Another follow up questions I have is: What is a better way to color the concrete: Mix it in the dry concrete (colored concete liquid dispensing) or use concrete staining (like Dustone)?

Thanks
--Scal

If you have expansive soil make sure you get maximum saturation which could take days of watering. Good compacted base possiably turn down footings on the perimeter. Use #3 steel 24" O.C.. Control joints every 8'.
The color with staining is more consistent but it doesn't look natural. Usually lighter colors with sand blast finish takes away a good deal of the mottling and leaves a nice nonskid surface.

scal,
If your concrete contractor doesn't know this info, your in big trouble from the start. Suggest you find someone competent to perform the work. Good luck.

Just chiming in. One of the most important elements in obtaining a beautiful concrete deck is base rock. I can't emphasize this enough. The final product starts with a properly compacted base, especially when placed around pools. In pool construction there will be many trenches in the deck area. A vibra plate compacted base of 1 to 2 inches of base rock (AB) will provide the foundation for your concrete.

Regarding rebar, there is a lot of debate whether adding rebar to a deck has a benefit, after all we are talking about pedestrian walks and patios not RV pads. The accepted standard in the industry is fiber mesh in the concrete. One of the problems with rebar placement in 3-1/2 to 4 inches of concrete is having it centered in the slap. Not done properly you will have the potential for rust. Some people claim that rebar will eliminate or reduce cracking, well concrete cracks. THE MOST IMPORTANT thing we can do when install concrete is proper placement of expansion joint(controlled cracks).

Lastly, color in the mix is a FAILURE. The reason I hold this to be true, is it is difficult to provide even hydration of the sub-base. The blotchyness of installed concrete comes from multiple reasons, the most important is hydration. Color in the mix concrete will fail. If you want color it is better to apply it via water base stains or acid stains. Both of these have different appearances, so discuss this with your contractor.

And don't forget, if you color/stain concrete have it sealed! Look for vapor permissible sealers to avoid blistering and flake off.

Here is a link that might be useful: DoItYourself Swimming Pools & Spas

Thanks to everyone

The landscaping contractor wanted to put in a wire mesh. Couple of my friends who got a concrete deck recently mentioned that their guys used rebar, hence the confusion and the question.

As far as mixing/spraying, the contractor was neutral, he gave saome pros and cons like mixed in will be difficult to patch later, if needed.

Poolexpert,

When you say " Use #3 steel 24" O.C.. Control joints every 8'. ", what does that mean? What does O.C mean? Also, are you suggesting that the grid be 8' squares?

Thanks
--Scal

O.C = On Center.