In Arizona, it’s good to have cool decking around your pool, unless you know how to walk through hot, burning coals, but if your deck is not up to the task, maybe you should clear the decks and start over.
Most cool decking is plain vanilla beige, with what is called a lace texture pattern, which is made with an acrylic coating that doesn’t absorb heat as much as regular concrete. Innovative products now available, however, can transform your plain deck into a colorful outdoor space. You can even replace worn, cracked and chipped decking with cool-to-the-touch products, which mimic flagstone, tile, stone and pavers.
“If your old cool deck is cracked, chipped or in need of refinishing, we can apply a colorful topcoat of lace texture acrylic that comes in various shades of grays, browns, terracotta and sand,” said Chris Quam, owner of Arizona Pool Guy Inc. “Colors also can be mixed for a custom look. Cool deck finishes also can be made to look like flagstone, complete with faux seams and several shades of faux rock,” he further explained. “Finishes also can be troweled or stamped to resemble slate, tile or granite. You can use the finishes on existing deck and to extend your patio, sidewalk and deck areas.”
For a unique, luxury look, Chris suggests Marbella Shellstone, available in pavers, coping and tile in multiple sizes and patterns. “Marbella is a natural stone infused with ancient coral, colored shells and visual fossils,” he said. “It has a light sandy beige tone, which looks like travertine tiles, but is cool to the touch.”
The same material can be used for patios and decking, as well as transition areas between parts of the backyard, like sidewalks, entryways and play areas used by barefoot family members and guests.
“Refinishing your pool deck can be done right now without sacrificing too many swimming days,” Chris said. “If your deck is unsightly, or even dangerous, with toe-scraping cracks, we can come out and give you some decorative ideas and a free estimate of how to improve your entire pool area.”
For more information, call (480) 699-0607. Arizona Pool Guy Inc. is winner of the Best of Mesa 2014 Best Pool Company award.