How to paint a pool deck? All you need to know [Expert Guide]

In the following article, you will find everything you need to know about pool deck painting and pool deck restoration.

Is painting a pool deck a good idea?

Sure! Painting your pool deck is a good idea. Some of the benefits and advantages of painting your pool deck are the following:

Prevents moisture absorption: Keeping your pool deck in good condition and preventing the growth of algae and fungi, which can make the deck slippery and hazardous.

Protects the pool deck from environmental factors and chemical attacks: Environmental factors, such as UV solar radiation and chemical substances (saltwater or chlorine) deteriorate your pool deck. Appropriate pool deck paints will protect it from those agents' degrading actions, extending its lifespan.

Improves the aesthetics: With many color options, a pool deck painting will rejuvenate the look and feel of your outdoor space.

Enhances safety: Special textured pool deck paints will increase safety, preventing slip-and-fall accidents.

Adds value to your property: Painting your pool deck increases the curb appeal and adds market value to your property, which is very useful if you want to sell it.

Little maintenance: A painted pool deck is very easy to maintain. You only need water, soap and a brush.

Increases comfort: By using special paints, which have good thermal and reflecting properties, make your pool deck a more comfortable area to stay and walk barefoot.

What kind of paint do you use on a pool deck?

If you are in Florida, you will need paints designed to withstand the particular environmental conditions of the State, which include high solar radiation exposure and humidity levels all around the year. Some features the pool deck paint must have are:

Anti-slip properties: Some pool deck paints provide a textured finish to enhance the safety of the pool area.

UV resistance: Good pool deck paints will exhibit a high UV resistance.

Chemical resistance: Pool deck paints must withstand the aggressive action of many chemical substances such as saltwater, chlorine, and cleaning products, among others.

Biological agents resistance: Pool decks are warm and wet environments, thus, good pool deck paints must avoid or retard the algae, mold and mildew growth, both for aesthetic and health reasons.

Colors: Good pool deck paint brands will offer you a lot of elegant and cheerful colors to decorate your leisure area. Pool Paint Screen LLC recommends you to choose light colors, which reflect more solar radiation keeping your pool deck cooler and more comfortable.

Good pool deck paint, with high-quality paints, should last from 5 up to 1o years. However, these are reference values that can vary depending on the pool deck usage, environmental conditions, chemicals and biological actions, among other factors.

How do you prepare a pool deck for painting?

Pool Paint Screen LLC recommends the following steps to prepare your pool deck for painting:

Clean the surface: Use a pressure washer to remove dirt, mildew, and algae, ensuring the surface is totally clean before painting it.

Identify surface imperfections: such as cracks, chips, or previous paint failures.

Repair Minor Damages: Use a high-quality concrete filler product to fill cracks and small holes until you obtain a smooth, flat surface.

Prime the surface: If it is necessary, apply a high-quality primer to the pool deck surface. If you are not sure if you need to prime it, just ask us!

After these simple steps, you are ready to paint your pool deck.

Do I need to prime my pool deck before painting?

If you are the owner of a property with a concrete pool deck you likely need to prime your pool deck before painting. Some paints include the primer in their formulae. Others don’t, and you have to buy and apply the primer before painting.

You should ask your paint supplier (i.e., Home Depot) to make sure you are buying the product that fits best your needs and preferences.

If you don’t prime the pool deck before painting it, the paint coat will not adhere properly to the concrete surface, which will result in a low-quality finish. With time, the pool deck can exhibit bonding issues, flaking and peeling.

The best recommendation, whether you DIY or hire a professional painter, is to prime your pool deck before painting it. This will reward you with a high-quality, long-lasting pool deck painting and also will save you money in the long run.

How much area will 5 gallons of paint cover?

One gallon of paint usually covers, on average, from 300 to 400 square feet of pool deck one-coat application, depending on the formula, deck material, and condition. Thus, 5 gallons should cover around 1,500 to 2,000 square feet of pool deck with one-coat application.

However, take into account that most pool decks require at least two coats of paint, so you will need at least 10 gallons of paint to cover 1,500 up to 2,000 sq.ft. pool decks.

If you want to repaint a dark-tone pool deck with a lighter color, then you will need more than two coats of paint. You must be aware of this when you calculate your budget. In such cases, the best recommendation is to ask for a free estimate from a good pool painting company.

What is the most popular color for a pool deck?

When it comes to popular colors for pool decks, there are different aesthetic trends. Among them:

Whites and Off-Whites: White shades, off-whites, beiges and pastel colors are very popular for pool decks. They also reflect a lot of sun radiation, keeping your pool deck and surrounding space cooler and more comfortable.

Blues, greens and grays: These are very popular colors for pool decks, which resemble the natural color of sea and lake waters, as well as fresh plants and forests.

Tans and browns: Other popular colors for your pool deck, if you want to replicate the color of earth, sand, woods or precious metals, such as gold and bronze.

Color Mixtures: You can use different colors to create unique artistic drawings and chromatic patterns.

Bold colors: If you want to create a contrast between the house body color and the pool deck color you can use brighter colors. Just make sure to match the appropriate colors to ensure an aesthetic appeal.

How do you paint a pool deck in Florida?

To paint a pool deck in Florida you must follow the following steps, provided you have done all the previous prep work required (which include cleaning the pool deck, identifying and repairing any surface imperfection, and priming the surface if necessary):

Select the color: Choose the color, or color combination, of your preference. Make sure to buy only high-quality paint and paint products.

Protect the area: You must protect all the surfaces and objects that should not be painted with appropriate tapes, masks and clothes. Remove all tables, chairs and any other furniture from the painting zone until the job is done.

Apply the paint: Cover the surface of the pool deck with at least two coats of paint. For extra water-proof protection, long-lasting finishing or changes from dark colors to lighter ones, you will likely need to apply more than two coats of paint.

Pay attention to details: Edges and hard-to-reach areas must receive careful attention with a brush to ensure a complete and uniform application.

Clean up: After the painting is complete, you have to remove all tape and protective coverings and conduct a cleanup of the area as well as the painting materials (paint brushes, rollers, paint trays, etc.)

After the job is completed, you can start to enjoy your revamped pool deck!