Choosing A Deck For Your Pool Or Spa

Summer in Australia is all about the outdoors; spending summer lazing around on the back deck or beside the pool is the best way to enjoy that Aussie sun. But which deck is the right deck?

There are a few questions you need to consider when choosing a deck.

  1. Is the material fire safe?
  2. Does it have a great appearance?
  3. Will it resist salt and chlorine?
  4. What is the slip resistance?
  5. Is it safe to walk on?
  6. Is it pet-friendly?

There are four main types of decking around pools and spas:

TIMBER

The three main types of timber decking available are Pine, Rainforest Merbau and Hardwood. Timber is a really beautiful decking material, however, it requires a lot of maintenance including painting/oiling every 6-12 months, stripping and re-sealing every 3-4 years, and over time it will deteriorate. A timber deck has great dimensional stability, although it is subject to shrinking and warping, as well as having a poor fire safety rating and poor resistance to salt and chlorine.

COMPOSITES

Composite decking is manufactured product from either China, Australia or America. Chinese and Australian composites are inclined to fade rapidly and have some dimensional stability issues. American composites have a higher plastic content, making them the most durable of the three. The plastic, however, retains a lot of heat and becomes impossible to walk on with bare feet in direct sun. All composites fail for slip and chemical resistance and have a poor fire safety rating.

FIBRE CEMENT SHEET + TILES

Fibre cement sheets and tiles are another decking option; however, they do not provide the traditional appearance of a timber deck. This material is a durable, pet-friendly and water-resistant (although the decking will become slippery when wet) decking as well as maintenance free. This particular type of decking is a good option for bush fire zone areas (BAL FZ).

ALUMINIUM

The decking system features a strong box section extrusion, anti-slip polyurethane powder coating and allows for expansion and contraction. There is no maintenance, painting, sanding or oiling required. It is comfortable to walk on and will not retain heat like other decks do, withstands harsh environmental conditions and is a non-combustible product.

 

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