May 2012
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5 Tips for Planning the Season’s First Pool Party
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It’s Pool Season, But Don’t Forget about Your Hot Tub
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Pool Safety: 7 Essential Tips
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Pool Workouts: Start Slow, Stay Strong
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There aren’t many things that can make a fun-filled day around your aboveground pool better—but a beautiful deck is one of them. An aboveground pool deck is a perfect addition to your backyard, and it makes your pool more accessible to bathers.
The good news is adding a deck doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you want to enhance the surrounding landscape or just add a little extra space for grilling, there are many design options that can accommodate your needs.
Here’s what you should consider before starting the design process:
Merge design with surroundings
To select a design that blends seamlessly with your landscaping, start by considering the outdoor features you need to build around. Typically, an aboveground pool deck is elevated and level with the top of the pool, mirroring the pool’s outline, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative. Try wrapping the edge along a flowerbed or creating a landscaped walkway leading to the deck.
A freestanding deck is relatively easy to build and can either surround the pool or be attached to it. In a more spacious yard, you can build a deck that encircles the entire perimeter of the pool and is accessible by a set of stairs. But these tend to be a little more labor intensive and costly. If you’re short on space and finances, a smaller side deck that attaches to part of the pool’s perimeter will still provide accessibility and a small area for relaxing poolside.
Another space-saving option is attaching a deck to the exterior of the house. This will allow people to access the pool deck from a patio door or stairs. These decks are often more complicated to install, however, because they rely on your home for support. Consult a licensed contractor before attaching anything to your home so you’re aware of all of the construction considerations the project will entail.
Select attractive yet sturdy materials
Wood materials lend themselves well to aboveground pool decks because they’re lighter. When choosing posts, lumber and planking, look for materials that will weather well under constant water exposure. Cedar, redwood or pressure-treated lumber tend to last longer than wood-plastic composites. Plus, they won’t warp or shrink over time.
For safety, always install a rail around the edge of your deck. This is relatively easy if you use pre-assembled railing sections. If your railing is custom built, space the bottom rail and balustrade members closely enough to prevent children’s heads from becoming lodged, falls and other injuries.
Choose a practical design
You want your deck to be beautiful, but you should also choose a design that makes sense from a practical standpoint. If you’re a sunbather, take into account the path of the sun and note which areas of the yard are in shade at different times of the day. For people who plan to entertain or dine on the deck, choose a design that incorporates different levels to accommodate a grill or furniture. The deck also must be wide enough that one person can comfortably stand near the pool.
There are different construction options to choose from, as well. A floating foundation, which uses aboveground concrete footings, can be placed on top of the soil, eliminating the need to dig holes and pour cement. But a larger, heavier deck requires a little more support. You might need to hire a contractor to install traditional, in-ground concrete footings. It’s a good idea to put galvanized steel standoffs into the footings instead of embedding the support timbers directly into the concrete. This technique will extend the life of the timbers by reducing decay potential.
Helpful deck design tips
Despite the wide variety of design options, aboveground pool decks share some commonalities. Before breaking ground, consider these helpful reminders:
- When building a deck, think safety first. Make certain the access stairs can be raised and locked so small children are not able to climb onto the deck unsupervised.
- If constructing a deck that will be attached to your home, incorporate a childproof locking gate into the plan.
- Never allow small children on any swimming pool deck without a responsible person in attendance.
- Decide if you want to enclose the bottom of the deck—for example, with pre-made fence panels—or leave it open.
- The deck frame should be constructed slightly lower than the pool. The deck boards will make up the remaining distance.
- To allow for a liner change, you may need to construct your deck so it doesn’t extend over the pool’s edge.
- Before getting started, call your building code enforcement agency to be sure you’re following all of your local requirements and have the necessary permits.
