How To Choose the Right Material for Your Pool Deck

Summer is coming, and it will soon be time to bask in the rays and splash in the water. The right deck helps make an above-ground pool even more enjoyable. Unfortunately, deciding how to choose the right material for your pool deck is tough since all the choices work well. Let’s take a look at a few different options.

Wood

The wood deck has been around a long time and is still a favorite. Wood always looks beautiful and the right kind can handle the elements, including pool water. Choose a hardwood such as redwood or cedar.

Wood decks are a bit more upkeep than other choices because they are a natural material. They will need sealing yearly and a new coat of stain or paint every few years. The upkeep is worth it since wood feels great under our feet, is all-natural, and always a classic choice.

Aluminum

Aluminum decking materials come pre-finished, so no painting or staining is necessary. Their light weight makes the product easy to handle and install.

A special saw is needed to cut the aluminum boards, so keep that in mind. Each deck piece is coated in a non-slip coating, making them perfect around a pool. A few great benefits of aluminum boards are they won’t rust, rot, and they clean easily. Bring on the water—aluminum can handle it.

Vinyl

Vinyl, also called PVC, is extremely popular thanks to its incredible looks and durability. It’s resistant to just about everything, including moisture and mold. You won’t see a vinyl deck fade easily, even directly in the sun.

When choosing the right material for your pool deck, you’ll want choices, and vinyl has them. It comes in an array of colors and even offers the look of wood grains, making it tough to tell if the deck is real wood or vinyl. However, vinyl sometimes comes with a higher price tag due to all its great benefits. The luxurious feeling under your feet and very little upkeep (no stain or paint required) make the price tag worth it.

Composite

Composite material is a mix of plastic, wood fibers, and a binding agent. It looks incredibly similar to wood and is a common deck material choice (without the splinters).

Although it contains wood fibers, it requires no upkeep. Just like aluminum and vinyl, it’s weather-resistant and won’t need painting or staining.

Is a Deck Necessary?

Yes, a deck is absolutely necessary around your pool. No one wants to step out of the water and onto the grass, and even worse, bring the grass back into the pool. Decks offer a place for guests to sit and enjoy the pool without getting into the water. They simply bring everyone together on a beautiful, summer day.

Gannage Construction is the trusted home remodeling company in Paso Robles, CA, and surrounding areas. Our knowledge and experience, together with your vision, will create the deck of your dreams—just in time for summer. Contact us today and let’s make your vision a reality.

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CARLOS LÓPEZ, JR

Carpenter / Material Handling
Carlos began working in Gannage Design Construction in 2020. He graduated Paso Robles High School in 2019. He began working on the construction industry when he was 16 years old and found a calling for a construction career. Carlos is our second bilingual member in the company. He enjoys spending time with his family 18 moth baby and his french bulldog.

CARLOS LÓPEZ, SR

Carpenter / Equipment Operator
Carlos began working at Gannage Design Construction in 2018 after transitioning from decades working in the agricultural industry. Carlos skills in carpentry and equipment operation. Originally from Torreón Coahuila, Mexico. Carlos enjoy spending time with his grandchildren. His hobby is horse riding.

ANTONIO GONZÁLEZ

Project Lead
Antonio began working at Gannage Design Construction in 2018. He has been involved in the construction industry since 2005. Originally from Guadalajara Mexico. Antonio is one of our bilingual member in the company. Antonio makes sure to use his skills in operating heavy machinery, site preparation, material handling, and following OSHA safety regulations to work efficiently. He enjoys traveling with his wife and two children and explore new places.

STACEY VASQUEZ

Office Manager
Stacey joined the team at Gannage Design & Construction in 2023 after deciding to transition back into the workforce from being a stay-at-home mother for several years. She has many years of experience in Office Management and her passion for organization is an incredible asset to our team. Originally from the Central Valley, she and her family moved to Paso Robles in 2016. In her free time she enjoys reading, crafting and watching her daughters play softball.

NICK RECTOR

Project Manager

Nick joined the Gannage Design & Construction team in February 2023 as our Construction Superintendent after deciding that owning and operating his own construction company kept him behind a computer when where he excelled was in connecting with people. Nick spends most of his work day in the field with clients, contractors, and our team ensuring the project stays on track as intended.

From a young age, Nick fell in love with construction while helping his father and grandfather build their family home. In high school, Nick completed Architecture I, II, and III in addition to college-level math courses in preparation for making a career out of his passion. Nick’s passion for architecture and construction took a backseat, however, after he ran the mile in 4:23, which earned him a college scholarship in Track & Field and Cross Country. His focus, determination, and dedication saw him run in seven Nation Championships, finishing as high as 8th in the nation in Cross Country and Top 10 two times in the 5k and 10k track events. Post collegiately; Nick ran numerous half marathons, three marathons, and two 50ks before landing a job as Race Director and Event Director, where he honed his organizational and project management skills.

In 2016 Nick decided to return to his childhood love and dedicated himself to learning the trades. In 2019 he started his own construction company and successfully navigated the COVID pandemic with continued business growth. Ultimately Nick realized his passion was in the progress of the project, educating clients and crews and managing schedules, not business management, and we are eternally grateful as he has been a tremendous asset to the Gannage Design & Construction team from day one.

DENISE CORELLA, UDCP

Design Lead | Strategic Thinker | Client Guide

Denise brings a background in design, systems thinking, and human-centered problem solving to every project.

Her role combines vision with practicality by helping clients express what they want and understand what it takes to build it responsibly. She is often the first person clients contact and acts as their main guide during early decisions.

Denise is known for asking thoughtful questions, translating complexity into clarity, and advocating for decisions that hold up over time.

She believes education empowers people and that clients deserve transparency, even when the truth is hard to hear.

MIKHAIL GANNAGE

Founder | Master-Builder | Construction Strategist

Mikhail leads construction operations with a steady, methodical approach grounded in more than 30 years of field experience. He brings structure to complex builds — balancing craftsmanship with logistics, timelines, sequencing, and team coordination.

His leadership style is disciplined but approachable. Clients consistently note his willingness to listen — to create space for questions, to slow down decisions when needed, and to ensure they fully understand the implications of what they’re choosing. Construction can feel overwhelming; Mikhail’s job is to bring clarity and confidence to the process.

He believes strong process protects everyone involved: clients, trades, and the integrity of the finished work. Clear expectations, proactive communication, and real-time problem-solving are not extras — they are requirements.

Mikhail also brings a deeply vetted network of subcontractors and trades who share his standards and values. He does not simply hand off scopes of work; he communicates the full vision of the project so every trade understands how their piece fits into the whole. When even the underground plumbing crew understands the broader intent of the build, the result is better execution, stronger accountability, and greater pride in the outcome.

Leadership on a jobsite is not about control. It is about alignment — ensuring that the client’s vision is understood, protected, and carried through to completion with discipline and care.