The decking sub is responsible for putting the walkway around the pool and in other areas that you might want deck surface. The pool deck has virtually limitless applications. Its bounded only by a person's creativity. The standard, most basic surface for pool decking is Kooldeck. Kooldeck has been around for a long time and is still quite popular with pools. Kooldeck comes in many different colors and patterns, but the most common is the Lace pattern. The way that Kooldeck is typically done today is using a cantilever design which overhangs the inner edge of the bond beam by 1-1/2". The cantilever edge design provides nice sharp, defined, straight lines that give pools a very contemporary look

Once the shell walls and bottom are complete, you can install the concrete decking. Decking materials also vary from stone to brick and/or concrete. The deck phase adds a very appealing "finish" look to your pool. Today there are numerous deck materials for your pool to reflect your personality and style.

Deck materials range from natural stone and brick to acrylic coatings and traditional cantilevered decks.

Ensure the coping clips and joiners are installed over the coping joints. Use duct tape to completely cover the face of all coping, to protect it from splashing concrete.
Concrete should be reinforced with either wire mesh or a fiber mesh additive (available from most concrete companies).
Concrete should be a minimum of 6" thick at the pool edge and taper down to about 3 1/2" on the outer edge.
For proper drainage, the deck should slope a minimum of 1/4" for every 1' of width.
Install ladder/handrail anchors, as required, when forming deck. All rail goods and diving board jigs and the pool itself should be grounded (check electrical codes).
Ensure concrete completely fills the coping.
Ensure concrete completely fills the gap under the lip of the step to provide additional structural support.
Broom finish the concrete for a non-slip surface or apply other concrete toppings, such as cool deck.
Edge and groove expansion joints or use expansion joint material. Do not position expansion joints directly over the pool wall braces.
Use additional support (piers) down to undisturbed earth if you do not have deck bracing.
Pour the deck at least 8' wide (depending on board size) where diving board is installed.

A swimming pool deck is the area around the swimming pool which serves to surround your pool and provide a leisure area. Just as with the pools themselves, there are two main types of pool deck, in-ground and above ground decks. In-ground tend to be part of the pool design installation whilst above ground decks can be added to an existing installation. Decking can be made from many different materials. Wood, tiles, stone or concrete are the most commonly used for swimming pool decks, each of these offering a wide range of textures, designs and styles. Pool decks normally require footings that are crucial to the strength and safety of the deck or patio structure.

Above ground decks usually have stairs and railings and can either surround the entire pool or be just big enough to access the pool from. Above ground decks can be an attractive feature that can greatly enhance the appearance of your pool. By their nature, above ground decks tend to be built from wood, often either natural cedar or redwood, or from synthetic versions, often a combination of wood and plastic. Ideally, the wood is pressure-treated and can be stained or painted. If building from metal, aluminum is a popular choice, primarily due to the number of commercially available kits. Indeed, some above ground pools are sold with aluminum decking.

In-ground decks tend not to be made from more durable substances than wood. Concrete is the most popular choice for pool decks due to its strength, affordability and ease of installation. A concrete decking area need not be as dull as it sounds. Many companies offer dyeing, stamping or stenciling to recreate stone effects such as bricks, tiles or even cobbles. Whilst more expensive than basic concrete, this may still be a cheaper alternative to using natural stone. However stones and bricks are still very popular decking materials.

Also worth considering is epoxy stone, a porous stone that provides a durable, slip free surface, since water runs through the stone and back into the ground below. The stone is also much less heat absorbent than concrete. It is also easy to repair. Should the surface beneath the epoxy stone expand and crack it, the cracks can be easily repaired by chipping them out and repouring them with stone.

No matter what design or material you opt for, it is critical that your swimming pool deck is safe. To avoid injury the decking should never be slippery, either when wet or dry. It is also better that your decking does not get too hot to walk on under the heat of a summer day.

Swimming pool decks can have one or many levels and can be bold or unassuming, depending on your preferred design. The deck's location is important as it will by nature be a frequently used space and as such should be strategically placed to enjoy the scenery while minimizing noise both to and from your neighbors.