Pool Deck

In preparation for summer days, and after five years with our stock tank pool, we wanted to create an easy spot to get in and out, a new place to lounge, and a better spot to roll the hard cover when the pool is open. Enter the pool deck!

This small extension off our main deck is a plan we've been working on for a while, from writing the plans and ordering the hardware last year to employing my surplus of footing blocks... we encountered a few issues, but nothing insurmountable!

The Railings

We encountered more than a few issues getting this little floating deck set up, none of them were quite as frustrating as finding the railings on our main deck had been installed without long enough lag bolts. Since the pool deck is a step down from the main deck, we decided to take out one railing and move it along side the new decking. But once one side was out, it was clear the adjacent attached side was depending on it for structural integrity.

So, we took out and replaced all the railings. I didn't want to use a composite system, as I'm adamant that natural materials wear better in our yard, so I went with a combination of wooden railing with aluminum spindles. The finish ties in well with the greenhouse, and the look opens up the yard in ways we hadn't considered. I got enough to line the main deck and the pool deck in the new material.  The new railing on the pool deck will do a couple things for us: give us a spot to hang some towels and we can roll the pool cover between it and the fence when we're using the pool. The hardcover has been great, but it needs somewhere to go when we swim.

Construction

The general construction of the deck was fairly standard: I used TuffBlock foundation blocks instead of footings, wanting to make this a reversible process should the need ever arise, and employing the existing concrete walkway that is under where this floating deck is now. I tied the new framing into old with structural screws to help keep everything connected.

I added a trap door as well, so we can tuck the pool equipment underneath. Keeping it tucked away gives us easy access without making any additional work for us! There is also plenty of space to access all the parts and do any maintenance required.

Stairs

The stairs were the real challenge in this one. I had considered wrapping the stairs around the corner opposite the pool, but once we knew we needed four steps instead of three (the grading where the steps landed was an additional challenge) a handrail becomes necessary by code. I decided this was a better way to manage it than to leave a full, open corner. That did give us another place to add a railing, which turned out to be the biggest surprise of the build.

The stairs are my favorite part of the whole deck! When I designed the unique shape of the deck, I wanted the stairs to float into the deck by the pool instead of wrapping the corner. It makes this the perfect spot to sit next to the pool. Floating the two bottom steps under the deck also fills the space well, so curious kids and dogs are less tempted to wedge their way underneath, though I'll likely add some screening down the line.

The deck angling to meet the edge of the pool gives the whole deck a presence that reminds me of my grandparent's cabin: Like it just fits into the landscape. I'm planning to help it continue fitting in with more plants and some dirt-free walkways that will help us in the winter too. For now, we're enjoying the extra usable space.

In keeping with a plastic-free deck, I remembered using conventional stains on the deck right before we got our stock tank pool in 2021. They always seem to fail quickly in our mixed climate. Hot summers and brutal winters pull plasticizers off of wood, and stain never seems to last. This time, I opted for a natural, tung oil finish. I went with "Dark Half" from RMP Finishes. It's a beautiful, natural material that should wear well! After several days of splashing, water has been beading off the deck beautifully.

Overall, this project was a bit of a bear to finish! But I'm already seeing how much better it is making our lives here: we can see the pool clearly from the kitchen, it's easier to get in and out, and the existing deck has better access to our bench seating. It's a great change.