SUNDEK Installs Tables and Counters in a Pool at Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, TX

SUNDEK of Austin installed countertops at the swim-up bar and tabletops in the resort pool.

The pool at the new Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas, offers more than just a spot to swim, play, and lounge. In the Grotto Outdoor Swim Up Bar & Pool area, guests 21 and older can order food and dine at the poolside bar or one of the 16 tables that sit inside the pool. When they began building out the space, resort owners contacted SUNDEK of Austin about constructing the tables and countertops.

Tables and counters were installed after the pool was already filled with water. 

Pouring the concrete for the tabletops and countertops and then giving them a decorative coating is a straightforward job for an experienced installer such as SUNDEK of Austin, but there was one catch on this project. Because of the tight schedule and project timeline, they needed to install the tables in the pool after the pool was filled with water.

Even with that obstacle, the crew was not deterred. Familiar with coming up with creative ways to address on-the-job challenges, the installation crew got to work. “Some of the crew worked on inflatable rafts,” says Scott Hubbard, sales manager at SUNDEK of Austin. “Others completed the job in their bathing suits.”

Related: Pool deck resurfacing

The pool is stunning at night,  with the tabletops adding to the ambiance.

Despite the hurdle of having to work in water, the crews were able to get the job done well and on time—in just five working days. This included pouring the concrete, sanding and prepping the concrete, and coating the surface with SUNDEK’s SunOne coating. The countertops and tabletops totaled an area of about 420 square feet.

SUNDEK of Austin chose SunOne for several reasons. SunOne is a polyaspartic coating that is specifically used on projects that need to be completed quickly. A coating that cures quickly was necessary for this project that required installing tabletops in a filled pool. It also resists abrasion upon impact, which is essential for any object in or near a pool. Its durability means the countertops will last for years to come while still looking great, despite being in a pool and getting lots of use. Another great quality about SunOne is that it is UV tolerant, so it won’t fade or yellow from sun exposure—a must in this type of setting.

Since the countertops and tabletops are coated with SunOne, they are also resistant to stains, making them very easy for maintenance staff to take care of. In fact, Hubbard notes that the resort maintenance staff will be able to clean these the same way they would clean any typical eating or drinking area. Even though the tabletops are in water, they won’t need to be sanded down and resurfaced for at least 7 to 10 years after installation.

All countertops and tabletops were finished with the Bone White color from SUNDEK’s signature color collection. SUNDEK has 16 signature colors that can be applied over a variety of decorative concrete surfaces including those that are bare or textured. In addition to the Signature Colors, SUNDEK can also create custom colors. In this case, Bone White was a great choice. Light colors are typically best for surfaces around pool areas as they tend to stay cooler than darker colors. In addition to being a functional color, it creates a sleek look to complement the resort’s gorgeous pool area.