Wednesday, June 1, 2011

A Mediterranean Style Pool Project

The pool project is now at the pool deck stage. Pool deck options are unlimited, but these homeowners are most interested in a surface that is safe, user-friendly and inexpensive, but at the same time, one that is attractive and complimentary to the pool area. Another consideration is the style of the home. For a Mediterranean style home, a rustic textured finish is highly desirable. They're going with salt-finished concrete.

CREATING A SALT-FINISH POOL DECK
Salt-finished concrete is an inexpensive way to dress up the pool. The job's first few steps in creating a salt-finish pool deck are the same as they are for any concrete slab. Concrete professionals set concrete forms and install reinforcing material. 

Once the pool deck is formed and reinforced, professionals pour the concrete and then finish the concrete. When the concrete is firm but not completely set, coarse rock salt is broadcast over the surface. The salt is partially embedded by tamping down with a magnesium float or using a roller to press in the salt.

The salt is allowed to stay on the deck overnight and the pool deck is cleaned the following day with a pressure-washer. The water dissolves the salt, leaving a series of irregular dimples where the salt crystals had been.

The random indentations produced by this process create a non-slip surface with a weathered and textured Mediterranean look.

In our July blog see how the homeowners stain the concrete deck and how Accents of Salado helps them create a Mediterranean loggia to be enjoyed by family and friends. We can hardly wait to start decorating! Be sure to check back with us in July.