Transform your backyard with a freshly painted pool deck
The right shade of paint can help accentuate your pool’s essence, transforming the surrounding area into a backyard oasis. Whether you’re refreshing your outdoor space or learning how to paint a pool deck for the first time, selecting the best paint for a pool deck depends on your goals.
Paint can give your pool deck an aesthetic boost, but it can also impact temperature and safety. Lighter colors help reflect light, creating a cooler surface for wet, bare feet. Choosing the right deck paint and wood stains can help protect against slips and falls while making your pool shine.
In addition to laying out the best types of paint for your deck, we rounded up some of our favorite shades to help you discover the best color scheme for your pool deck.
The four most common deck paint types are acrylic, epoxy, latex, and oil-based. These paint formulas have different characteristics and also can impact the cost to paint a pool deck. Here’s a quick look at each type:
Acrylic paint is a water-based paint with an acrylic resin that is ideal for humid climates, as it is resistant to mildew.
Epoxy paint is durable and costs slightly more than acrylic or latex paint. Be aware that this paint can become slippery when wet.
Latex paint offers various color options, but it’s often not as durable as other paint types.
Oil-based paint is highly durable and quickly absorbs into wood, but it can eventually give a bumpy, uneven texture and hold on to mold and mildew.
Once you’ve chosen the type of paint for your local deck painter to lay down, it’s time to find a color that will deliver your dream aesthetic.
Clean, crisp white is considered a classic for a reason. The right shade can give your pool deck an elegant look while enhancing the serene, glistening water. This is an ideal choice if your pool is flanked by lush greenery. White is practical as it is pretty: It reflects light, which helps keep the area cool and comfortable—optimal for hot climates.
For inspiration:
AMES® White
ECOS® White Kitten
PPG Paints® White Rock
Sherwin-Williams® Snowbound
Blue hues mimic your pool’s water, creating a serene, relaxing, and inviting environment. Different shades can have varying impacts on a pool deck. A lighter shade of blue can make a smaller pool appear larger, while a darker blue can construct a look of elevated sophistication. Blues also pair nicely with natural stone elements or white accents.
For inspiration:
BEHR® Aqua Marble
Benjamin Moore® Florida Keys Blue
PPG® Blue Dolphin
Valspar® Lazy River
Timeless neutral-based shades are a great choice for homeowners who prefer to play it safe around the pool area. Beiges, taupes, and light browns blend with the surrounding landscape while complementing various architectural styles. Neutrals provide a great, versatile base if you prefer to add flair and personality through patio furniture and pool accessories.
For inspiration:
BEHR® Iron Ore
Benjamin Moore® Giant Sequoia
Glidden® Best Beige
Sherwin-Williams® Tony Taupe
Shades of earthy green can delicately blend a pool deck with carefully cultivated landscaping. Wooden furniture and tropical plants are complementary additions to a green-hued pool deck. These colors emit a sense of calm and tranquility while accenting the backyard’s focal point: the pool. Greens are a great consideration if you want to give your pool a tropical feel.
For inspiration:
Backdrop® Lawn Party
BEHR® Green Adirondack
Clare® Make Waves
Sherwin-Williams® Artichoke
If you’re working with a wood deck, you have options. Deciding whether to paint or stain your wood deck comes down to your personal preference, including the type of protection your deck needs and how much time you want to dedicate to the project. Stain offers a more natural wood look. Plus, it’s less expensive than exterior paint, and it’s easier to apply. But stain only lasts about two to three years, while paint can last up to a decade.
For inspiration:
BEHR® Wood Chip
KILZ® Redwood
Sherwin-Williams® English Walnut
Valspar® One-Coat Transparent Stain & Sealer
Sara Coleman contributed to this article.
You have a couple of options when choosing a durable pool deck coating. Epoxy is common and offers excellent stain and water resistance. Epoxy also withstands high temperatures and UV lighting, making it ideal for sunny spots. You can also add a coating to cement, which significantly lowers the temperature of the concrete, is environmentally safe, and makes cleanup a breeze.
It all comes down to your individual needs. Painting instead of staining a pool deck gives you more color options and provides fantastic water resistance. However, you must apply a primer, and the colors eventually fade or peel. Staining is user-friendly and offers great water resistance; plus, it penetrates the decking, making it last longer. There are fewer color and creative options with staining, and it requires a sealant.
Since pool deck paint faces high temperatures and UV lighting in addition to the elements, expect to repaint around every five years. Before you decide to repaint it, you’ll need to strip the surface and clean it thoroughly so the new paint can adhere to it correctly.
