Using decorative concrete to create unique swimming pool surrounds

by Sally Bouorm | December 1, 2013 2:44 pm

By Bonnie Moore

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Concrete is one of the world’s most durable products; it has been used to create various structures for hundreds of years. From engineers to bricklayers, a variety of concrete compounds have been used for various purposes and applications over time. In fact, concrete is used more often than any other building material as it is one of the most stable materials available.

Concrete offers interesting architectural versatility—from decks, bridges, and homes to skyscrapers—and has been applied in well-known structures such as the Hoover Dam, Panama Canal, and Roman Panthoen[2].

Today, the architectural/decorative concrete industry has grown to a $1.3 trillion per year business. In fact, in the swimming pool industry, architects and designers are being sought out by builders, landscape professionals, as well as homeowners to assist in bringing a backyard project to life with the use of coloured, stamped concrete.

Concrete is beautiful

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As society moves forward and becomes more environmentally conscious, concrete makes sense as a building material that is both eco-friendly and beautiful. Give an artist a brush, they will implement vision and create art, give a concrete professional an opportunity and watch the same creativity come to life. That said, a poured, imprinted, and coloured concrete swimming pool surround (deck) can help transform a customer’s backyard into an outdoor oasis.

For instance, architectural/decorative concrete, which is the process of adding textures and colours via stamp, can transform a regular concrete swimming pool deck into a unique living space. Using this technique, many types of natural substances can be imitated, including stone, brick, slate, wood grain, granite, rock, and cobblestone. These authentic looking textures can bring a swimming pool project to life by adding flair with various design elements. Further, replicating—rather than using—natural resources can also reduce the homeowner’s cost as naturally sourced materials (e.g. granite) can be costly.

Sustainable on its own, concrete offers a time-tested product, which increases in strength as time passes, which is what makes it a great building material and suitable for swimming pool surrounds.

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Based on a vision, the architect, swimming pool designer/builder, or homeowner, can create a swimming pool surround that is limited only by one’s imagination. Every swimming pool installation is designed and engineered with the entire scope of work taken into consideration. Following the engineer’s exact specifications will determine the success of the project. Concrete is not only durable, but can also be thickened for increased reinforcement and stability. When engineered correctly, concrete can meet the most demanding design criteria, such as placing pool cabanas, outdoor kitchens, or rock features on top of the pool deck. In doing so, installers must take all site aspects into consideration (e.g. grade, architectural surroundings, project shape, and the colour and pattern of the finished deck. If required, footings should also be installed where necessary. Footings are not always needed in pool deck installations; however, an installation specialist should be able to determine this. Homeowners should be rest assured their swimming pool surround has been properly installed, thus it will not settle due to land disturbances.

First and foremost, however, it is important for homeowners to understand concrete swimming pool surrounds cannot be installed properly during inclement weather as the curing process is essential to performance. A concrete swimming pool surround that is allowed to cure, strengthen, and set properly will last for years.

The installation process

For stamped concrete swimming pool surrounds, the stamping process begins as the concrete is being poured. When watching this process, which usually involves pressing moulds into the concrete during the curing stage, it appears to be an overwhelming job; however, most installation teams have a well-oiled system. A successful project starts with the proper preparation and installation of the subgrade, which is the most vital part of the job.

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Before the concrete is poured, the subgrade must be excavated first and a 152-mm (6-in.) bed of 19-mm (0.75-in.) granular stone applied. Then, concrete is poured and floated, and a colour hardener is applied. The wet cement is trowelled and the stamp is applied to create the dimensional characteristics of the selected pattern.

Finally, the surface is sealed to facilitate curing and to enhance the colour. As an option, grouting may be applied to augment the appearance. Other popular styles include wood board with an authentic weathered look (including nail holes), square stone, which replicates sawed keystone found in the Florida Keys, or even volcanic looking stone with coarse ridges, chisel marks, and craters.

Attention to detail

Specialized concrete contractors pride themselves on being detailed oriented, thus leaving behind a dependable project. In addition to design selections, another consideration for the homeowner is cost. When a client invests in a large project, they want to avoid costly mistakes or an improper installation, which may need to be repaired after a short time. Therefore, a licensed and/or trained concrete professional should be able to install a concrete swimming pool surround with the desired look the client wants to achieve with very little problems.

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Concrete may be a more labour intensive material to use during the building process; however, in comparison to wood, which requires staining and has a shorter lifespan, concrete will outperform wood in almost all cases. Further, paving stones, which may heave and allow weeds to grow through, can also be detrimental for some projects. That said, it should be explained to clients that despite the additional costs, using concrete is worth the extra time and effort to ensure a long-lasting, maintenance-free hardscape.

Today, more backyard designs include elegant, sophisticated additions such as hot tubs, cabanas, and outdoor kitchens to enhance the main goal of these projects, which is fun. Of course, the swimming pool is often the centre of attention in any backyard landscape plan, while concrete is one of the main materials used in the design. The eye is often drawn to the swimming pool and the rippling effect of the water; however, sooner or later, the scrutiny comes to the deck with respect to its overall appeal and usefulness. While brushed concrete is effective and will do the trick, stamped, coloured concrete swimming pool surrounds can add to the overall landscape by giving the outdoor living space character.

Does anybody have any questions?

Swimming pool installations always come with a variety of questions. Who will be using the pool? Are steps necessary? Is a ramp required for easy access? Are water features being considered? The response to these questions may have bearing on the pool’s final shape and design. The questions should not stop here, however. Concrete swimming pool surround installers should ask similar questions with regards to the pool deck as well. Why? The pool deck will likely see a lot of traffic, it will often accommodate an array of patio furniture and a variety of backyard accessories, and thus it will take a lot of abuse. The pool deck is the hub for backyard activity and should be easy to care for to eliminate time spent versus time enjoyed. Concrete swimming pool surrounds can also be installed to provide a non-slip, easy-to-clean surface, which is integral to all aspects of safety. Therefore, education is important with respect to installation quality and versatility as a concrete deck not only adds purpose to the swimming pool, but also value to the homeowner’s property.

It takes craftsmanship, patience, and practice to install a concrete swimming pool surround that fulfils the client’s desired outcome. That said, one of the most common complaints from homeowners is cracking. Concrete is a molecular building material, which shrinks during the drying process; therefore, it is important to include pre-determined cut joints and/or expansion joints in the design. Minor hairline cracks in a properly designed and engineered slab should not be considered a faulty installation.

For some, cracks add to the natural beauty of concrete’s aging process; however, to increase a concrete deck’s performance, saw cuts allow the concrete to expand and contract as temperatures fluctuate. Saw cuts create a weakness point, which relieves the stresses built up due to shrinkage. Further, this allows the concrete to be poured in large panels, thus eliminating point-load settlement (e.g. from cabanas, hot tubs, etc.), while at the same time allowing surface runoff.

Experience necessary

The durability and structural integrity of concrete outweighs the minor negative points. Architectural concrete swimming pool surrounds require little maintenance and eliminate the need for the homeowner to pull weeds, thus allowing them to spend more time with family in and around the pool.

When a project begins, it should be given the utmost attention to detail—from preparation to the final finished product. Licensed installers should also ensure the proper specifications are followed (e.g. depth of granular required and the thickness and type of concrete to be used as there are several variations and mix designs, which may satisfy the installation requirements). Therefore, it is imperative to have an individual who is experienced in this process.

 

 

Bonnie Moore is the national franchise manager for Patterned Concrete Ontario Inc., the Canadian agent for Patterned Concrete.® She works out of the company’s national head office in Toronto, where she seeks new licensees and provides support to the current network of contractors across North America. Moore draws on her previous experience as a business consultant to assist in developing plans to educate the public on the longevity and durability of patterned concrete. She can be reached via e-mail at bonniem@patternedconcrete.ca[8].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/using-decorative-concrete-to-create-unique-swimming-pool-surrounds/

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