A pool and a timber deck – what to bear in mind
A pool by the deck – 7 things to bear in mind!
Building a pool or tub into a timber deck saves space and looks good. Before you start building, bear a few things in mind.
1. Adapt the structure
Whether it is a pool or a tub, it is best to build it into the deck. The simplest approach is to set the pool on a gravel base and build the deck around it.
A good start is a bed of compacted crushed stone, on which you lay XPS insulation boards and then set the pool on them. This gives you a stable surface with extra protection and insulation directly under the bottom of the pool. Another tip: lay lifting straps under the pool – they will already be in place if it ever needs to be lifted.
You can also place a tub directly on the deck, but remember that when filled with water and bathers it weighs many hundreds of kilograms, and the structure must be adapted to this weight.
2. Always choose stainless steel decking screws (A4)
For a timber deck around a pool or tub to meet the rules of correct installation – and to last a long time – the only option is A4 stainless steel screws. Decking screws that are not made of stainless steel are at risk of corrosion, and in the worst case the screw can snap.
The rule is simple: Will you have a pool by the deck? Choose stainless steel decking screws in A4 grade!
Decking screws made of A4 stainless steel
ESSVE Decking screw ESSDECK MAX 4.8 x 55 mm A4, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw HDS Pro with drill point, hidden fixing 4.8 x 60 mm A4, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw Classic 4.2 x 42 mm A4, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw HDS, hidden fixing 4.8 x 60 mm A4, pack of 250
ESSBOX+ Organiser case for screws and tools3. Do not block access
– When building it in, it is important that the pool stays accessible for future servicing. The most important thing is a hatch in the deck in front of the plant room so that it is easy to reach, but sometimes access is also needed from other sides. This can be solved with joist hangers, which make it easier to release the joists closest to the pool. As always when working with wood, it is easier with good fasteners and screws, says Magnus Holgersson of the Swedish company Folkpool.
Tip: also install a service isolator switch by the deck. Technicians can then come and go without you having to be at home.
4. Think about getting in
The most practical solution is to build in about a third of the height of the hot tub – getting in is easier, as you just sit on the edge and swing your legs straight into the water. If you build in the whole hot tub, so that only the rim of the tub shows above the deck, you “step down” into the water and something to hold on to may come in handy.
5. Protect bare feet from splinters
Lots of bare feet will be running around a deck by a pool. With hidden fixing, the decking screw is driven at an angle into the side of the board. This way you avoid the chips and splinters that form around the screw holes on conventionally fixed decking boards.
With the Hidden Decking System (HDS) you get hidden fixing completely free of visible screws. The deck is safe for bare feet and looks truly luxurious. The system is easy to use and the installation quickly picks up speed! The screws are available in A4 stainless steel grade.
No visible screws
With the Hidden Decking System (HDS) you can easily build a timber deck without visible screws. The system consists of an installation tool, screws and special bits.
6. Think carefully about the choice of wood
You can build a deck by a pool from many materials: pine pressure-treated with linseed oil, thermally modified ash, heartwood pine, wood-plastic composite… It is worth reading up on them and choosing according to your taste, the environment, your budget and how much time you want to spend on maintenance. The most common choice is pressure-treated pine, which resists moisture quite well, but for a long service life it needs washing and oiling every year.
7. Create a pleasant setting
When positioning the hot tub, think about the whole picture: what will I see when I sit in the water, and what are the surroundings like? A trellis or pergola provides shelter from prying eyes and from the wind. With evergreen climbing plants such as ivy, and with extra lighting, the area around the hot tub will be really cosy. A hook or a stool for your towel and bathrobe will make everything comfortable and pleasant.
After a warming soak it is nice to sit outside for a while, but it is just as important not to get cold. Lay sheepskins out as seat pads, keep warm blankets to hand and put a soft mat in front of the hot tub to step onto when you get out of the water.
Build a pergola, railing and steps
The ESSDRIVE wood screw is ideal for timber projects around the deck!
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Do you need a permit?
An in-ground pool with a built-up area of up to 25 m² and a depth of up to 3 m is a minor structure that must be notified to the building authority; a larger pool usually requires a decision on the building intention. You will find what applies to the deck around it in our article – the building authority of your municipality will give you a binding answer.
Everything for your deck at Zrubko.sk
Here you will find everything you need to build a deck – screws, hardware and wood. At Zrubko.sk we have a wide range of ESSVE decking products.
The information in this guide is for guidance only. Follow the manufacturer's technical data sheet and the applicable standards; if in doubt, contact us.
The information reflects the Slovak Building Act No. 25/2025 Coll. as amended on 22 September 2026 and does not replace legal advice. Before starting work, check the requirements with the building authority of your municipality.