Pool Decks & Patios in Bethesda, MD

Pool decks and patios do more work than they get credit for. They carry foot traffic and furniture, shed rain and splash away from the pool, hide plumbing and bonding, and set the look of the whole yard. In Bethesda they also go through freeze-thaw cycles every winter, so the base, the joints and the slope matter as much as the material you pick.

Materials that suit the area

Bluestone and other natural stone are common here because they match the brick and stone of older Bethesda homes. Travertine stays cooler underfoot than darker stone and has a soft, matte look. Concrete pavers offer the widest color range, and single units can be pulled up and relaid when roots or settling shift them. Poured and stamped concrete are the most economical per square foot. HomeGuide lists installed costs per square foot of about $5 to $15 for poured concrete, $8 to $19 for stamped, $10 to $17 for pavers, $15 to $32 for flagstone and $16 to $35 for natural stone.

Freeze-thaw and drainage

Montgomery County rates concrete weathering as severe and designs for a 30-inch frost depth. Moisture trapped in the base under a deck freezes, and that can heave pavers, crack slabs and push coping out of line. We build on a compacted aggregate base, slope the deck at least a quarter inch per foot away from the pool, and include deck drains where water would otherwise pond. Where the deck meets the coping, an expansion joint lets each move independently. Sealing stone and pavers helps them resist water and salt, though we suggest skipping de-icing salt on pool decks altogether.

How much deck do you need?

A narrow 3- or 4-foot walkway around the pool is enough to walk on but not to lounge. Plan for a wider area on the sunny side for chaises and a separate dining or seating area closer to the house. A good rule is to sketch the furniture first. On a small lot, it can make sense to give up a couple of feet of pool length to gain a usable deck.

Stormwater and impervious surface

A large stone or concrete deck adds impervious area, which sends more rainwater toward neighbors, the street or a stream valley. If the overall project disturbs more than 5,000 square feet or moves 100 cubic yards of soil, Montgomery County's sediment control permit and Tree Canopy Law can apply. Permeable pavers or gravel areas beyond the main deck can reduce runoff. We plan drainage so water goes to the lawn or a dry well, not into your basement or the neighbor's yard.

Raised decks and slopes

On a sloped lot, part of the pool surround may need a raised deck or a retaining wall. HomeGuide lists raised composite decking at about $40 to $80 per square foot. Raised decks and walls need their own structural design and may need a separate permit. Any deck within the barrier also needs to keep the fence non-climbable, so we watch for planters, benches and walls that could act as a step.

Updating an existing deck

Older pools often have cracked concrete or coping that has shifted. HomeGuide puts a concrete resurface at $3 to $12 a square foot, but if the base has failed, replacement is the better value. We check what is underneath before recommending either.