Fabulous Finishing

As the trend toward backyard "resorts" continues, imprinted concrete is a popular choice for pool decks. This gives a more natural "outdoorsy" look than plain, flat concrete. in addition, Wennersten points out. "A stamped texture makes voids for air underfoot so the concrete doesn't feel so hot."

Wennersten whose company, Progressive Concrete works, represents Bomanite, says that 75 percent of the pools his company installs use the three or four most popular stamps - Ashlar slate (about 50 percent), random slate, canyon stone and a sandstone or flagstone pattern He recommends that if the pool has 90-degree angles, a stamp pattern with 90-degree angles should be used and run parallel to the pool. If the pool is round or has lots of radii, he recommends a random stone pattern. Another technique for a large deck is to use an embossing skin and a saw-cut grid pattern, separating the deck into smaller areas and incorporating control joints.

Scofield says that most contractors will use embossing skins if they have a say in the choice of pattern "They drain better because the impression is shallower," he says. "They are easier to use, which correlates to fewer application problems for the contractor Personally, I would stay away from deep grout joints in a pattern. They trap dirt and are more difficult to keep clean. I also feel they can cause more of a trip hazard than a slip hazard. My 4-year-old daughter has fairly small toes. They could easily get caught in a deep joint and cause her to fall."

Chris McMahon points out that it an embossing skin is used, "You've got to saw cut it or else explain that the deck will crack. We actually sell a lot of cracked earth pattern decks if the customer is comfortable with a certain level of cracking. Thorne says, Joint placement is critical in the control of cracking. Control joints should he cut 25 percent of the thickness of the slab and all joints must be sealed with a joint sealant that is capable of withstanding 3 parts per million of chlorine in a pool deck application."

 

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