I'm in Tucson, so freeze/thaw is not a problem. Our pool was originally planed with exposed aggregate deck, but due to issues with my neighbor's deck (which was built just ahead of mine), we were offered a no-cost option of textured acrylic coating. I'm very happy with the choice. Now after ten years of use the color was beginning to look just a bit faded, and a few hairline cracks were showing up. So I spent a couple days caulking the expansion joints and applying a new coat of the top color coating. A five gallon bucket cost me $125 and the deck now looks as good or better than the day it was first installed. The stuff is durable, cooler than concrete, non porous, doesn't stain, or mark easily, and it isn't slippery. It's really simple to recoat and freshen it up. However, I'm told that is important that you keep it sealed up so that water doesn't get under the coating and cause any de lamination.