The charm of a swimming pool is incomplete without a well-maintained pool deck.
But keeping it intact can be challenging, more so in the case of concrete pool decks since they are more prone to chipping, peeling, or cracking. And having dealt with such problems for a long time, I know how difficult it becomes to keep your deck in good shape.
But then, I discovered the real reason behind these issues: the use of cheap paints.
Thus, after some research, I came across several popular concrete pool deck paints. I’ve tried many products since then and have achieved excellent results from some of them. As such, my pool deck looks just as nice and beautiful as new, so you can trust these paints.
Hi! I’m Stacy Smith, and today, I’ll be reviewing the top five options out there to help you choose the best paint for concrete pool deck. So, let’s get started!
Best Paints For Concrete Pool Deck
1. KILZ L378701
Remove the dullness from your concrete pool deck permanently with this super-efficient decorative concrete paint from KILZ. Its protective finish was definitely among the finest ones I’ve ever come across.
Product Highlights
Straight off the bat, I loved how the textured and matte finish of this grey-colored paint offered an elegant coating to pool decks. This helps enhance their look substantially, thereby revamping the poolside in a way that most homeowners would love.
Coming to its efficiency, it maintains the slip resistance of the surface unlike cheaper paints, and resists all household stains such as grease and dirt. Hence, the newly painted surface remains intact for prolonged periods.
Applying this decorative concrete paint is also pretty effortless, as you can use a ¼-inch nap roller cover for a uniform coat.
Plus, I was glad that it dried up in just an hour and the surface was ready for a recoat within 3 hours. This ruled out the need to wait for a whole day as is the case with some ordinary products out there.
What's There To Like About It?
The most notable feature of this concrete paint is its ability to fill in hairline cracks almost flawlessly. During the regular outdoor game sessions on the poolside with my family, quite a few cracks had developed due to the frisbees and ball frequently hitting the deck.
But this paint helped bring back my concrete pool deck to its old form, while keeping it practically crack free. So, it was nothing short of a boon for me!
What's There Not To Like About It?
I felt the coverage of this paint could be better, as a one-gallon can wasn’t enough to cover the entire pool deck. But luckily, I had bought two cans in the first purchase, which helped me complete the project at once. So, I’d suggest making a good estimate of the amount you’ll be needing according to the size of your pool deck.
Pros and Cons of KILZ L378701
Pros
Cons
- DURABLE STONE-LIKE TEXTURED FINISH: Create a long-lasting, protective finish that enhances your concrete with a stone-like, speckled texture. Adds depth, and visual appeal to patios, walkways, pool decks, and more
- INTERIOR & EXTERIOR CONCRETE COATING: Designed for indoor and outdoor use on horizontal surfaces including porous concrete, masonry, brick, and stone pavers. Ideal for garages, driveways, porches, patios, and pool decks
- FILLS CRACKS & RESISTS HOT TIRE PICK-UP: More than just decorative—this heavy-duty concrete coating helps fill hairline cracks and resists hot tire pick-up, peeling, weathering, household chemicals, and UV damage for long-lasting durability
2. Encore Cool Pool Deck Coating
This Encore deck coating is another product that I found genuinely effective in keeping my pool deck clean and bright. And rest assured you’ll be just as satisfied as I am once you start using it.
Product Highlights
First of all, this deck coating actually comes in a set of three containers that has everything you need to provide a long-lasting finish to protect your much-loved pool deck.
These include the coating itself, a sealant, and a Triple Crown protector, and the total combination helps enhance the sturdiness of the deck to prevent chipping or peeling. Needless to say, I was thrilled to have got this all-in-one set for maintaining my deck.
You can even apply any other colored-paint on this coating after it dries up to give your deck the tint you desire. Furthermore, I was able to cover the complete deck area with just half of the deck coating and even lesser amounts of the sealant and the protector. What made this possible was the large coverage of 200 sq. ft. provided by each pack.
What's There To Like About It?
During the summer months, my pool deck would get heated up very quickly, making the poolside really uncomfortable. But since I have started using this coating, the deck became much cooler and comfortable for my family to relax on.
In hindsight, it’s the formulation that can reduce heat buildup by 38%, as it absorbs the heat to transfer it directly into the soil below. That’s why I use it every summer, and the coat remains equally effective each time.
What's There Not To Like About It?
You must be careful to check each of the containers thoroughly after the set is delivered. I say this because the packaging was severely damaged the first time I got it, which made me a bit worried about the condition of the containers. But thankfully, there was nothing wrong with them.
Pros and Cons of Encore Cool Pool Deck Coating
Pros
Cons
- Complete No Heat DIY Pool Kit: Cool is a One-Of-A-Kind Pool Deck Coating Made to Repair & Resurface Your Concrete Pool Deck, While Reducing Heat Build-Up More Than 38% | Compared to Unfinished Heat Absorbing Concrete Patios, Pools, & Surface Paints
- Step 1 Effective Cleaner: TripleCrown is a Water-Based, Eco-Friendly Surface Cleaner That Cleans & Etches Concrete in 2 Simple Steps | Spray Concrete, Add to Pressure Washer, Wash Away Aggressive Algae, Dirt , Stains to Prep Your Cool Deck Paint Project
- Step 2 Cool Deck Paint: Add 1-Gallon of Desired Color Semi-Gloss Acrylic or Latex Paint, Pour Carefully into 5-Gallon Heat Resistant Cool Deck Paint, Mix Together Vigorously Application Covers Up To 200 Sq Ft. (2 Coats) Total Coverage Depends on Condition of Surface | Additional Cool Paint Available Purchased Separately
3. In The Swim A7430
You can also get your concrete pool deck resurfaced pretty smoothly with the A7430 deck paint from In the Swim. To find out more about this high-quality coating, move on to the next few sections.
Product Highlights
This acrylic deck paint can add a non-slip and fresh finish to your concrete pool deck while protecting it from regular wear and tear. As such, the deck retains a bright and new look over the years and stays safe for all users. That’s why in the two years that I used this paint, I didn’t need any other coating to safeguard my pool deck.
Note that you can apply this deck paint to both new and old concrete decks, which makes it an ideal pick for restoring old and worn out pool decks. In fact, you won’t believe it’s the same old pool deck after the coating has dried up!
Plus, it’s equally suitable for damp surfaces, which helps cut down the time between the preparation of the site and the final coating process. And depending on the porosity of the surface, you may not require to apply more than just a couple of coats.
What's There To Like About It?
Coverage is a major issue with most ordinary concrete deck paints out there, which I’ve very well understood in all these years. But this paint from In the Swim is one of the few exceptions in this regard as a one-gallon container can easily cover around 90-125 sq ft of area.
As such, a single container was more than enough for applying two coats on my medium-sized pool deck. And I didn’t need another one until the following year.
What's There Not To Like About It?
The only disadvantage of this paint is that it takes much longer to dry up than some of its peers. So, you may have to leave the pool deck to dry for about two days before you can set foot on it. But as far as its performance is concerned, I have no complaints since it did the job quite well.
Pros and Cons of In The Swim A7430
Pros
Cons
- Transformative Design: Revitalizes sprayed, patterned, or bare concrete with stylish, neutral hues that complement your backyard.
- Durable Protection: Shields concrete surfaces from wear, weather damage, and saltwater corrosion, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- Safety First: Features a non-slip acrylic formula, enhancing safety for walking and sunbathing on pool decks and patios.
4. Kelley Technical Olympic Patio Tones
Although it has the name Patio Tone, my next pick is equally effective for concrete pool decks. You will surely see a significant difference right after the first coat, as the surface would brighten up quickly.
Product Highlights
This 1-gallon concrete pool deck paint comes in an elegant champagne shade and is textured efficiently to provide the desired slip resistance to any pool deck. Hence, you can be assured that the surface is completely safe for all your family members, which is not something every paint may offer.
Another beneficial feature of this paint is that it’s very easy to use. Being a water-based product, it needed no prior mixing, so I could apply it directly using a paint roller. And the smooth texture only made the application easier.
Just make sure you clean the deck area gently using a vacuum or broom before the application and apply two coats each time. As for the coverage, it’s around 80 to 120 sq. ft. per gallon, which is perfect for repainting any medium-sized concrete pool deck.
What's There To Like About It?
The durability that this paint offers is praiseworthy as it provides the all-round protection that any concrete pool deck needs.
With many of the paints I’ve tried till now, I have often faced problems of chipping and peeling with the surface looking more dull than ever. But the strong formula of this product can put an end to such problems permanently. It can conceal even the smallest cracks or crevices to render an even finish.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Although this paint worked wonderfully for my deck, I often noticed a thin layer of dust over the pool deck. To avoid this, I had to clean it up at least once a week, which was a hassle considering the size of my deck. So, if you decide to go for this product, remember that the deck may need frequent cleaning.
Pros and Cons of Kelley Technical Olympic Patio Tones
Pros
Cons
- Includes 1 gallon.
- Approximately 90 - 125 square feet per gallon
- Results cannot be guaranteed. Digital screens may not show color accurately.
5. Complementary Coatings SU0922092-01
Towards the end, I’ve chosen this Complementary Coatings product which has been there in my collection of pool deck paints for a long time. I decided to try it out after hearing from a friend, and I was really glad seeing how well it worked.
Product Highlights
Featuring an attractive desert sand color, it can provide any weathered concrete pool deck with a complete makeover that all users would love. You can also get this paint in 6 different colors, which can be used in different combinations to get a unique shade in line with your preferences.
For instance, you can combine this variant with the light grey shade to provide a light taupe shade that would look appealing on any pool deck.
And here’s the best part; the color is retained throughout so that your deck always looks as good as new. Plus, since the product comes with a very fine grit, the floors turn totally skid-resistant after the application.
I also loved that it has a relatively shorter drying time, and my deck was dry to the touch within about 2 hours post-application. As a result, it became suitable for light foot traffic in a day.
What's There To Like About It?
The high-quality formulation of this product makes it resistant to abrasion, peeling, and many other weathering effects. So, I never noticed my deck looking dull as long as the coat remained intact. I was also really happy to find that it could effectively cover the small nooks and crannies in several parts of my deck.
But that’s not all; it offers pretty good water resistance, so the concrete didn’t wasn’t really affected by the sudden heavy rain showers.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Using this paint is a bit tricky, as you need to stir it very carefully to ensure that the consistency is perfect for the application. In addition, you’ll have to prepare the pool deck for a couple of days following the procedure mentioned on the container. But I was satisfied with its efficiency as it protected my pool deck just the way I wanted.
Pros and Cons of Complementary Coatings SU0922092-01
Pros
Cons
- Country of Origin: UNITED STATES
- The Package Length of the product is 9 inches
- The Package Width of the product is 8.2 inches
Buyers Guide
Choosing a paint for your concrete pool deck wouldn’t seem complicated if you consider some key features that influence its performance. This way, you can always obtain the desired results with the product. It’s also important to remember that making a hasty decision would lead to a waste of both money and effort.
So, here are some points that you must take into account before heading on to choose the most suitable concrete pool deck paint.
1. Durability
One of the most crucial factors is the durability of the paint as it would determine how long the pool deck will remain intact over the years.
The decks are exposed to the pool water and the different natural elements over the years, which may cause peeling, fading, or cracking of the surface. As such, the paint must provide enough resistance to prevent any damage to ensure that the deck retains its look over time.
To know more about the durability of your preferred paint, it’s a good idea to go through the customer reviews of the product page. On a side note, let me tell you that all the paints I’ve reviewed rank high in terms of durability as they come with effective formulations.
2. Coverage
The coverage that the paint offers plays a significant role in determining whether it would be sufficient to paint the entire pool deck effectively.
An insufficient coverage would exhaust the paint before the job is completed and you may require to purchase more containers at a time. Hence, remember to check the product details for the coverage of the paint per gallon.
You must also know the approximate area of your pool deck for this purpose. After all, it’s essential to ensure that the coverage offered is greater than or equal to the area of your pool deck. A coverage of 80-120 sq ft is generally regarded as ideal for most pool decks.
3. Type Of Paint
Paints used for concrete pool decks can be of three types viz. oil, alkyd, or water-based. So, you may go for any of these types based on your needs. As for oil dek paints, these contain oil additives and minerals and have to be stirred well before application.
On the other hand, alkyd paints come with glycerin, resin, and a fraction of granite, sand, and oils. But neither of the two are as popular as water-based paints, as they are much easier to apply.
Other than that, oil deck paints possess great bonding, which provides good weather resistance, but the alkyd paints can better withstand harsh weather. Water-based paints are also very durable and are available in two varieties, namely, rubber or latex and acrylic paints.
Both these varieties are highly weather-resistant and allow water vapor to pass through the coat to maintain the moisture balance. But latex paints are safer to handle and easier to clean than their acrylic counterparts.
While choosing a concrete pool deck paint, check its type and make sure it will be ideal as per your needs.
4. Color Compatibility
Your pool deck must be painted in a color that goes well with the existing decor of the poolside. As such, choosing an ideal color is important when it comes to paints for concrete pool decks.
The products available on the market come in different shades, and as such, you need to figure out the one that’s more suitable for your pool deck. Keep in mind that most pool deck paints are available in one or two colors, while a few others offer more color options. So, take your pick wisely.
5. Price
Remember that the price might not always indicate the quality of the deck paint. From my experience, I’ve seen that not all expensive paints provide smooth coatings. So, it’s best to be sure of the quality of the paint before purchasing it.
This is why you either need to go through the customer reviews carefully or contact the customer support of the brand for more information on the paint quality. That said, it’s important to keep in mind your budget while making a choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, concrete surfaces need to be cleaned using water and must be allowed to dry before applying the paint. But for some products, you may have to use specific cleaning procedures or primer. Such information is generally provided in an instruction manual or on the paint container itself.
Although paints come with protective properties, sealing is recommended by professionals as it prevents the paint color from fading due to constant exposure to UV rays. It also provides further protection from pool chemicals and stains, so a pool deck should be sealed at least once a year to keep it in good shape.
Maintaining the stability of a pool deck is essential in this regard. That’s because even if its surface is damaged but the stability remains intact, painting the deck won’t be difficult. And if you follow the required instructions for painting the deck, the paint will make it look as good as new.
Paints are harder and thicker and provide a finish that's the same as their original color, while stains create a finish very different from their original color.
My Final Recommendation
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and bring back the charm of your pool deck by repainting it thoroughly!
If you’re still not confident about the most suitable option, I’d suggest reading through the buyer’s guide once again to understand the key factors better. Thereafter, you’ll be able to choose the best paint for concrete pool deck easily.Â
But before wrapping up, let me quickly recap my favorites from the list. If you want a high-performing product that offers considerable coverage, the Encore Cool Pool Deck Coating will be an ideal choice. On the other hand, the In The Swim A7430 is the best budget-buy in my opinion.Â
Let me know your favorites in the comments section below. Till the next time, take care!