Concrete Stain Vs Paint And Dye
Stains work by penetrating the concrete surface, creating a long-lasting colored surface that wont peel, chip, or fade. They are commonly available in earth tones. They will impact a rich variegated, translucent color to both outdoor and indoor concrete. Any imperfection or stain will show through, even after a couple of coats of the product have been applied.
Note that, if you enjoy a natural lasting look, opt for stains.
The paint will usually coat the surface and create a shade that will wear away after a while. Paints will impact a solidly consistent color. This is one of the good ideas if your concrete is badly stained and youd like not to see the imperfections.
Concrete dyes will offer an array of colors such as blue, yellow, and purple. They are commonly utilized together with stains to enhance the final result greatly. Dyes also impact transparent color. They, however, dry quicker and require little cleanup. They are also popular for adding color to polished concrete. These materials are not popularly applied outside the home because they are UV unstable.
Option #: Pool Deck Sealer With A Matte Finish
Lets say you do not wish to alter your concretes appearance at all and you want a matte finish. Thats where a penetration type of sealer like the water-based DECK-O-SHIELD line comes in.
This type of penetrating sealer will achieve the natural look youre seeking and retain the appearance it had before treating it, except that now its protected. Consider this as more of a matte-paint style that doesnt really change the appearance.
Pool Deck Resurfacing After Sealant Applied
Concrete Pool Deck Sealer
Sealer Tip: Concrete absorbs heat. Sealer should be applied when it is cool, such as in the early morning or early evening. If applied during the heat of the day, the sealer may “flash”, and create an unwanted coloration.
Two coats of sealer were applied. The first coat was rolled on in the north-south direction and allowed to dry. Depending on the temperature and humidity, this may take between 2 hours and 24 hours.
The first coat of sealer must be dry to the touch before the second coat is applied.
The second coat of sealer was rolled on in the east-west direction, and allowed to dry.
A non slip concrete sealer additive for pool decks was mixed with both coats of sealer for slip resistance.
If you would like a quotation to have your pool deck resurfaced, and you live in the local Raleigh-Durham-Chapel-Hill, North Carolina Triad Area, please use the Request For Quote form, below.
Do It Yourself?
If you would like to perform your own pool deck resurfacing to stain and seal your pool, yourself, the following information contains the timeline, materials and equipment that you will need to help you decide.
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What Is The Best Color To Paint A Pool Deck
Go Neutral, lighter, or Earth tones. Choose a concrete stain color that is lighter than the blue on your house.
Say, you have a house with dark blue paint, never go darker if the house paint is already dark. As much as possible, you would want the pool deck paint colors to be light so that it wont absorb heat when exposed to sunlight, making the deck too hot for barefoot walking.
If you cant find a good complementing color or if lighter shades of the same color do not appeal to you, then neutral is the best choice. You can choose white, beige, gray, and other neutral choices to make the pool deck colors look stunning without looking disconnected.
How To Change The Color Of An Existing Pool Deck

If youre unhappy with the current color of your pool deck, here are your options for changing it:
- Stain the plain gray concrete around your pool to bring it to life
- Resurface your pool deck with a coating to create a blank canvas for any color you want
- Use a tinted sealer to enhance or recolor a pool deck thats faded over time
- Apply pool deck paint for an easy and affordable transformation
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The Best Outdoor Concrete Stain
Stained concrete is an affordably quick way to transform the exterior concrete in your backyard. You can take a boring stamped concrete pool deck, for example, surrounded with concrete pavers, and transform it. This can also be done for a patio area or pool deck and make it into a beauty. There are two types of stains.
Most acid stained concrete is a more durable choice for an area of exterior concrete projects surfaces than aqua-built formulas. You will find that the aqua-based products will do fine on an exterior stone floor, e.g., on a stamped concrete pool deck in your backyard if a sealer is used frequently. The sealer makes the finish nice and new.
Your choice for the best outdoor concrete stain will be on what decorative concrete design or look you want to see. A sealer will lock in the color but can make the surfaces slippery when wet, e.g., around pools and a pool deck. You can add a plastic anti-slip additive to the sealer to make the outdoor surface anti-slip without changing the color.
Can You Stain The Concrete Pool Deck
If you are thinking about staining and sealing your concrete or pavers yourself, make sure you have the right type of stain. It is possible to DIY! In fact, applying a stain yourself can be an inexpensive way to save money- contractors will charge anywhere from $10-$25 per square ft for this service.
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Option #: Pool Deck Sealer With A Satin Or Eggshell Finish
When Jim demonstrates a satin-paint style of sealer finish , he does so by wiping a dampened cloth across the concretes surface. This subtly darkens and enhances the color, which is the closest visual example he can give to show you how a penetrating sealer will appear on your concrete. It will make the reds or greens pop, but its more of an eggshell finish with no real glossy appearance to it.
Is Acid Stain Good For A Pool Deck
Here is a copy of the question:
I used your product on a garage and liked it very much. I have a pool deck I was considering staining. Wanted to order a test kit and see how some colors might work. Want something light / like your wheat or light blue grey or slightly red.
So wanted to inquire on whether your acid stain would be good for a pool deck. Also see if I could get the colors for a test kit. Thanks. Tom
Great question! The answer is: yes absolutely you can stain a pool deck.
And if youre like Tom, meaning youve already stained a garage and have an idea as to what youre doing, you will find this process to be pretty straightforward.
So lets go through the steps of staining not only concrete, but a pool deck specifically. For more clarification, you can see the video above.
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How Do You Maintain A Concrete Pool Deck
There are steps you can take throughout the year to make your annual cleaning easier.
- Rid the surface of dirt and grime as it collects to prevent stains from occurring. To do this, spray off the surface using a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle.
- Prevent damage by taking care of small cracks and chips in the surface as soon as you spot them. Small problems can turn into large problems when theyre not addressed. Not only can they become unsightly, but damage can also create safety issues for people walking around your swimming pool.
- Protect your pool deck from mold and mildew by not letting wet towels and pool toys sit for long periods of time.
- Avoid planting large shrubs or trees near your pool deck to prevent root damage in your pool deck.
- Remove items made of metal from your pool deck. Even small objects such as bobby pins can create rust stains on your deck.
- Seal your pool deck .
The Best Concrete Pool Deck Colors
Tom Ralston Concrete in Santa Cruz, CA
Coloring is one of the best ways to beautify a concrete pool deck, give it more distinction, and make the deck blend in with its surroundings. Coloring usually goes hand-in-hand with other decorative concrete treatments, such as stamping or stenciling, allowing you to replicate the colors of natural stone or create unique medallions or other custom art.
Find local concrete pool deck contractors
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Option #: Pool Deck Sealer With A Gloss Finish
Your acrylic concrete sealer products , will give your concrete a glossier, wetter look that will pop the color so it appears as saturated and vibrant as a stone that youve just run under water. But dont let that wet, glass look deceive you. This also delivers a slip-resistant surface on a normally slippery area.
Pool Deck Paint Vs Stain: Whats Best For Concrete Pool Decks

Posted by on January 3, 2018 in Blog, Uncategorized
Enhancing a pool deck doesnt have to be something that involves the use of expensive materials and complicated work. A mere layer or two of concrete pool deck paint or stain could immediately enhance the look at a more comfortable price. While these two share the same goal, they are two different options. Which one should you choose and why?
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What Is The Drying Time For Pool Deck Sealer
The drying time for water-based pool deck sealers is about 4 hours. For solvent-based pool deck sealers, you can expect a drying time of about 1 hour.
Note: We always give you these estimates with the caveat of your results may vary, because it will depend on the quality of your concrete or stone, your temperature and the relative humidity level.
How Do I Remove Mildew From My Pool Deck
Not only is mold and mildew unsightly, it can become a safety issue when left untreated, as it is slippery. Heres how you can address the problem:
- Spray the entire surface using a high-pressure hose or pressure washer.
- Treat mold and mildew spots with a commercial cleaner or a combination of warm water and oxygenated bleach . Use a scrub brush to rub the cleaner into the spots until the mold and mildew is released from the surface.
- Spray the entire surface again, making sure to spray away from your pool.
You can prevent mold and mildew by having your pool deck sealed as often as needed. Unsealed concrete surfaces are porous, and therefore susceptible to mold and mildewespecially when they surround a pool. Additionally, make sure not to leave things like wet towels or pool toys on the deck.
A well cared for pool deck makes an inviting space to gather around the pool with friends and family. Deck by Quick Creations in Newcastle, CA.
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Should I Seal My Concrete Pool Deck
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What If I Reapply Pool Deck Sealer Where Its Not Needed
If you are applying the concrete pool deck sealer product and it starts beading up upon itself, you should move it in the other direction. Once it reaches its optimum level for sealer absorption, it will reject whatever youre putting down by beading up. At that point, if you try to reapply more sealer, it will just create a sticky mess.
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When Life Runs Out Of The Pool Deck
The number one sign to see telling you the concrete surfaces need revitalizing is fading. The color washed-out and the gloss got drowned in the dullness.
Outdoor concrete is prone to heavy use and traffic. This is especially true for commercial pools. The discoloration is not what you only need to pay attention to. The fading concrete surface also means that its protective coating is diminished. It loses slip-resistance overtime. Staining also provides adequate sealing that concrete decks need, preventing other forms of damages.
Aside from color fading, here are other signs to see telling you the pool deck needs a breath of fresh dyes and sealers.
- The slimy, grimy surface starts to make feet slip and skid on the poolside.
- Pool edges turning green.
- Pool water clouds fast, and murky water emerges often.
- Hair-thin cracks crawl, spreading over the surface.
- Sinking surfaces. Watery steps that do not dissipate under high heat.
Try These Pool Deck Sealers
Here are five professional-grade pool deck sealants to consider:
- Kingdom Guardâs unique formulation provides superior water and salt resistance, making it a good choice for sealing pool decks with salt water systems.
- Salt Protector Plus is formulated to penetrate and protect residential concrete pool decks and other surfaces. It is non-film forming, which means it wonât make the surface slippery.
- is recommended for use on new or existing pool decks because of its superior water and salt resistance. It is non-yellowing, and high gloss.
- Safety-Seal will protect your concrete pool deck while enhancing appearance and improving safety. It comes premixed with anti-slip additives.
- L& M⢠AQUAPEL⢠is highly resistant to the attacks of both moisture and salt. Plus, it leaves pool deck surfaces breathable by allowing moisture to escape without compromising protection.
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Do Any Of My Pool Chemicals Impact The Lifespan Of The Pool Deck Sealer
Jim advised that chlorine does not hurt your pool deck sealer lifespan, but muriatic acid will affect it somewhat. Pool technicians use muriatic acid in pools to lower the pH balance and deep clean the residue found in pool filters. Jim has seen occasions where technicians werent as meticulous as the homeowner might like, and muriatic acid splatter occurred on the pool deck sealer.
How To Revamp The Pool Deck And Coping Without Replacing The Concrete

Frequent usage, sun exposure, and contact with water and chlorine will soon cause the pool deck and coping to deteriorate. It may be stunning the first time it was installed but wear and tear can make it look hideous. This is not a reason to remove and replace the concrete slab, though. There are simple, easier, and more affordable ways to restore the life of your concrete pool deck, improve its look, and enhance its function.
- Wash the Pool Deck and Coping
Sometimes, a pool deck may seem old and damaged but all it really needs is a good wash. Stubborn dirt can sit on the deck through the rain without getting washed off. For dirt that stays put, use a pressure washer to wash it out. Make sure that it is set somewhere around 3,000 psi and nothing too strong. Too much pressure could damage the deck and wash off colors or sealers.
- Scrub Off Ugly Stains
Whether it is a red ketchup stain or dark green one caused by rotten leaves, stains can make the pool deck look like a mess. If washing it does not do the trick, use a bristle brush to scrub it off. First, soak it in water with a mild soap or detergent to soften the stain. Start with a soft brush. If the stain is stubborn, use a stiffer one. Just make sure that you apply light scrubbing strokes that wont affect any coating or finishing the pool deck surface has.
- Refinish the Surface
- Resurface with Overlays or Coatings
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Amazing Stamped Concrete Patio Design Ideas
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How Do You Stain A Concrete Pool Deck
. Also asked, can you stain concrete pool deck?
Stained concrete for your pool deck is a great investment. With staining, we can treat your concrete so that it will resist damage from the harsh pool chemicals and create a slip-resistant surface for maximum safety when you‘re having fun. Concrete stain is easy to care for, too.
Similarly, should I paint or stain my concrete pool deck? Concrete stain has some of the drawbacks of paint but overall is a better choice. The stain does not always cover the discoloration and staining, which is why most people want to paint or stain their in the first place.
Additionally, what is the best stain to use on a pool deck?
Solid penetrating stains or semi-solid stains with an opaque color are the best to protect pool decks. You can apply sealer with a brush, roller or a mop on larger deck surfaces. Use a paintbrush for smaller areas such as railings and the wood edge next to the pool.
What is the best concrete stain?
*Coverage is approximate and depends on surface, porosity, temperature and method of application.
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