How big a deck you're buying
Work it out from the pool size. A 15×30 ft pool with a 3 ft border covers a 21×36 ft footprint, which leaves about 306 sq ft of concrete. Widen it to 6 ft on every side and the deck grows to about 684 sq ft, room for loungers and a table. That's why the extra deck line on a quote can be bigger than expected.
One Breaux Bridge builder includes a 3 ft concrete border in its fiberglass prices (Acadiana Pools). Others may price the deck separately. Check the square footage on each quote.
Deck materials and prices
| Material | Materials per sq ft | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Broom-finish concrete | $6–10 | Cheapest; textured for grip |
| Pavers | $6–8 | Joints may need refilling |
| Brick | $8–12 | Gets hot; algae in humid shade |
| Composite decking | $8–16 | Low upkeep but hot underfoot |
| Travertine | $15–20 | Handles heat swings well; sensitive to some pool chemicals |
| Stamped concrete | $15–30 | Patterned and slip-resistant |
Materials only, from Fixr (updated Jan 2025); labor adds about $5–50 per sq ft. Fixr's typical deck runs $6,750–8,000, and a concrete deck for a 12×24 pool about $7,500.
Heat, rain and drainage
August highs at Lafayette Regional average 92.3°F, and the year brings about 62.8 in of rain (NOAA normals). Two things follow. Pick a light surface that stays cool and keeps its grip when wet. And slope the deck away from the pool, about 1/4 in per foot is the usual guide (Fixr), so rain carries dirt and fertilizer into the yard, not into the water. On a low lot, also ask where that runoff goes next. If you plan a salt pool, check the stone first (see salt vs chlorine).
Fence materials and prices
| Fence, 4–5 ft | Installed per foot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Removable mesh | $7–10 | Can come down; confirm it meets code |
| Aluminum | $15–35 | Common choice; won't rust |
| Wrought iron | $15–40 | Heavier, needs paint upkeep |
| Vinyl | $15–40 | Solid privacy panels |
| Wood | $20–30 | Watch climbable rails on the outside |
| Glass | $95–210 | Framed to frameless |
From Fixr (updated Jan 2025). Self-closing gates run $200–500, or up to $1,000 in glass. Fixr's example, 100 ft of aluminum with a self-closing gate, averages about $6,500.
A 40×60 ft fenced area has a 200 ft perimeter. If the house forms one side, you fence less, but the doors facing the pool then need alarms or another approved safeguard.
What to ask for on the quote
- Deck square footage, thickness, finish and whether it is reinforced
- Fence length, height, material, and the number of self-closing gates
- Where the deck drains, and whether any fill is brought in
- Whether the deck and fence are in the pool contract or a separate one, and who pulls each permit
Pricing both with the pool usually saves a second mobilization, and the crew can form the deck around the coping in one pass.
The rules a fence must meet
Louisiana's adopted codes call for a barrier at least 48 in tall, gaps a 4 in ball can't pass, and gates that close and latch on their own (LUCCC). Read the full rules and which office permits your address on our permits and fences page. A fence can also matter to your insurer; see insurance, taxes and flood zones.
Common questions
How wide should a pool deck be?
A 3 ft border is enough to walk around the pool. For chairs and a table, most owners want 6–8 ft on at least one side. Each extra foot around a 15×30 pool adds roughly 100 sq ft of concrete.
What is the coolest pool deck surface for Louisiana summers?
Concrete stays relatively cool, and a cool-deck coating keeps it cooler to the touch; brick and composite get hot underfoot, per Fixr (Fixr). Travertine handles heat swings well.
Can my house wall be part of the pool barrier?
Often yes, but then every door that opens toward the pool needs an alarm or another approved safeguard. Confirm with the permit office for your address.
Is a pool fence required in Lafayette?
A barrier meeting the state's adopted code is required for residential pools, at least 48 in tall with self-closing, self-latching gates. Your builder or permit office confirms local details.
Sources & further reading
- Fixr: pool deck cost (Jan 2025)
- Fixr: swimming pool fence cost (Jan 2025)
- Acadiana Pools: fiberglass inclusions. 3 ft concrete border
- Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council. 2021 codes
- NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lafayette Regional
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.