Patio & Pool Deck Coatings in Lodi, CA

Patio and pool deck coatings take a beating that indoor floors never see. In Lodi, an uncovered patio or pool deck sits in full sun for months. Wikipedia's climate data for the city shows about 65 days a year at or above 90°F, with a record high of 111°F. Outdoor coatings here have to resist UV, stay textured when wet, and not get too hot to walk on.

Why plain epoxy is not used outdoors

Standard epoxy is strong indoors, but sunlight breaks it down. It yellows, chalks and can lose gloss within a season or two in direct sun. For outdoor slabs we use UV-stable systems, usually a polyaspartic or other aliphatic topcoat, often over a primer that bonds to the concrete. HomeGuide rates polyaspartic's UV resistance as excellent, which is why it is our usual choice for open patios.

Heat on the deck

Darker colors get hot in the sun. For pool decks we steer toward light colors and textured finishes. Some owners prefer a cool deck style surface, a textured cementitious coating made to stay cooler underfoot. HomeGuide notes that Kool Deck helps lower surface temperatures and prices it at about $4 to $6 per square foot. We go over both options at the estimate so you can choose based on look, feel and budget.

Slip resistance

Pool decks are wet much of the summer, and patios get wet from rain and fog in winter. Every outdoor coating we install has texture built in, either from a broadcast aggregate, a flake layer or a knockdown texture. We set the level of texture for how the space is used. A pool surround needs more grip than a covered patio under a dining table.

Covered patios and outdoor rooms

Covered patios, breezeways and outdoor kitchens still get side sun, dust and rain blowing in. Many Lodi homes from the 1970s and 1980s have covered back patios on slabs poured with the house. These often have hairline cracks, old stains from planters and grills, and paint or sealer from past owners. A flake system with a polyaspartic topcoat works well here and is easy to hose off.

What we check before quoting

• Cracks, especially along pool coping and expansion joints
• Old coatings, paints or sealers that need to come off
• Drainage: where water pools and runs
• Shade and sun exposure through the day
• Whether the slab is sound enough for a coating, or needs repair first

Caring for outdoor coatings

Rinse with a hose and use a mild cleaner as needed. Keep pool chemicals off the deck surface. Move heavy planters now and then so water does not sit under them. Outdoor topcoats wear faster than indoor ones, and a refresh coat after some years keeps the deck looking new.