H&C Cool Feel Water-Based Solar-Reflective Deck Coating Review (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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- Heat reflective
- Pool decks
- Chlorine resistance
- Hiding imperfections
A water-based, self-crosslinking acrylic engineered to reflect UV and lower a concrete pool deck's surface temperature by up to about 20°F while resisting chlorine and salt exposure, and it covers far better than most textured coatings. Be realistic about the physics: the cooling is real but modest and depends heavily on using a light color and full sun conditions, and it is a premium, Sherwin-Williams-store product rather than a budget big-box buy.
Pros
- Cool Feel technology reflects UV to cut surface temperature by up to ~20°F
- Self-crosslinking acrylic resists pool chemicals and household stains with a UV-fade shield
- Higher coverage (~200-300 sq ft/gal) than most textured pool-deck coatings
Cons
- Real but modest cooling (~20°F) that varies with color, sun and ambient heat
- Maximum cooling needs lighter colors — deep shades reflect less and run hotter
- Sold through Sherwin-Williams stores, not big-box, and priced at the premium end
Specifications
| Type | Self-crosslinking water-based acrylic, hi-build solar-reflective |
|---|---|
| Coverage | ~200-300 sq ft/gal (smooth), ~150-250 (porous) |
| Finish/Texture | Low-sheen hi-build, light anti-slip texture |
| Dry time | Recoat ~4 hrs; light foot traffic ~24 hrs; full cure days |
| Slip resistance | Moderate-high — texturing/aggregate recommended for wet areas |
| Cleanup | Soap and water |
| Use | Concrete pool decks, patios, lanais and walkways |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much cooler does H&C Cool Feel actually make a deck?
- Up to about 20°F cooler surface temperature through solar reflection. That is a real, measurable difference underfoot but it is not air conditioning — the result varies with colour, sun angle and ambient heat, and a deck that is dangerously hot at noon will still be warm. Treat it as taking the edge off, not eliminating the problem.
- Does the colour I choose affect the cooling?
- Substantially. Maximum cooling requires lighter colours; deep shades reflect much less UV and run hotter. If cooling is the reason you are buying it, the colour choice is not just cosmetic — going dark undoes much of what you paid for.
- How much does a gallon cover?
- About 200-300 sq ft per gallon on smooth concrete, dropping to roughly 150-250 on porous surfaces. That is higher coverage than most textured pool-deck coatings, which offsets some of its premium price.
- Will it hold up around a pool?
- It is built for it — the self-crosslinking acrylic resists pool chemicals and household stains and carries a UV-fade shield, with a light anti-slip texture. Note it is sold through Sherwin-Williams stores rather than big-box, so plan sourcing ahead of a weekend project.