Pool Deck Ideas for Above Ground Pools on a Budget

The cheapest way to make an above ground pool look intentional is a partial deck: a freestanding platform on one side, sized for the ladder and two lounge chairs, with gravel or lawn for the rest. You skip the cost of wrapping the whole pool and still get a safe entry and a place to sit.

Below are the above ground pool deck ideas I'd start with, the dimensions that keep a deck usable, and the mistakes that cost the most to fix later.

Save

What is the cheapest way to build a deck around an above ground pool?

Build less deck. A small entry landing at the top of the ladder is the lowest-cost option and solves the one thing a deck must do: let people get in and out safely. A side deck, say 10x12 feet, adds seating. A half-wrap or multi-level deck is where budgets climb quickly, because framing, railing and stairs all multiply.

Rectangles are also cheaper than curves. Even around a round pool, a square platform that meets the wall at one point needs fewer angled cuts and wastes less lumber. If your pool is oval, the same logic applies: put the deck on a straight side and leave the curved ends alone.

Which materials work best?

Wood

For wooden pool deck ideas on a budget, pressure-treated pine is the usual choice. It's easy to find and costs much less than cedar, redwood or composite. A semi-solid stain in a mid tone such as gray or walnut makes it look more expensive than it is. Avoid very dark stains: in direct summer sun they get hot enough to be uncomfortable on bare feet, and that matters around a pool.

Pine can splinter as it ages, so sand rails and boards before staining and reseal every year or two. A solid, paint-like stain fills small cracks if you want fewer splinters.

Composite

Composite needs less upkeep but costs noticeably more up front. I'd only choose it if you plan to stay in the house a long time and hate refinishing. On a tight budget, use it for the boards people actually walk on, if at all.

Gravel, pavers and concrete

You don't need decking everywhere. Pea gravel makes a cheap, permeable surround for a dining spot beyond the deck. Pavers and concrete pool deck ideas work for a ground-level patio next to the pool, but they can't replace a raised deck at the ladder, since the entry has to meet the pool wall height. For tile options on a patio, see these pool deck tile ideas.

If you have a dog, gravel is rough on paws near the water and holds heat. Keep the walking route from the house to the pool on smooth boards or a mat.

Save

What size should the deck be?

Scale decides whether a deck feels right. Penn State Extension defines it in garden design as the relative size of the elements of the whole design, including the house and the garden. A deck that's too small feels like a diving platform, and one that's too big swallows the yard.

• Lounging zone: at least 8 feet deep. A chaise is about 6.5 feet long, which leaves little room to walk past if the deck is narrower.
• Walkways: about 36 inches clear around furniture.
• Stairs: risers no taller than about 7.5 inches and treads at least 10 inches deep, all identical. Uneven steps are a real trip hazard on wet feet.
• Railings: codes commonly require 36 to 42 inches. As an architect, I'd go to 42 inches on a raised pool deck for a stronger sense of enclosure.

If space is tight, swap chaises for upright chairs, which have a much smaller footprint.

How do you hide the pool walls cheaply?

Skirting and planting do most of the work. Lattice or horizontal 1x4 slats spaced about an inch apart screen the area under the deck. Reed or bamboo fencing rolls stapled to posts are another low-cost cover for exposed pool walls.

Build a hinged door or removable panel into any skirting that covers the pump and filter. You'll need to reach that equipment regularly, and a sealed-in pump is a common and annoying mistake.

Plants help too. Tall ornamental grasses along the perimeter cost little. Penn State Extension's Deb Christopher, a Master Gardener, advises against single-species blocks: "If disease or pest problems arise, the entire monoculture planting may be killed. Instead, consider planting drifts or groups of single species, providing a patchwork-quilt effect." The same extension page says plastic or synthetic landscape cloth can increase erosion and water runoff, so skip it under gravel beds near the pool where possible.

Save

How do you build a simple freestanding deck?

1. Call your local building department first. Pool decks often need permits, and there are usually rules for self-closing gates and latch heights.
2. Set the foundation. Pre-cast concrete pier blocks on leveled, tamped ground are often enough for a low-budget build, but local code decides.
3. Keep the deck freestanding. Above ground pool walls aren't designed to carry a deck, so frame a separate rectangle, commonly with 2x8 or 2x10 pressure-treated joists.
4. Run boards perpendicular to the pool wall to cut fewer contoured edges and waste less.
5. Leave a gap of roughly 1/2 to 1 inch between the deck and the pool so movement from the water load doesn't rub the liner or top rail.
6. Build the railing from 4x4 posts, 2x4 rails and 2x2 balusters. Cutting it yourself is cheaper than pre-assembled sections.

With pressure-treated boards that are still wet, install them tight, since they shrink as they dry. Kiln-dried boards need about a 1/8-inch gap for drainage. If the structure is large or raised high, bring in a licensed contractor.

Save

Which budget level fits you?

I won't quote prices here, because lumber costs vary a lot by region and year. What I can compare is scope.

For most households, the mid option is the sweet spot.

Creative pool surround ideas that cost little

• Solar post caps that slip over 4x4 posts, so no electrician is needed for evening light.
• A 2x6 top rail instead of a 2x4, which gives a flat surface about 5.5 inches wide for a drink or sunscreen.
• A horizontal-slat privacy screen on the side facing close neighbors.
• Brackets on posts for hanging ferns or trailing ivy to soften the lines.
• Heavy-duty towel hooks on posts, so wet towels stay off the boards.
• A splash mat at the ladder to catch drips and keep wood from getting slick. Use polypropylene outdoor rugs, not indoor ones, which hold water against the wood.

If the pool is part of a bigger backyard plan, you might also like pool house ideas on a budget, or these sloped backyard ideas if your yard isn't level.

Save

Where should each zone go?

Put sunbathing on the side that gets afternoon sun, usually south or west. Place a bistro set (two chairs, a small table) in a 6x6 foot corner, ideally nearest the house so nobody carries trays across the yard. Keep the area around the ladder clear of furniture.

Frequently asked questions