Epoxy vs. Rubber Pool Deck: Which is Right for Your Backyard Oasis

At MACH ONE® Epoxy Floors, we live by a pretty simple code: do the right thing for the customer, every time. Usually, that means installing epoxy floors. We love epoxy…it’s in our name, after all.

But when a homeowner asks us what to put around their swimming pool, our answer might surprise you. We don’t recommend epoxy for pool surrounds. Instead, we point them toward rubber surfacing.

4 Reasons We Recommend Rubber Flooring for Pool Decks

It might seem strange for an epoxy coatings company to talk you out of an epoxy coating, but our “Mission-Ready” promise means we won’t sell you something that isn’t a perfect fit for your life. Here is the honest truth about why rubber is the better choice for your backyard oasis.

1. Slippage

Nothing ruins a summer day faster than a nasty fall! Even when our installation crew adds anti-slip aggregates to an epoxy floor, it is still a non-porous, rigid surface. When water droplets sit on top of it, it can create a hydroplaning effect.

Rubber pool decks are naturally grippy. Because they’re porous and textured, they provide a high-traction surface that stays safe even when it’s sopping wet. For kids running toward a cannonball, rubber is the only way to go!

2. Heat

Rubber flooring is much kinder to bare feet. It doesn’t retain heat the same way that dense resins or stones do. It typically stays significantly cooler, meaning you can actually walk comfortably from your lounge chair to the pool without needing flip-flops.

3. Softer Surface

Accidents happen, especially where water and kids are involved. Protect your family from falls on rock-hard, unforgiving concrete.

Instead, use rubber surfacing which offers a built-in “cushion” of sorts. It’s a shock-absorbing material that provides a bit of give underfoot. It’s much easier on the joints for walking and provides a significantly safer landing if someone does take a tumble.

4. Flexibility

Concrete isn’t as solid as it looks. It breathes, shifts, and expands with the weather. Because epoxy is a rigid material, if the concrete underneath develops a crack, the epoxy is likely to crack right along with it.

Rubber is the more elastic solution which is ideal for outdoor elements. It’s flexible enough to bridge minor cracks and move with your deck as the seasons change. It keeps your pool area looking seamless and beautiful, even when the ground underneath is acting up.

Upgrade Your Pool Concrete with Rubber Flooring

We take immense pride in our work at MACH ONE® Epoxy Floors. That pride comes from knowing we gave our customers the best possible result for their specific needs.

While epoxy may be the undisputed king of the garage, rubber is the right call for pools. Ready to give your pool deck the upgrade it deserves? Contact a MACH ONE® near you!