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When you live in Jacksonville, Florida, an inviting backyard pool and deck aren’t just amenities, they’re essential to making the most of year-round outdoor living. Coastal sunshine, humid nights, and warm springs create the perfect setting for relaxation, entertaining, and family time. Yet over time, pool decks show their age: cracks, faded surfaces, uneven textures, heat retention, and general wear and tear become more than cosmetic, they compromise safety, comfort and curb appeal.

Earlier this year, our client in the Jacksonville area was ready to give their backyard poolscape a full refresh. The existing deck surface was showing signs of its age and use: worn texture, uneven color, perhaps previous patch jobs, and mostly a feeling that the space was holding them back from fully enjoying the outdoors. Enter the full-deck remodel.

Assessment & Planning: Why a Remodel Was Due

In Jacksonville, pool decks must contend with Florida’s intense sun, seasonal humidity, and outdoor-living expectations. Locally, professionals note that cracked, uneven or overly-hot decks are among the top signs that a pool area needs updating.

Our homeowner recognized exactly that,  the surface was older, showing wear, and even though the pool itself still functioned fine, the deck was limiting the feel of the space. They wanted three things: a deck that looked great, one that stayed comfortable underfoot in hot weather, and one that wouldn’t show dirt too quickly (because living here means constant outdoor use and fresh air). The process began with selecting the right resurfacing system and a color palette that works in Jacksonville’s climate.

Choosing the Right System & Colors

For this remodel we installed the CTI Acrylic Resurfacing System over the older deck surface. This high-performance acrylic overlay is ideal for pool decks because it provides a durable, non-slip finish, good thermal performance (important in our Florida heat), and the ability to customize color and texture.
In choosing color, the homeowner zeroed in on “neutral but not dull.” The goal: a tone that would not show dirt easily, but also wouldn’t bake under the Florida sun and reflect the light rather than absorbing it. The final scheme: a sandstone skim coat base, enriched with chocolate and desert-beige highlight colors, with a chocolate-slate accent design around the perimeter of the pool and spa area.
Why these choices?

• Sandstone gives a warm, natural tone that blends with outdoor surroundings and Florida landscaping.

• Chocolate and desert beige highlights introduce subtle contrast so the deck doesn’t look flat, but still stays within a neutral, relaxing palette.

• The chocolate slate perimeter serves as a framing device, visually defines the pool/spa boundary, adds subtle but intentional design detail, and helps direct the eye toward the pool.
  Together, these choices produce a deck that looks high-end, yet comfortable and resilient, especially tailored for the Jacksonville outdoor environment.

The Transformation Process

1. Surface preparation: The old deck needed cleaning, minor repairs, leveling, crack sealing, and priming to ensure the new overlay would bond properly and perform well under Florida’s conditions.

2. Application of the acrylic resurfacing system: The CTI system was applied as a skim coat in the sandstone base, then accent colors and textures were layered. Because we were in a warm-weather climate, scheduling and curing were timed to avoid extremes of humidity and temperature, ensuring the finish would cure properly and remain stable.

3. Highlighting and accenting: After the base coat, the chocolate/desert beige highlights were applied to add depth and interest. Then the chocolate-slate design was incorporated around the perimeter of the pool and spa, giving that defined edge detail and upgrading the aesthetics significantly.

4. Finishing touches & integration: With the deck surface transformed, attention turned to how the space would be used. Because the homeowner was looking ahead to the warming weather and planning to relax more outdoors, we added a final feature: a four-piece ledger waterfall, installed using the Rico Rock system. The waterfall serves as both a visual focal point and a soothing sound element, turning the pool deck not just into a surface to walk on, but into an oasis to linger in.

Results: A Jacksonville-Ready Outdoor Space

The outcome is a dramatic transformation that matches Jacksonville’s lifestyle and climate. Some of the immediate benefits:

• Visual impact: The neutral sandstone base with subtle highlight tones delivers a fresh, clean, upscale look. The chocolate slate border adds definition and sophistication, much more than a plain or worn deck surface.

• Comfort in the Florida sun: Because the finish was chosen with heat-reflection and surface-temperature in mind, the deck stays cooler underfoot than older surfaces that absorb more heat. That means more comfortable bare-feet and less reluctance to use the outdoor space during hotter days.

• Low maintenance: Neutral tones help hide dirt, dust and footprints. Given Jacksonville’s outdoor-living rhythm (storms, pollen, leaves, sand near the beaches), selecting a deck surface that conceals wear between cleanings is a smart move.

• Added feature value: The four-piece ledger waterfall elevates the space from functional to resort-style. It gives the homeowner a place to go, to sit, to unwind. For Jacksonville homeowners who use their outdoor space often, that feature helps make the deck more than just an accessory, it becomes a destination.

• Outdoor longevity: The proper resurfacing system and preparation mean the deck is built to hold up under Florida’s sun, humidity and other elements. When decks are neglected or show cracking and damage, they become safety issues. By addressing the surface proactively, the homeowner hit a piece of preventive maintenance while gaining aesthetics and usability.

Why Jacksonville Homeowners Should Consider a Full Deck Remodel

If you’re a homeowner in Jacksonville (or the beaches, Ortega, Arlington, Southbank areas), you understand how important your outdoor space is. Some of the key motivations for a pool deck remodel in this area:

• Climate demands: Sun, humidity, rain, all of these impact outdoor surfaces. A surface that looks fine five years ago may now be stained, cracked or excessively hot.

• Outdoor living as extension of the home: In Jacksonville, backyards are not afterthoughts, they’re central to lifestyle. That means decks need to perform both visually and functionally.

• Resale and value: A well-finished pool deck enhances the look of your home, raises curb appeal (especially when seen from the street or drone shots), and enhances value. Remodeling the deck can yield strong returns when paired with other outdoor upgrades.

• Safety & durability: Newer systems like the one we used help avoid slipping, cracking and uneven surfaces, all of which are concerns in pool zones. Dating and wear can lead to costly repairs if deferred. Jacksonville Pool Decks

• Personal enjoyment: At the end of the day, homeowners want to use the space, relax, entertain, and enjoy. A remodel moves the deck from “barely getting by” to “favorite place in the house.”

Tips for a Successful Pool Deck Remodel in Jacksonville

If you’re thinking about undertaking a remodel, here are some best-practice tips drawn from this project (and from local coast-area professionals):

• Choose materials and finishes with heat in mind: Light or moderate tones reflect better. Surface textures and overlay systems designed for hot climates will perform better over time.

• Prioritize preparation: Good deck remodels address the old surface correctly, cleaning, leveling, crack repair, priming. Skipping steps leads to future problems.

• Balance aesthetics with maintenance: Neutral tones are smart, they won’t show dirt or stains as quickly as bright whites or very dark finishes. If you live near beach sand, pine pollen or live oaks (like much of Jacksonville does), a forgiving color palette makes sense.

• Add architectural or water-feature interest: The ledger waterfall in this case turned the deck into more than a flat surface. Consider accent bands, floating walls, lighting, or integrated fire features.

• Ensure non-slip and code-compliant surfaces: Pool decks must be safe. Resurfacing systems should meet local safety standards (for example, wet-step slip norms) and contractors should be experienced in local climate conditions.

• Think long-term: You’re investing in years of outdoor use. Choose systems and contractors who understand Florida weather, local landscaping (which may drop leaves or needles), and salt or chlorine exposure if the pool is near the coast.

• Work with professionals who serve the Jacksonville area: Local companies know the unique demands of Northeast Florida, from Duval to the Beaches, from the Intracoastal to the St. Johns River. They’re familiar with permitting, code, and local weather-cycles. Jacksonville Pool Decks

Final Thoughts

For homeowners in Jacksonville who treat their backyard as an extension of their lifestyle, a pool deck remodel isn’t simply a cosmetic upgrade, it’s a transformative investment in comfort, usability and long-term enjoyment. This project achieved just that: turning a tired deck into a stylish, comfortable, and functional outdoor living space.

If you’re living in Jacksonville or the surrounding beaches, considering a deck remodel now, while the weather’s warming, is a smart move. Whether you’re prepping for summer barbecues, relaxing by the spa, entertaining friends, or simply enjoying the Florida sunshine, an upgraded pool deck delivers a tangible improvement.
And for a homeowner who’s ready to unwind by the waterfall, dip in the pool and feel confident that their deck is safe, cool underfoot, and designed for enjoyment, the transformation pays off every day.