[bark4me]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Pavers get very hot in the sun. We prefer cool deck (knock down?) coating. It's hopper-sprayed and then “knocked down”with a concrete trowel.

Cool deck will peel within time. Been there done that

[Mike123]

Originally Posted by Miboater

We are finally both retired and down here full time after being on and off for close to three years. We are putting in a pool and getting quotes. I was planning on getting a concrete deck with a coating like Kool Deck. But getting quotes a few companies were pushing pavers as an alternative to the concrete and I was surprised that the cost was pretty much the same.

I am curious if anyone on this site has had both and would recommend one over the other. I like the look of pavers but I would think the concrete would be a lot easier to maintain. I'm a DIYer and would most likely doing all my own maintenance.

Kool deck is by far the best, however having said that close attention is required during installation expansion slots must be put at every conner and right behind the skimmer
very important to install at all stress points this will keep your kool deck looking great for years. Most people do not demand these expansion joints and end up with cracked concrete. Take water from the pool and clean your deck .

[Miboater]

Originally Posted by nn0wheremann

Would you care to share the type, brand, etc of caulk for the driveway cuts? We came back from a two month vacation to find weeds flourishing in the driveway.

I used Rapid Set self-leveling sealant about 7 years ago up in Michigan with really good results. The only area that I had any issues were I had a slab that heaved and it pulled away from one side but I don't think there would be an issue here. The sealant comes in few different colors to match the concrete.

There is a good utube video on the "Michael Builds" utube channel called "How to seal expansion joints" that is very helpful. I wish I watched it first as it would have saved me some headaches but I'll use the tricks this time.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by nn0wheremann

Would you care to share the type, brand, etc of caulk for the driveway cuts? We came back from a two month vacation to find weeds flourishing in the driveway.

Sorry, I did this several years ago, however I do remember it being from ACE and stating 25 year life on the tube. This was done AFTER the driveway was finished, if you want the gory details of how I did this without ruining the finish send me a PM and we can talk over the phone, but it involved a LOT of painters tape.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by LoisR

If it's not too late reconsider getting a pool. Initial cost is exorbitant and so are the maintenance and ongoing taxes.

You forgot to add one important thing. The daily enjoyment one gets from having their own private pool, priceless!

[Ptmcbriz]

We had a pool built by T&D a year ago with a Kool deck. Best decision! It took a week to put it down. Two base coats, different color accent coat, third different color accent ( think flecking paint), then clear top coat. It is tough, cool to the feet on hottest days , slip resistant when wet, and the multiple colors are beautiful. No maintenance except hose it off. Great warranty. T&D cut the expansion joints throughout the deck and when the Kool deck went down they made sure to clean the joints so they didn’t get covered over with Kool deck, including the skimmer cover, autofill cover, and all the drain holes throughout the deck. It’s expensive but worth it.

[Packerprincess]

the concrete will crack. go with pavers

[Lancer]

We built our first home in Florida in 1990. We put in a pool with Chattahoochee Stone deck. Water drained and didn’t puddle. Wasn’t slippery and looked good. Downside it needed to be sealed once a year.

[cthherod@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Miboater

We are finally both retired and down here full time after being on and off for close to three years. We are putting in a pool and getting quotes. I was planning on getting a concrete deck with a coating like Kool Deck. But getting quotes a few companies were pushing pavers as an alternative to the concrete and I was surprised that the cost was pretty much the same.

I am curious if anyone on this site has had both and would recommend one over the other. I like the look of pavers but I would think the concrete would be a lot easier to maintain. I'm a DIYer and would most likely doing all my own maintenance.

We’ve had both and prefer pavers. Concrete cracks, and painted concrete flakes off. Pavers (at least lighter colors) are not hot, and weeds are not an issue, if you use some weed killer to spray occasionally. If properly grouted (polymeric silica, not sand) and sealed every few years, pavers are superior. Contact me if you’d like to see ours.