Best Decking Options for Poolside Areas
There is something about having a pool in Perth, isn’t there, that just feels like summer? But get your poolside decking wrong and you’re looking at an epidermal nightmare. Literally.
Slips, burns and warps need to be tended to, turning a deck into what appears to be a ne’er-do-well in just a season or two.
I’ve been building decks around pools for years, and I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad and the truly dangerous.
So let’s discuss here what really works when you’re thinking about the best pool deck material for our climate!
Why Your Pool Deck Choice Actually Matters
Look, I get it. When you’re designing a pool, the decking may be an afterthought. You’re excited about the pool itself, maybe some landscaping, possibly a fantastic outdoor kitchen. But take my word for it, your deck is not something you want to screw up.
Your deck by the pool needs to work hard. It's also constantly around water (of course), chlorine splashing, harsh UV radiation and, in the case of Perth – some pretty extreme heat. And then there’s the whole safety thing, which we’re about to look at in glorious detail.
The wrong material? You’ll struggle with maintenance headaches and possible injuries and likely have to do a renovation waaay sooner than you’d like to think about.
The Big Three: What Your Pool Deck Actually Needs To Do
But before we go there, let’s discuss what actually matters. Don’t even think of skipping these three things; if you do, you’ll be sorry.
How Well Do They Fight a Slip? (Nobody Wants a Trip to Emergency)
This one's non-negotiable. Children jostling with wet feet, adults holding drinks — your deck must be nonslip. But comfortable pool deck surfaces aren’t all about texture. Some materials begin as excellent but, once exposed to algae or chemicals, become slippery.
AS 4586 - Wet Pendulum Classification P engineers rated for use on pool surrounds, the standard required to be safe when it is wet. That is what you are aiming for.
You want a surface that gives you traction when wet but that isn’t so rough it shreds feet.
Resistant to Heat (Perth has Killer Summers)
You want to step on pavers on a 40-degree day? In Perth, surface temperature is ginormous. Studies in Perth that measured urban landscape features found that hard, grey pavers were extremely hot in summer.
Some materials have a surface temperature of over 60°C in full sunlight. That’s hot enough to scorch bare feet in seconds.
Extreme heat also leads to expansion, warping and deterioration at a faster rate. Your pool decking at your Perth home needs to take the summer heat and not turn into a hotplate.
Chlorine and Chemical Resistance
Pool water is essentially a chemical bath. Your deck will take some splashes, some drips and maybe the occasional soaking from a cannonball.
If the materials aren’t up to it, they’ll fade or stain or rot away. The Ultimate Pool Decking Australia: The Luxury Pool Decks That Take Care of Themselves.
The best pool deckings in Australia are those that respond to the conditions they’re under with a little maintenance now and then but… Nothing should be getting in your face every day!
Timber Decking: The Classic Choice (When Done Right)
Timber, after all, is the OG deck-building material for good reason. It looks great, it feels natural underfoot, and, selected and maintained correctly, it can be quite effective around swimming pools.
Timber decks have a classic look which many homeowners still favour today.
The Good Stuff
When wood is good around pools, it’s great.
Here's what you get:
Wood doesn’t get nearly as hot as stone or concrete when it’s in direct sunlight—you can actually walk on it with your bare fee.
Naturally non-skid, with the right R and finish.”
It has that classic, natural look, and it’s just hard to beat aesthetically.
It is a beautiful combination with landscaping and warm space.
Creates genuine added value in your home as an entertaining space.
That tactile warmth and feel is difficult to reproduce in any other way.
What You Need To Know
All wood is not created equal when it comes to deck material for pool decking. Species matter. A lot. You want something that can withstand moisture without rotting or warping.
High-quality wood types such as Accoya are made to be resistant against water, using a non-toxic, ecologically friendly treatment process that ensures the durability of your doors.
Treatment and sealing will be part of your life with timber. Some require annual maintenance, while you may be able to wait longer with others. But you can’t simply set it and forget it; that’s a surefire way to disaster.
The grain and texture matter as well, in terms of slip resistance, and so does correct installation with spacing for drainage.
Composite Decking: The Modern Alternative
And this is where things get interesting. Composite decking has evolved a lot since its first appearance; it’s changed some of the ways we live in the great outdoors, even.
Contemporary composite materials, especially when of premium quality, have basically solved many, if not all, the issues that timber demands while still retaining a lot of its qualities.
We use a lot of Trex composite decking, and it’s notable specifically because it’s actually good.
Why Composite is the Right Choice for Pool Surfaces
Here’s what makes it so well-suited around pools:
Durable: Composite deck boards resist moisture and warping – never splintering or decaying as time goes on.
Chlorine resistant: So it lasts longer without the risk of snags and allies to boost your performance.
Heat dissipation: Both Trex and a quality brand like it will remain much cooler in the sun than cement or other lines.
Slip resistance: Texture gives a good grip even when wet and doesn’t wear down like treatments. CastException data with that plotted.
Climate proof in Perth: Engineered for the harsh Australian UV and climate conditions
Not bad considering these are also the ones being subjected to water and chemicals near a pool. They’re what cause the difference between a deck that stands up year after year and one that turns into a maintenance nightmare.
The Maintenance Angle
This is the place where composite comes into its own. You’re basically looking at a regular clean, and that’s about it. No sanding, no sealing, no treatises.
For busy families who would rather be in the pool than taking care of its surroundings, that’s worth quite a bit. The colour will not fade, even after several years, particularly under Perth’s brutal UV exposure.
Modern Colours and Styles
The aesthetic argument against composite doesn’t do (much) work any more. The options are now colours and textures that actually look good.
With top-end brands such as Millboard and Trex offering very wide ranges that cater for all styles of deck.
Making the Choice for Your Space
So, which pool deck is the right one for you in Australia? It depends on what you value most.
If you really like real wood and don’t mind the work involved, good-quality timber decking can also look fantastic. I also love the natural warmth of it.
For freedom from routine maintenance and long-term durability, composite is impossible to beat. The initial investment might be more expensive, but you’re not devoting weekends to treating and sealing.
For pool decks specifically, we typically recommend composites to most clients. He says the performance of slip resistance, heat management and chemical resistance with its low maintenance just adds up.
But timber isn't ruled out; it's all about what will work best for your needs.
Getting the Installation Right
Here’s something I don’t think gets talked about enough, though: you can have the best material in your golden hands and yet it will crap out 100% if installed wrong. Drainage and that spacing – right framing of this stuff matters.
Bad drainage around a pool is just as much of a nightmare no matter what you’re working with. Sitting water, dampness under the deck and insufficient airflow are all installation problems that will lead to issues with a deck.
It helps, in large part because of their experienced installation teams who set up poolside decking the right way. That’s not the same as building a simple deck outside and away from moisture. Indeed, there are some specific factors involved.
What About Cost?
Let's face the elephant in the room. Yes, good materials and correct installation are going to cost you some money. But here's the thing scrimping on your pool deck can cost you more in the long run.
Cheap material that needs to be replaced in a few years, eternal afternoons lost to maintenance and even worse injuries from dangerous surfaces. We’re not talking about sectors where going budget is right for the touches of things.
Consider the cost per year of use, not just the purchase price. A correctly installed composite deck may cost more at first but will need almost nothing in 20+ years.
While a more affordable cut of timber might seem like the most cost-efficient option initially, when the wood has to be regularly maintained and treated -- and then replaced sooner rather than later – it’s not so great.
So what's the answer?
The best pool deck material depends on your goals and lifestyle, as well as the design of your outdoor space and home.
Good-quality timber and up-to-date composite are also suitable around a swimming pool. For the majority of Perth residents, its safety and durability combined with minimal upkeep give you a good setupfor your poolside. The technology is far along enough that the performance gains outweigh any visual compromises.
But if you are drawn to real timber and ready for the maintenance, that’s an option worth considering as well.
Whatever you decide, work with experienced installers. The contrast between a great pool deck and a not-so-great one can be as simple as installation, rather than material.
You’ll want to create a deck that you actually enjoy spending time on by the pool with for years to come.
Ready to make over your poolside space? Contact us today to talk about your preferences and choose the best decking for your Perth home!