How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Pool Deck? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $300 - $7,650
Painting a pool deck will cost between $300 and $7,650 for a range of pool deck sizes, or about $3,000 for a standard 600-square-foot area.
The average cost to paint a pool deck runs from $3 to $8.50 per square foot. That means for a standard 600-foot deck, you could pay between $300 to $7,650. But decks come in all shapes and sizes. While DIY painting a small wooden deck might only cost $300, splashing out to hire a contractor to apply epoxy paint to the concrete deck of a luxury 900-foot in-ground pool could set you back $9,000 or more.
If you know the scope of your project, read on to help calculate how much you need to budget to refresh your pool deck with some new paint.
- Average
- $3,000
- Low end
- $300
- high end
- $9,000
Pool Deck Cost Factors
The cost of painting a pool deck is wide-ranging and depends on several factors. These include the size and condition of the deck, its material, the paint type you choose, and whether you DIY some or all of the project. To save you from blowing your budget, consider the following.
Pool Deck Material
The pool decking material makes a big impact on your final budget. The most common type of pool decking material for painting is concrete, but some above-ground pools feature wooden decking that you might want to coat.
A solvent-based epoxy paint is typically applied to paint a concrete pool deck. These paints are a more significant investment than wood deck paint, and labor costs are higher because they are more tricky to apply.
The average cost to paint a concrete pool deck ranges from $4 to $8.50 per square foot compared with $3 to $5 per square foot for wooden deck painting.
Size
This one is simple: the bigger the deck, the more costly the paint job. The average size of a pool deck is around 600 square feet, but dimensions vary depending on garden space and pool type—a petite above-ground plunge pool differs greatly from a large, luxurious in-ground design. Using the average $3 to $8.50 per square foot costs, here’s a rough estimate based on pool deck size.
| Pool Deck Dimensions | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10’x16’ (160 square feet) | $480 – $1,360 |
| 15’x24’ (360 square feet) | $1,080 – $3,060 |
| 18’x 33’ (594 square feet) | $1,780 – $5,050 |
| 21’x 41’ (861 square feet) | $2,580 – $7,320 |
Type of Paint
You shouldn’t use just any old paint on your pool deck, even if it’s just wood. Pool deck paint contains additions like strong anti-slip, UV protective, chemical, heat, mold, and mildew-resistant properties. These tougher formulas mean the materials and, thus, the cost to paint your pool are more expensive than average deck painting costs. Some types of pool deck paint are less expensive than others.
A gallon of wooden pool deck paint usually covers around 100 square feet with two coats. A bespoke wooden pool deck paint or exterior acrylic paint might set you back between $30 to $100 per gallon.
The average epoxy pool paint costs $100 to $200 per gallon. However, it is typically sold in kits with two one-gallon tins you must mix. For 100 square feet of concrete deck, you’ll likely need around one mixed gallon of epoxy to complete two coats.
Depending on the surface and paint type, you might also need to invest in a surface primer, which could set you back up to another $100 per gallon. You need a primer for new, bare surfaces.
More affordable acrylic enamel paint is an option for concrete decks, but they typically need recoating every couple of years. They aren’t the best investment nor a popular option.
Pool Deck Design
Pool deck designs that are more intricate than a simple, flat surface cost more to paint. If you want everything to match, you must factor in extra paint and labor time for features like wooden deck railings, stairways, or shade pergolas.
Labor
Budget anywhere from $1.50 to $5 per square foot to hire a professional to paint your pool deck. This varies depending on whether the deck is a straightforward or complex style, wooden or concrete material, and how much prep work is involved.
Labor costs are higher to paint a concrete pool deck with epoxy paint than a standard wooden deck. Epoxy paints are tricky and time-consuming to apply. A coat can take up to a week to cure, so professional painters often have to make two trips to complete the job.
Pool Deck Prep
Proper prep is crucial for an even, long-lasting paint job. How much work this involves depends on the deck’s age, material, and condition. Whether you’re painting wood or concrete, you need a clean, debris-free surface. Professional pool deck painters wrap these costs into their quote.
Wooden decks typically need a power wash and sanding if the surface is in a sorry state before adding the primer or paint. Concrete decks also need a power wash, degreasing, and primer application if the surface is bare.
You can apply new epoxy on top if an epoxy coating is already on the surface. But if you’re working with an acrylic base, the professionals will need a chemical stripper to return the surface to its original state before you can put epoxy on top. Heavy prep work like this can add a further $2 to $4 per square foot. Removing paint from a deck made from wood is a simpler task you can tackle yourself.
Cost to Paint a Pool Deck Yourself
You can make significant savings by painting a pool deck yourself. Expect to pay between $1.00 and $3.50 per square foot for materials and tools.
Wooden pool deck painting is less challenging and something most savvy DIYers can tackle with time and attention to detail. It’s still possible to paint a concrete pool deck with epoxy paint yourself, but it’s not a challenge for the faint-hearted.
Tackling the project on your own means your main cost will be the paint itself. And you might need to hire or buy some tools if you don’t have a power washer, paint sprayer, brushes, or sander.
Cost to DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor
While you can reduce your bill by at least 60% by painting a pool deck yourself, sometimes investing the extra $1.50 to $5 per square foot to hire a professional deck painter near you is worthwhile, especially if you are painting a concrete pool deck. Applying epoxy paint is tricky, and getting it wrong can result in premature cracking, mold and mildew build-up, and slippery surfaces.
Cost of Common Pool Deck Painting Add-Ons
Want to save on other jobs around your pool while you have the deck painters in? It’s worth considering if there are any other projects a pool deck contractor near you or a deck painter can tackle simultaneously. They’ll often offer multi-project discounts so you don't disrupt your pool again too soon.
Think about whether these general jobs are on your to-do list so you can potentially save on the cost:
Swimming pool maintenance costs: $110 to $350
Swimming pool repair costs: $240 to $1,100
Fence painting costs: $750 to $4,250
Additional Costs to Consider
You have to factor in all the elements above when calculating the cost of painting a pool deck. But a couple of other factors might influence how much you need to spend.
Repairs
If your wooden or concrete deck is in disrepair, don’t bash straight on with the paint job. Repairs or even resurfacing might be in the cards to prevent minor issues from becoming major, affecting the longevity of your pool deck.
With wooden decks, you’ll want to address issues with warped, loose, rotting, or cracking deck boards. You should address serious cracks, chips, or sealing issues in concrete pool decks. The average cost of deck repairs is $2,000, but substantial concrete pool deck repairs could be more.
When a concrete surface is old and worn, you may need to budget to resurface the entire deck. The cost to resurface a swimming pool made from concrete is around $6,500 per 1,000 feet. This also applies to concrete pool decking.
Maintenance
Proper deck maintenance and cleaning help keep your pool lounging space in top-notch condition longer. Annual power washing—providing you don’t turn the power up too high—is good practice. If you don’t want to do it yourself, you can pay around $300 to hire a professional pressure washer near you.
Tips to Reduce Cost While Painting a Pool Deck
Trying to trim down your pool deck painting budget? Implement some of these cost-saving strategies.
Do Your Research on Paint Brands
You don’t have to go with the most expensive luxury brands to ensure a quality finish. Do your research or speak to your pool deck painting contractor to determine which brands have the reviews and formula you want.
Roll Up Your Sleeves for the Prep Work
Even if you’re not confident enough to paint the pool deck yourself, that doesn’t mean you can’t tackle some or all of the prep work. Power washing is an easy DIY task; your contractor should shave something off your quote if they don’t have to deal with it.
Prep Properly
Don’t be superficial with prep. If you rush this stage, it can significantly impact the quality and longevity of your finish—there’s nothing worse than blotchy, uneven paintwork. You might need to get a pro to help you correct the blunder if you notice premature peeling paint, chipping, or mold and mildew buildup.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a smooth, already bonded concrete surface, painting a concrete pool deck can be a great way to brighten up the area and add longevity. If the surface has another covering or a different type of paint has been used previously, you won’t be able to paint it without removing the existing coating. Wooden decks benefit from painting as it helps to keep them watertight. Quality pool deck paints also help make the surface less slippery and less likely to gather mold and mildew or prematurely crack.
Whether you paint or stain your pool deck depends on the material and your own preference. Painting a wooden pool deck is simple and in many cases can protect the wood from water damage, but painting a concrete pool deck can be more difficult. You may wish to stain concrete instead, which will last longer than paint and means you don’t have to worry about bonding to the surface.
A properly applied pool deck paint typically lasts three to five years before it needs redoing. Some formulas can last 10 years if care and conditions are right. Regularly cleaning a painted deck will likely increase the paint's longevity, and it’ll last longer if you live in a climate without extremes or sudden temperature changes.