Your Deck Over Pool Guide: What to Know About Covering a Pool With a Deck

A swimming pool can transform your backyard into a personal oasis, especially on hot summer days. But it takes time and money to keep a pristine pool, and swimming pool maintenance costs can swell. Over time, what was once a treasured backyard feature can morph into a headache. If your pool has become an unsightly fixture or an expensive nuisance, you may consider a pool-to-deck conversion. Read on to learn about a deck over pool solution.

Can You Cover a Pool With a Deck?

If you've decided that you no longer want your pool, you have another option besides filling it in or totally removing it—you can cover your pool with a deck. This is a common practice for homeowners who want to avoid the expense of replastering, filling in, or excavating their unused swimming pool. A pool-to-deck conversion gives you the benefit of a safe, covered pool area without the permanence of a solid deck built over the space.

4 Reasons to Build a Deck Over a Pool

It may be time to retire your pool if it's becoming more of a hassle than a pleasure. Here are four main reasons why homeowners opt for a pool-to-deck conversion:

1. An unused pool: It may seem obvious, but if you barely use your pool, and it takes up valuable space in your yard, you may be ready to call it quits. If you’re more interested in lounging on a deck instead of splashing in the water, it makes sense to convert your pool area into a deck. 

2. Cost: A swimming pool’s average monthly maintenance cost is $110 to $350, depending on the size and type of the pool. Perhaps you’re looking to cut back on household costs, and your pool is simply not at the top of your priority list.

3. Safety: Pools can conjure safety concerns, from chemicals to drownings. Most drownings in kids aged one to four occur in swimming pools, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

4. Water waste: Leaks and evaporation can lead to a significant amount of water use each year. This can be especially concerning if you live in an area with water restrictions.

What to Know Before a Pool-to-Deck Conversion

Before installing a deck over a pool, it will have to be drained and cleaned. Try not to drain your pool until you have a plan ready. If your pool is left drained with no other measures in place, the floor can lift and the walls can fall in because of a lack of water pressure. 

Pros of Covering a Pool With a Deck

A pool-to-deck conversion allows you to keep the swimming pool's equity but remove the maintenance duties and safety concerns from your daily life. In certain areas of the country, a well-kept, inground swimming pool can increase your home's value by up to 7%. Installing an inground pool costs around $55,000 on average. If you think there's ever a chance you might sell your home, covering a pool with a deck could be a beneficial, financially sound option, as the decking can be removed.

Cons of Placing a Deck Over a Pool

There are a few drawbacks to covering a pool with a deck, especially if the deck is meant to be a temporary measure.

The two main disadvantages are the need to remove the deck and future resurfacing of the pool should you decide to use it again. Depending on how long the water was out of the pool, it might need to be resurfaced or replastered before you can use it again. The average cost to resurface a swimming pool is $6,500 for a 1,000-square-foot area. But this cost will depend on several factors, such as the pool's type and finish and materials needed to complete the project.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Deck Over a Pool?

The cost for a pool-to-deck conversion depends on several factors, including the company or contractor you choose, the pool's shape and size, the deck's material, and the pool's surface. Compare quotes from a few different companies and contractors before making a decision. For context, a pool deck costs between $4,000 and $10,000 to install a 600- to 900-square-foot deck around an inground pool. 

Alternative Methods for Covering a Pool With a Deck

If a pool-to-deck conversion is unappealing or you’re unsure of what to do, there are other methods to safely and effectively retire your pool. Investing in a sliding deck could give you seasonal access to your pool, while alleviating some maintenance and safety concerns. You could also create a new version of a backyard oasis by turning the space into a garden. If all else fails, there’s the option of removing the swimming pool from your property.

Install a Sliding Deck 

Sliding deck pool covers come in varying shapes, sizes, and designs, but one characteristic remains the same—it provides a hard surface that slides over the pool. Often, these materials are strong enough to support patio furniture.

These decks give you more usable space, increase safety, and protect the pool. Sliding decks can be expensive, ranging in cost from $25,000 to $75,000—in many cases, the amount rivals what it costs to install an inground pool.

Create a Backyard Garden

This might be an option if you have a thriving green thumb and would like more gardening space. Before starting this project, check to see if there are any needed permits. Also, if you decide to sell your home, you may have to disclose that the greenhouse was once a pool. This project will require you to drill holes in the bottom of the pool for drainage. Plus, you might consider removing any decking around the area.

Remove the Swimming Pool

Once your yard has recovered from the demolition process, removing an inground pool would eliminate maintenance costs and safety issues. It takes a lot to install an inground pool, so removing one can be a fairly large-scale project, involving contractors and possibly requiring a demolition permit. The removal cost can range between $2,700 and $19,000, depending on the pool’s size and depth, but most homeowners will pay an average of $6,000.