Kool Deck vs Behr Granite Grip: Cool Topping or DIY Coating?
By The DIYPicks Team · Updated July 2026
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Mortex Kool Deck Elite Cool Deck Topping
The original Tucson-born cool-deck topping, a cement-based, acrylic-modified mix you tint and trowel over concrete to drop a scorching pool deck's surface temperature and add a comfortable non-skid texture. Unlike roll-on coatings it is a genuine masonry job: mixing and troweling take skill, it bonds best to fresh or well-prepped slabs, and you will likely source it from a pool-supply specialist rather than a home center.
| Type | Cement-based acrylic-modified topping (add water + color) |
|---|---|
| Coverage | ~one 50 lb unit per ~200-350 sq ft depending on texture |
| Finish/Texture | Troweled/knockdown mottled texture |
| Dry time | Cure like concrete — keep off ~24-72 hrs, water traffic longer |
| Slip resistance | High — natural non-skid mineral texture |
| Cleanup | Water while wet |
| Use | Concrete pool decks and patios needing a cooler walking surface |
BEHR PREMIUM Granite Grip Decorative Concrete Floor Coating
A tough, water-based acrylic coating whose speckled texture adds real underfoot grip on wet pool decks and patios while filling hairline cracks and resisting hot-tire pickup. The honest trade-off is coverage: at roughly 50 sq ft per gallon in two coats it eats product fast, and like any film coating it only lasts if you fully etch and clean the concrete first.
| Type | Water-based acrylic, decorative multi-speckle |
|---|---|
| Coverage | ~40-50 sq ft/gal (rough), ~50-60 (smooth) at 2 coats |
| Finish/Texture | Speckled flat texture, grippy underfoot |
| Dry time | Recoat ~6 hrs; foot traffic ~24 hrs |
| Slip resistance | High — textured aggregate finish |
| Cleanup | Soap and water |
| Use | Horizontal exterior/interior concrete (pool decks, patios, garages) |
Our verdict
Choose Mortex Kool Deck Elite when keeping bare feet cool is the priority and you either have masonry skills or will hire a pro — its cement topping runs cooler and wears harder than any thin coating, but mixing and troweling it is a real skill and it's sourced from pool suppliers. Choose Behr Granite Grip when you want a true DIY project: it rolls on like paint, delivers a slip-resistant speckled texture and hides hairline cracks, though it covers only about 50 sq ft per gallon and a dark color won't stay cool. In short, Kool Deck for maximum cooling and durability with harder installation; Granite Grip for an easy, affordable roll-on refresh.