Pool reno

[Firsttimerhelp5]

Hi Everyone 

I posted here a few months back but had no idea where to start with improving the look of this pool area. 
Would love to pull up decking and concrete but financially not an option atm. 
Is it possible to change the colour of timber to a light grey? I know painting the timber isn’t recommended - any other options that we can DIY? 

We also plan to pull out the bamboo panels. What could we replace with? There is beige colourbond underneath. Do we just spray paint? 

Any other suggestions? 

Thanks! 

 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Firsttimerhelp5, 

You are definitely not alone in feeling a bit stuck with pool areas like this. The good news is that you already have a solid base to work with, and there are some realistic DIY improvements you can make without ripping everything out.

In terms of changing the timber colour, you are right that painting decking is generally not recommended, especially around a pool, as it can become slippery and tends to peel under foot traffic and moisture. A much better option is to use a decking oil or stain that is specifically designed to tint timber. You can absolutely move the colour towards a light grey, but it is important to set expectations. You will not get a crisp painted grey, rather a washed, driftwood style grey that still lets the timber grain show through. Products labelled as grey wash, weathered grey or silvered grey decking oil are designed for exactly this. Preparation is important. The deck will need a thorough clean, ideally with a deck cleaner, and any existing coatings removed so the oil penetrates evenly. Done properly, this is very achievable as a DIY project and is much safer and more durable than paint in a wet area.

With the bamboo panels, removing them will already modernise the space. If there is beige Colorbond fencing underneath and it is in reasonable condition, you do not need to replace it straight away. Colorbond can be repainted successfully using the right system. It should be thoroughly cleaned, lightly scuffed with a fine abrasive pad, then primed with a suitable metal primer before applying an exterior metal paint. Moving it to a darker charcoal or soft grey will help it visually recede and make the pool area feel more contemporary without competing with the timber. Spraying gives the best finish, but rolling is absolutely fine for a DIY job if done carefully.

If you want to soften the look further without major cost, consider adding greenery rather than changing hard surfaces. Tall planter pots with tropical plants will break up the fencing line and draw the eye away from the decking and concrete. This works especially well in pool areas and gives you a resort feel without structural changes. Even a couple of feature pots can make a noticeable difference.

Overall, I would start with removing the bamboo, repainting the fencing, and re-oiling the deck in a lighter grey tone. Those three changes alone will significantly lift the space and buy you time until a bigger renovation is financially viable. You already have a nice layout, and the timber looks structurally sound, so this is more about refinement than fixing a problem.

Here's an AI-generated image for some inspiration.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Firsttimerhelp5]

Thanks Michelle, I really appreciate your response. In regard to the decking - does it have to be sanded back first? 
it’s a grooved style decking so I’m unsure how that will go being sanded? 

[EricL]

Hello @Firsttimerhelp5 

When you say grooved style decking do you mean that the decking ridges are facing upwards? In order to give our members a better idea of the surface of your deck can you please post a close-up picture of the decking panel surface? Once we see what the surface looks like we'll be able to make recommendations. But in regards to your question, the deck surface must be sanded down otherwise the new oil or stain will not be absorbed properly and will just simply peel off from the surface.

Eric

[Firsttimerhelp5]

 Hi this is a close up of the decking. 
thanks in advance 

[EricL]

Hello @Firsttimerhelp5 

Thank you for sharing that extra picture of your deck. The standard For Hire: Orbital Floor Sander - 4hr will still work on this surface however, it will be necessary to take an extra step by using a detail sander. This will add an extra bit of effort to the sanding job, but if done properly will give your deck a superb finish. I propose doing this as a three-person job, one to use the orbital floor sander the other two to use detail sanders to do the grooves. 

There are other tools you can use from such as sanding disc pads, circular foam sanding pads and manually formed hand holds to sand in-between the grooves. The issue with the disc pads is that any mistake made in its application can damage the surface of the decking panel leaving large scars and uneven surfaces.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric