Thread: Deck around a fibreglass pool.

I have to ask .... what is the point of that deck? I don't mean to be rude but from a design point of view it breaks a couple of simple rules and doesn't seem to add anything aesthetically or functionally to the space?

I'm curious BT. How do you mean 'breaks some rules'? Once he coats it it will act as a feature just like different coloured pavers or borders and the like. Aesthetically it's a matter of opinion but I'm curious to find out what design rules have been broken. Once again not rude just curious.

Cheers,
Dr - 307.

Well I'm not bagging Jaymans design..I'm questioning its rational.

The design rules I was thinking of are well not rules, more guides for instance:

Uniformity of materials
Form Vs Function
KISS.

When I see a design element I usually ask myself (as I have of Jay man) what is its use? does it have a function or does it add to the overall aesthetics.

In this case - unless there is a function of the deck - for example Jaymans family didn't want to lay on paving - I would say that the aesthetic appeal didn't warrant the effort of installing the deck.

But please let me point out.

1. Dr 307 is correct that it is all personal taste.
2. Often I have designed elements within a landscape that don't quite work or do not translate from the plan that well - that's how you learn.

In retrospect I have to say that pharmaboy 2's comment about having the deck raised would have seen it look better... Just my rambling thoughts though.

I took another look at the finished pics and I still like it. I would coat it in a dark color to also hide the screws a little. There probably could've been a little more planning there and maybe used more 'dummy' joists to support the board and had the screw lines match the paver joins so that if the paver joins were every 300mm then you could screw the boards down at every 600mm along every second paver join and span wouldn't matter cause you'd have the intermediate 'dummy' joist still supporting the board at the 300mm span of the decking board.

But I still wanna hear as I'm sure others do also about how he went about cutting the arc and the fun he had there.

Cheers,
Dr - 307.

P.S. BT - I'm gonna go with the Paslode Gas Framer. Thanks for your input....Cheers.

Thanks for the comments everyone !

Looks good. You would've had fun cutting the arc over the pools edge. Explain to the masses how you did it.
What are you coating it with?

It was that difficult... I had already made a cardboard template which I used to cut the marine ply to shape. So once the decking was down I laid the template in place, drew a chalk line and then used a jig saw to cut the shape. One hand held the jigsaw and the other grabbed the offcut and put it behind me. When all boards where cuts I then lightly filed the cut edge to smooth it out and finally sanded and rounded the edges, so it was more user friendly.

I have to ask .... what is the point of that deck? I don't mean to be rude but from a design point of view it breaks a couple of simple rules and doesn't seem to add anything aesthetically or functionally to the space?

I understand your question... really the only point of the deck was to break up the paving and we liked the look of the decking edge over hanging the water. It's really just a feature... We a have a large deck off the house which leads to the pool, so it helps tie the two areas together....As DR - 307 has said we'll probably finish it in a darker colour. The only practical reason for it (not the really the purpose for it) and it doesn't justify the work put into the deck... I have installed an over flow channel that runs under the deck and into a drain. This stop the pool over flowing in heavy rain.

As for the rules... well... I like to go outside the box and do things a little different and as you mentioned rules are just a guide. I hope this helps explain my reasoning behind it. I do agree though, that there was alot of work involved for something that has no practical reason. I am happy with the finished product though.

Thanks again for your all comments !!!

For anyone out there wanting to cut similar curves to jayman.....
Keeping a couple of bits of yellow tongue strip is handy or a long piece of small section dowel (?) would do the trick.

Jay-man, good to see you got the crayons out on that piece of cardboard .

Cheers,
Dr - 307.

Originally Posted by Bleedin Thumb

I have to ask .... what is the point of that deck? I don't mean to be rude but from a design point of view it breaks a couple of simple rules and doesn't seem to add anything aesthetically or functionally to the space?

I edited my previous post cause i was feeling negative on the day but second your line of thinking... I would have found some other feature other than decking cause now you have given yourself a maintenance job and all for pine decking....