Concrete Pool Decks Offer Lasting Beauty Just in Time ForSummer

Decorative options are limitless for homeowners who want to create home retreats

Yucaipa, CA April 23, 2003- As the weather heats up, homeowners across the country are heading outdoors to enjoy the sun -- and the beautiful settings created by decorative concrete pool decks. In recent months, contractors have reported a surge in decorative concrete use outdoors, and pool decks are part of the trend.

"There's a whole new luxurious atmosphere in entertaining guests and spending time outdoors," says Tom Ralston, owner of Tom Ralston Concrete in Santa Cruz, Calif. Ralston says residents in his area are taking home improvement outside with elaborate outdoor living areas, and using concrete to make their dreams a reality: "I take whatever abstract elements the homeowner is envisioning and, with creativity and passion, bring them to life with concrete."

Techniques like stamping, staining, coloring and stenciling concrete can be incorporated with exposed aggregate or complimentary tile and stone work to create an unlimited array of options. Installing concrete is often more cost-effective than using natural materials, and concrete's durability means homeowners can enjoy their creation for generations.

Concrete pool decks aren't limited to traditional warm weather locales, either. In Rowley, Mass., Bill Guthro's Distinctive Concrete installs all kinds of outdoor hardscapes, including pool decks. He even spices up older decks with a staining system that, according to Guthro, "transforms old, worn concrete into a new and exciting look with a diverse coloring effect that creates an aesthetically rich and variegated finish."

"Homeowners love the beauty and durability of concrete for outdoor applications," says Jim Peterson, owner of ConcreteNetwork.com. "We expect to see growth in this area for many years to come."

Started in 1999, ConcreteNetwork.com is a Web site for anyone interested in the many facets of the concrete industry, such as interior floors, concrete countertops, stamped concrete, and much more. The site provides buyers with a plethora of information and the local resources to get the job done.