Project Spotlight

A Two-Tier Cedar Pool Deck Built From the Homeowner’s Sketch

A custom cedar deck built around an above-ground oval pool, shaped by the homeowner's own sketch and finished as a full outdoor hangout space.

The situation

The homeowner had a clear picture of how the pool area should work.

For this project, the client wanted a large two-tier cedar deck built around an above-ground oval pool. We originally drafted a few design options, but he came back with his own sketch of exactly what he had in mind. That sketch helped turn the project into a full outdoor hangout area with room for swimming, relaxing, grilling, entertaining, and keeping pool equipment hidden without making maintenance harder.

What changed

A pool got the full outdoor living space around it.

Built from the homeowner's sketch

The final layout followed the client's own drawing, giving the pool area the circulation and hangout zones he already had in mind.

Two levels with a clear purpose

The lower level stayed open for gathering, grilling, and moving around, while the upper level created cleaner access to the pool ladder.

Rustic railing without boxing in the view

Cedar handrails with cattle panel infill gave the upper deck a sturdy Hill Country look while keeping the space visually open.

Equipment hidden but serviceable

A matching cedar equipment cover with hinged access, hydraulic supports, and latches keeps the pool equipment covered and easy to reach.

The starting point

The best design came from the homeowner's own sketch.

Some of our favorite projects start with a homeowner who already has a clear picture in their head.

For this pool deck, we originally drafted a few design options. The client came back with his own sketch of exactly what he had in mind, and that drawing told us how he actually wanted to use the space.

Two-tier cedar pool deck under construction around an above-ground oval pool — The finished plan was guided by the homeowner's own sketch and how he wanted the pool area to function.

The layout

The goal was a full pool hangout area, not just a narrow deck edge.

The finished deck ended up being around 778 square feet. It gave the homeowners room for swimming, relaxing, grilling, entertaining, and keeping pool equipment out of sight without making the area feel cluttered.

The lower level was designed as a large open deck area near ground level, so it did not need railings. That kept the space open, easy to move through, and better suited for everyday gathering around the pool.

Finished lower level of cedar pool deck with open gathering area — The lower level creates an open hangout zone around the pool without unnecessary railings.

Pool access

The upper level made getting in and out of the pool feel intentional.

From the lower deck, a wide set of stairs leads up to the upper deck section. That upper level connects to the pool ladder and creates a cleaner way to enter and exit the pool.

Instead of relying on a small freestanding ladder sitting by itself, the pool now feels like it has a real deck system built around it.

Wide cedar stairs leading from the lower pool deck to the upper pool access level — The upper level gives the pool ladder and entry point a more natural place in the design.

Railing choice

Cattle panel railing kept the upper deck sturdy without closing it in.

For the upper section, we built cedar handrails with cattle panel infill. It is a strong fit for Hill Country outdoor spaces because it feels sturdy and rustic without blocking the view.

Traditional pickets can make a deck feel boxed in. Cattle panel keeps the railing strong while still letting the pool area, yard, and surrounding space stay visually open.

Cedar pool deck railing with cattle panel infill — Cedar rails and cattle panel infill gave the upper deck a rustic look without making the space feel boxed in.

Structure and materials

The deck was framed for a large cedar surface around the pool.

The deck framing was built with pressure-treated lumber, including 6×6 support posts, 2×8 joists, proper bolts, and structural hardware.

For the decking surface, we installed 5/4 Western Red Cedar deck boards. Cedar gave the project the warm, natural look the homeowner wanted for a poolside outdoor living space.

Pressure-treated framing for a large two-tier cedar pool deck around an above-ground pool — The pressure-treated frame set the layout, support, and transition points before the cedar deck boards went down.

Fine carpentry details

Tight cuts around complex angles are where skilled carpentry shows.

Deck building is more than just slapping boards together. On a custom pool deck, the boards have to meet real-world curves, corners, posts, steps, trim, and pool hardware cleanly.

The close-up details matter because even small gaps stand out once a deck is finished. Clean fits around complex angles take patience, layout work, and experienced carpentry, especially when cedar boards are part of the finished look.

Close-up of tight cedar deck board cuts around complex pool edge angles — Tight cut work around the pool edge shows the fine carpentry involved in a custom cedar deck.

Pool equipment

The equipment cover hid the mechanicals without making them hard to service.

We also built a matching pool equipment cover with hinged access, hydraulic supports, and latches. That detail matters because pool equipment needs to be hidden, but it still needs to stay serviceable.

This cover can be opened from the sides or from the top, giving full access when maintenance is needed while still keeping the pool area looking finished.

Cedar pool equipment cover open with hinged access and hydraulic supports — The matching cedar cover keeps equipment out of sight while still opening for service.

Finish work

PPG Cetol SRD gave the cedar a warm, finished look.

Once the build was complete, the entire deck and railing system were stained and sealed with PPG Cetol SRD in cedar color. The stain brought warmth into the cedar and helped the whole project feel finished.

A few weeks later, the homeowner felt the deck could use a heavier coat. The product is designed as a one-coat stain and sealer, and the additional coat was not part of the original estimate. We still came back and applied a second coat at no charge because we wanted him fully happy with the final result.

Cedar pool deck showing the difference between stained and unstained boards — The stain and sealer brought out the cedar color and gave the deck a more finished poolside look.

Covered bar

The covered bar gave the deck a natural gathering point.

The covered bar area gives the homeowners a place to serve food, set drinks, and gather around the pool. It also helps the deck feel like a planned outdoor room instead of a simple platform around the pool.

That is the difference good pool deck planning can make. The right layout thinks through where people enter the pool, where they sit, how they move around, where food and drinks go, and what views should stay open.

Covered cedar bar area built beside the above-ground pool deck — The covered bar gives the pool deck a dedicated place for serving, gathering, and setting things down.

The result

This cedar deck turned the pool into a complete outdoor living space.

The project was completed in December over nine working days. The finished deck gave the homeowner a large cedar outdoor living space with better pool access, a covered bar, open lower-level gathering space, a rustic upper railing, and hidden equipment storage that still works for maintenance.

A pool deck should not feel like an afterthought around the pool. It should support how people actually swim, sit, grill, entertain, and move through the yard.

Project photos

Before stain, after stain, and the finished cedar pool deck.

Cedar deck boards installed over the new pool deck framing during construction — With deck boards going down over the framing, the two-tier layout started to show how the finished pool space would work.

Cedar pool deck before stain with stairs and upper pool access area — Before stain, the cedar boards, stairs, and upper pool access level were already in place.

Reddy Pros crew staining cedar deck boards — The deck and railing system were stained and sealed with PPG Cetol SRD in cedar color.

Finished cedar pool deck with covered bar and above-ground pool — The covered bar area gives the deck a natural place for food, drinks, and gathering.

Finished cedar stairs and cattle panel railing leading to upper pool deck — Wide stairs connect the open lower deck to the upper pool access level.

Finished cedar pool deck viewed from the covered bar area — The final layout creates usable space around the pool instead of a narrow walkway.

Cedar pool equipment cover opened from the top for service access — The equipment cover can open from the top and sides for maintenance access.

Finished two-tier cedar pool deck around oval above-ground pool — The finished cedar deck turned the pool into a full outdoor hangout area.

Finished cedar pool deck furnished with lounge chairs, stools, and covered bar seating — With furniture in place, the deck shows how the pool area works as a complete outdoor living space.

Homeowner review

What the homeowner said after the project.

5-star homeowner review

Reddy Pros crew did an awesome job on our pool deck. Although Caleb provided options of what he and his crew could do, I had a particular sketch of more of what I was looking for. Not only did he say he could do it, he over exceeded what I expected of the finish product. Not once did the price change from the original quote. I'm already using him for another project. I highly recommend Reddy Pros !!!

Tom Trevino

Planning a pool deck?

Build the pool area around how you actually use it.

If you want a deck around an above-ground pool, send photos, measurements, or even your own sketch. We can help turn the layout into a buildable plan that handles access, seating, grilling, railings, equipment storage, and the finished look.

Request an Estimate