When choosing a deck surface, there are four considerations
- Cost
- Slip Resistance
- Temperature
- Appearance
For individual households, each of these have varied importance.
Pavers
Pavers are the cheapest option, provide great traction, and look beautiful, but are incredibly hot. If you spend anytime barefoot on your pool deck, they shouldn’t be a consideration. Artistic pavers however are a viable option. They are made out of white cement and have reflective elements making them 5 degrees cooler than Kool-deck on a hot 105 degree day.
Acrylic Lace
Acrylic lace is your traditional deck surface. It is much cooler than concrete, as only 40% of your foot is touching the surface at any given time. It is slip resistant and cost efficient. Even though it can be painted any color, its appearance is vanilla, and many people look for other options because of it.
Stamped Acrylic
Stamped acrylic concrete has many of the benefits of acrylic lace, but gives you a variety of options in appearance. It’s downfall is cost, as you will pay $2 more per foot for the extra labor.
Travertine
Travertine is a great option, and isn’t as expensive as people think. For just a few cents more than acrylic lace, you can get travertine pavers. They are a little more slippery, but look amazing. They are my personal favorite deck surface.
Marbella Stone
Marbella shellstone pavers are the coolest of all deck surfaces, provide great slip resistance because of their porous nature, and look gorgeous. Their downside? Price…
Compare relative temperatures below here:
