Indoor Pool Deck Transformed with Custom Concrete Coating
At the Belle Fourche Rec Center in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the indoor pool area was due for a much-needed facelift. Over time, the tile deck surrounding the pool had become outdated and hazardous, posing a risk for slips and falls. When the rec center property owners began exploring options for resurfacing the deck, their goal was clear: they needed a solution that looked great, was safe to walk on, and wouldn’t stretch their timeline or budget. That’s when they turned to Mid-America Pool Renovation, Inc., and ultimately to SUNDEK Commercial Contracting for help.
The photo at left shows the indoor pool area at the Belle Forche Rec Center in Belle Forche, SD, before resurfacing—with its outdated tile. At right shows the same pool deck after SUNDEK Commercial Contracting resurfaced the tile, installing a coating of Classic Texture right on top without having to demo the tile.Initially, the plan was to remove the tile entirely. However, with the removal of both the tile and mortar bed, the resulting loss in height would require building up the surface again to keep it level with the coping and deck drains—adding significant time and cost to the project. Landon Cole at Mid-America Pool Renovation, Inc. was overseeing the project and reached out to Jason Unruh, SUNDEK’s Commercial Contracting Project Senior Developer to assess the site and see if there might be a better solution.
Get a free quoteAfter inspecting the pool deck, Jason was pleased to report that the existing substrate was solid. That meant SUNDEK could apply their Classic Texture coating directly over the tile—no removal necessary.
SUNDEK created a custom color for the rec center’s pool area, mimicking Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams.Classic Texture is the ideal coating for a community pool deck—especially one that’s indoors. In addition to being an anti-slip coating, it’s also customizable, so clients can get the exact look they want. Because it’s so durable and easy to clean, property owners can rely on it for many years after installation.
With that option on the table, the Belle Fourche Rec Center property owners were excited—especially after learning that the team could still achieve the neutral color they wanted. SUNDEK would be able to create a custom color—their chosen shade of Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams—for the surface. Between the cost savings, shorter project timeline, and the ability to get the exact look they wanted, the decision was easy.
To start, SUNDEK crews thoroughly masked everything in the indoor pool area that needed protection from overspray. This included walls, pool equipment, and other deck features. Though masking in an environment like this takes time, SUNDEK is known for taking extra steps to keep workspaces clean and protected. “We’ll go as far as 4 to 5 feet high on walls and other features to make sure nothing gets sprayed in the areas surrounding the surface,” says Jason.
Once masking was complete, SUNDEK prepped the tile surface to ensure the new coating would adhere properly. Using 80-grit sandpaper, the team buffed the tile, removing any lingering sealers or contaminants and roughing up the surface to create the necessary grip for the coating. A primer was then applied to bond the Classic Texture product securely to the tile.
This detail shot shows the meticulous work SUNDEK Commercial Contracting completed on this surface—it’s impossible to tell that this beautiful coating of Classic Texture covers 1- by 1-inch tiles.Because the tile was made up of 1- by 1-inch squares, extra care was taken to ensure grout lines wouldn’t show through the final finish. “The way we do it, we make sure none of the grout lines telegraph through the coating,” says Jason. “When we’re done, you get a smooth surface that looks brand-new.” They achieved all this while making sure everything was level, there were no trip hazards, and water would drain properly.
To enhance the safety of the surface even more, SUNDEK broadcast aluminum oxide across the coating while it was still curing. “Working with an indoor commercial pool deck, we went above and beyond when it comes to slip resistance,” Jason explains. Indoor pools typically have higher humidity levels, making slip resistance even more critical.
From start to finish, the project took about six days—much faster than the original plan would have allowed. The property owners were thrilled not only with the condensed timeline and cost savings but also with how clean, cohesive, and safe their new pool deck looked.
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