Restoring Comfort & Safety to a Hillside Pool Deck in San Antonio
The Canyons at Scenic Loop, a residential development in San Antonio, sits high above the surrounding landscape with dramatic views and custom homes built into the hills. When a homeowner in the development decided it was time for pool deck resurfacing, he contacted SUNDEK of San Antonio to come take a look.
SUNDEK of San Antonio resurfaced a pool deck at a residence at The Canyons at Scenic Loop in San Antonio, creating a safe, comfortable space for a family to lounge at the pool while enjoying the views beyond.The homeowner already had a relationship with San Antonio, having hired them to work on a previous job. In fact, his son had also had work completed by SUNDEK at his own home. Both experiences were great, so he reached out again. This time his concerns about his pool deck were about more than just appearance.
The existing pool deck sat approximately 2.5 inches below the pool coping around the perimeter of the pool. In addition to creating a spot for water to collect, it also posed a significant tripping hazard for family members and guests. The homeowners wanted to eliminate the height difference and create a safer space where people could comfortably gather.
In addition to the safety issue, the deck itself had become increasingly unpleasant to use. The existing surface was coated with epoxy, which became extremely hot in the Texas sun, turned slippery when wet, and felt uncomfortable under bare feet. The homeowners were looking for a solution that would improve safety, comfort, and appearance all at once.
Get a free estimateA Better Surface for Poolside Living
After evaluating the deck, SUNDEK of San Antonio recommended resurfacing it with Classic Texture with Custom Scoreline effects.
Classic Texture is SUNDEK’s original spray texture overlay system and remains one of the company’s most popular pool deck finishes. Homeowners appreciate it because it provides a slip-resistant surface, stays cooler than plain concrete, brick, or tile, and creates a comfortable texture for bare feet. The acrylic finish also helps prevent dirt, oils, and chemicals from penetrating the surface, making maintenance easier while providing a durable, long-lasting decorative coating.
With the Custom Scoreline technique, SUNDEK uses hand-cut lines to create a pattern. The scorelines add visual interest while helping disguise existing imperfections and movement-related concerns within the concrete.
Preparing the Existing Deck
The homeowners were pleased with the proposal, and SUNDEK moved forward with the installation. Because the existing surface was epoxy, proper preparation was critical.
The crew performed an aggressive grind to completely remove the old coating and create a surface profile that would allow the new Classic Texture system to bond correctly. Without this step, the new coating would not achieve the long-term adhesion required for a pool deck exposed to constant sun, water, and foot traffic.
The Challenge of Building on a Cliff
The project’s location created a unique engineering challenge. This property sits on one of the highest peaks in The Canyons development, with the pool positioned near the edge of a cliff. “Because the pool sits on the edge of a cliff, movement is quite a concern and a challenge,” says Craig Roohan, General Manager at SUNDEK of San Antonio.
To help manage potential movement, SUNDEK created a 3- to 5-foot gunite shelf with joints and joint sealant designed to accommodate shifting and reduce stress on the deck surface. Gunite, a specialized concrete mixture commonly used for structural stabilization, provided additional support in this challenging environment.
Crews were presented with a challenge: masking off the pool and other areas before installation on top of a windy hilltop.Battling the Wind
Elevation brought another obstacle: strong daily winds. Before applying decorative coatings, crews must carefully mask surrounding areas to protect the home, landscaping, and pool from overspray. At this hilltop location, the wind made that process significantly more difficult than usual.
Despite the conditions, SUNDEK of San Antonio successfully completed the masking, preparation, and installation, delivering a clean, professional finish across the entire pool deck.
A Safer, Cooler, More Enjoyable Pool Deck
When the project was complete, the homeowners were thrilled with the transformation. The new surface dramatically improved the functionality of the pool area, eliminating the trip hazard that had concerned the family.
This before-and-after photo shows the significant difference in elevation between the deck and coping before SUNDEK of San Antonio resolved the issue. Previously, the deck was 2.5 inches lower than the coping, creating a tripping hazard. After SUNDEK’s work, the deck is a safer place to hang out and doesn’t create an unwanted spot for water to collect.Just as important, the deck is now cooler, slip-resistant, and comfortable under bare feet, making it a much more inviting place to spend time outdoors. Even on hot Texas days, the surface remains comfortable enough for homeowners and guests to linger by the pool, turning the space into a safer and more enjoyable gathering area for years to come.
Contact Us About Your Decorative Concrete Project
At SUNDEK of San Antonio, we are proud to repair and resurface concrete in locations such as the Canyons at Scenic Loop and surrounding areas. We cover San Antonio and all the major cities in the area including Boerne, Bulverde, Canyon Lake, Castle Hills, Cibolo, Fair Oaks Ranch, Garden Ridge, Helotes, Hollywood Park, New Braunfels, Schertz, Shavano Park, Spring Branch, and Terrell Hills.
Call us: (210) 491-0280
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