The Pros & Cons of a Stamped Concrete Pool Deck

Stamped Concrete

• Stamped concrete for a pool's deck area is simply concrete that's stamped and patterned to resemble many other surfaces. Typical stamped concrete looks include flagstone, slate, brick, tile and even wood. Like its sibling, traditional poured concrete, stamped concrete isn't as expensive as other types of pool deck materials such as pavers. With improvements in concrete coloring, stamped concrete can also take on whatever color a pool owner would like for her deck.

Advantages

• Stamped concrete, which is poured just like traditional concrete and then patterned and shaped, costs from $5 to $20 per square foot, installed, at the time of publication. Stamped concrete, in fact, is comparable in cost to concrete pool pavers, when concrete paver installation costs are included. Brick and natural stone pavers cost about twice as much per square foot as stamped concrete. Stamped concrete can also be installed faster than pool pavers. Lastly, stamped concrete is at least as durable as traditional poured concrete.

Disadvantages

• In comparison to traditional poured concrete, stamped concrete is much more expensive. The price for poured concrete at time of publication was less than $5 per square yard or about .55 per square foot. Stamped concrete also isn't as durable or as color-fast as pavers. In addition, stamped concrete for pool areas will fade and stain if it isn't sealed and then cleaned regularly. Unfortunately, failing to keep up regular maintenance of stamped concrete will also lead it to develop cracks over time.

Considerations

• Poured or stamped concrete's relatively low acquisition costs make it ideal for pool owners on a budget. Plus, as long as you install and maintain stamped concrete properly it won't fade out or stain. However, stamped concrete carries higher long term maintenance costs for periodic sealing, patching and other maintenance and repair-type activities, especially in comparison to pavers. Lastly, you'll have to ensure stamped concrete around a pool has a non-slip finish, which is normally an added cost.