i want to build a small deck around part of pool. mainly to get rid of using pool ladder to get in and for kids to be able to jump in.I like the look of the deck boards under rim of pool, but am concerned if the metal rim will hold up to kids standing on it while jumping in. I could float deck boards over rim, but they would be unsupported for 6-8″ and i’ve seen it where they dont hold up too well. I plan on using 2×6’s either cedar or p.t. any thoughts? thanks
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Above ground pool deck.
I installed my above ground pool with a deck in 1980. The joists radiated out from the pool and the wood deck boards were parallel to the pool sides. I ran the joists right up to the outside edge of the pool and hung the deck over the rim. At some point I replaced the deck boards with composite. I used a piece of trim to hide the inside edge of the pool rim. The inner most boards were attached to the pool rim. I trimmed the rim all the way around even where there was no deck. Later when I had to replace the pool I went through a lot of manipulations to adapt one to the same number of sides so that I could make it fit the deck. I had a hidden leak in this pool and it rusted the pool wall behind the paint. This resulted in catastrophic failure. If anyone had been in the pool at the time they might have been sucked into the breach and cut apart by the pool wall. The next pool had a true round rim so it didn't matter if it fit the deck, but It was a little taller and the rim was at deck level. I made a router jig to cut the decking so that I could put a piece of 1/2" trim between the edge of the decking and the pool rim. This was a good plan in theory, but the pool walls flexed enough that the cut varied where it shouldn't have. I had to screw around with it to fake the edge. If I were you I'd make the deck flush with the pool rim. You could paint the rim pieces or have them powder coated to the color of your decking. Good luck.
did you have any trouble with pool ladder height?
No
I have always had a ladder designed for use with a deck. The rails of the ladder arch over the edge of the deck/pool. My deck height has never changed although the distance from the deck to the bottom of the pool has changed slightly. The ladder just goes in at a slightly different angle.
thanks for your help mike