Understanding Pool Deck Paint & Coating Options.

Maintaining Your Pool Deck Surface.

2016 may be the year when you’re thinking about maintenance on your pool deck.  If so, this Post can help you understand the options that you have when it comes to pool deck paints and pool deck coatings (there are differences).

I’ve been in coatings since 1997 and when it comes to a pool deck, the number one concern of the customer has been surface temperature.  Pool deck owners want a pool deck surface that won’t get hot in the sun.  Next, in no particular order, they want low- maintenance, good-looks, and long-term performance.   Read on, and you’ll learn about the products that let you check one or all of these boxes.

First, let’s talk about pool deck paint and dispel any idea that it’s the right way to go. Pool deck paint is nothing more than a traditional deck paint (hardened for foot traffic) with texture added for slip-resistance.  It costs the manufacturer about $8/gallon to make it.  They sell it for three times that.  On summer days, your deck gets hotter than Hades.  It lasts for three or four years and then you’re blasting it off and redoing it. Enough said about pool deck paint.  Don’t use it.  Look at other options and save yourself the grief that you’ll otherwise create for yourself.

After nearly 20 years in the business, here are my recommendations:

Cool Pool Deck Coating

Here are the top 10 reasons I love Cool:

1. It reduces heat buildup by up to 38% on concrete.
2. It can be tinted to ANY color under the sun – simply by adding a gallon of paint in your color choice to the 5 gallon bucket.
3. It is stronger than the concrete to which it is applied.
4. It can be applied to freshly poured concrete or concrete that’s 30 years old.
5. It can be applied faster than any other pool deck coating on the market.
6. It can be applied by the professional or the homeowner.  It’s super simple.
7. It’s ADA-compliant for slip-resistance – even when it’s wet.
8. It can be applied as a textured roll-on, or a knock-down finish.
9. It has a lifetime residential and a 10-year commercial warranty.
10. It is the only coating that can be applied over an existing coating (such as the ones below) that keeps the surface cool.

For transparency, it’s important that readers know that I manufacture this product so my company makes money when people buy it.  However, working to create the absolute best coating product(s) has been my life’s work for nearly 20 years.   Cool works as advertised and I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.  The reviews speak for the product.  If you want more information on Cool, here it is – click here.

The Original “Kool Deck”.

Kool Deck, a brand created in 1962, is the “Kleenex brand” of the pool deck coating industry.  Because of its knocked-down appearance, any cementitious coating that is applied to a pool deck and then knocked down is referred to as Kool Deck.  As a result, many contractors inadvertently tell their clients that they’re installing a Kool Deck finish, when in fact, they’re not – they’re installing something that only looks like Kool Deck.

Left:  A typical knock-down coating.

Is Kool Deck different from all of the other knock downs?  

It seems to be.  According to its manufacturer, Mortex, Kool Decks formula creates a surface that stays cooler than concrete.  I’ve talked to customers that agree with this point. It is a good product.

What are the limitations of Kool Deck?

There are several limitations that customers should be aware of when installing or maintaining Kool Deck.

1. Kool Deck is only available in a few colors.
2. Kool Deck is best when installed over freshly poured (inside of 28 days) concrete.  Consult with your pool professional when thinking of applying this product to existing concrete.
3. Kool Deck cannot be applied over existing finishes which must be completely removed.
4. If you want to give your Kool Deck a new look or freshen it up by coating it, Mortex says to use a product called Systex.  They also say that when you use Systex to coat your Kool Deck surface, that it will get hotter and slicker (Yes. They too, use bold letters to make this point).  Essentially, you trade your cooling properties for good looks.
5. It has no warranty.

For the life of me, how does the leader in the business, tell you that when it comes time to maintaining the look of your Kool Deck, you’re going to trade cooling properties for a fresh, clean look?  This is letdown.  A big letdown.  It’s the reason you chose Kool Deck! Well, have no fear.  You can apply Cool over Kool Deck and not compromise a thing.  Your Kool Deck surface will remain textured and cool on your feet!

Other Textured Knock-Down Coatings

There are numerous manufacturers of knock-down coatings.  In fact, you can’t tell one from the other.  Manufacturers recommend that fresh concrete be allowed to age for at least 28 days before applying.  The nice thing about textured knock-downs is that they cover up the “sins” on the concrete.  Cracks, variations, etc. in the concrete are disguised and covered by this textured finish.

What are the limitations of knock-down coatings?

The number one myth that needs to be debunked is that these finishes keep the deck surface cool.  Proponents of the myth say that the textured surface creates air pockets under bare feet and that keeps the surface cool enough to stand on.  I don’t know about you, but the bottoms of my bare feet contour to the surface on which they are on. They’d have to be as stiff as a 2″x4″ not to.  As a kid, growing up around pools, I can attest that these surfaces get just as hot as bare concrete.

Here are a few other limitations and concerns:

1. They are limited in color options.
2. Most of the time, the color is applied to the knock-down finish.  If it’s ever scratched, the white knock-down finish below is exposed.
3. Knock-down finishes are hard to keep clean.  The crevices of the coating harbor body oils, suntan oils, dirt, leaves, and grime.  How to clean a pool deck.
4. They don’t have warranties.

A Word of Advice.

Take a moment to make a checklist of the things that are important for your pool deck. Product characteristics such as coolness, safety,  good looks,  ease of maintenance & preservation, and warranty help differentiate your options and often expose the product that’s right for you.

Encore manufacturers every product that you need to install the perfect pool deck.

the cleaner that prepares your concrete

the pool deck coating

the sealer

a phenomenal cleaner that maintains a fresh, clean look.

The Encore website is full of useful information that helps homeowners make the perfect decision.  Our technical team is always here to help.  Call today – 888-776-2242 or visit encorecoatings.com.