrete may require patching over time if it develops cracks. Pavers of all kinds may need occasional replacement or repacking of joint materials. Your climate, how much use your pool gets, and how much sun or shade all play a role in how much maintenance your pool deck will ultimately need.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Artificial turf

If you do not like the idea of stepping from the pool onto a hard surface, you may wish to cover the deck with artificial turf. This is sold by the roll and costs around $50 per roll, which covers about 22 square feet.

Stairs

If you have an above ground pool, you may want to invest in stairs to reach your deck easily. Pool stair costs start around $400 for permanent steps.

Lighting

Some pool decks include lights that are flush with the deck, which illuminate the walkway, making the pool area safer at night. Each light costs around $50 to $60 each, while an electrician will charge around $65 to $85 to install.

Cool deck coating

If you have a concrete deck, you may want to invest in cool deck coating, which keeps the concrete cool to the touch, even on the hottest days. This costs around $200 on average.

Pool coping

Pool coping is a tile ledge that you install around the perimeter of the pool. It is frequently made of concrete, stone, or brick and gives the pool a nice, finished shape. It is not generally used on its own, meaning that the pool still requires a deck.

The pool coping and deck are designed to complement one another. Often, they are installed in coordinating materials or colors so that one simply fades into the other, giving you a seamless design. Coping costs around $40 to $50 per linear foot ².

Additional considerations and costs

• While no pool deck material can be considered safe to run on, for people with small children, adding aggregate to concrete can make it less slippery while composites and woods may offer a slightly softer landing for falls.
• Most pool pavers only require occasional sealing. Because each paver is installed separately, they are easier to replace than slabs of concrete if cracks occur.
• Weeds may grow between pavers, stone, and concrete tiles. This can be avoided by using a concrete slab ³.
• Dark materials, such as dark-colored wood or dark pavers, can absorb heat and make the pool deck very hot to the touch.
• Make sure that the material you choose is not overly coarse, uneven, or bumpy to help avoid trips and falls.
• Using a heat-reflective material can keep the surface of the deck cooler on hot days.
• If you have a pool with a liner, you may want to install anchors in the deck or leave access so that the liner can be changed or removed without cutting the deck.
• You do not need to use your pool builder to build the deck. While most are capable of installing a concrete or stone surround, you may get better or less expensive results by hiring a specialist.
• If you need to repair or change your pool, it is generally easier to change your deck at the same time for less money.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Pool deck: Decorative border or edging around a swimming pool, often including a fence

³ Concrete slab: A flat area of concrete that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as a patio or a driveway

⁴ Fiberglass: Plastic that is reinforced with glass fibers. The fibers may be mixed randomly throughout the plastic, or come in the form of a flat sheet, or be woven into a fabric