The Best Wood for Pool Decks Isn't Actually Wood
So you think that your swimming pool will look great with a new wooden deck? You're almost correct. While wooden decking around a pool undeniably looks great, the wood itself isn't really up to the task. But why is this? And does it mean you shouldn't have a wooden deck around the pool?
Reactive
You could argue that wood ceases to be a living thing as soon as the tree is chopped down. But even when it has been milled and processed, wood is still extremely reactive. It responds to its environment in a very distinct way. It becomes dry and brittle when exposed to heat and UV light and expands and contracts in the presence of moisture — whether this is the relative humidity in the air, rain or splashes of water from a swimming pool. Treating wood (such as with a laminate) has some effect in taming this reactiveness, but it doesn't go far enough when it comes to pool decking.
Composite
Many wooden pool decks aren't actually wood but are in fact made of composite decking. This is a literal composite of two primary materials (generally hardwood and polypropylene). The polypropylene component means that the decking won't respond to moisture. Water simply runs off the surface of the decking. This also means that it won't develop mould and mildew, as natural wood may do when continually exposed to moisture.
UV Light
You should opt for a composite decking material that is UV resistant, with the resistance embedded within the material itself. While this might need to be occasionally reapplied (with occasionally being the keyword), this type of decking is safer and more comfortable underfoot, as it's far less likely to splinter. The decking should also have a slip-resistant finish, to protect your family from taking a tumble on the deck, due to the traction built into the deck's surface.
Upkeep
Composite decking is manufactured wood, as opposed to wood that has simply been harvested. This means it can be slightly more expensive than wood decking. However, when you consider the ease of installation, along with the minimal upkeep you can expect and the specific purpose of the decking, it's a cost worth paying.
So while you can easily have a brand new wooden deck around your swimming pool, you might not ultimately want it. Instead, consider composite decking, which is essentially refined wood with a few handy tricks up its sleeve.