Women's Journal

8 Tips for Choosing the Right Pavers for Your Pool Area

8 Tips for Choosing the Right Pavers for Your Pool Area
Photo: Unsplash.com

Owning a private pool is a luxury. Although the pool itself is what draws the attention, there are many items to consider when creating an aesthetically pleasing swimming area.

Pavers are a type of outdoor flooring and landscaping. They are typically made from natural stone, concrete, or clay, with virtually limitless design possibilities. Both beautiful and durable, pavers are an easy way to add appeal to your outdoor pool area. Here are eight tips for choosing the right pavers for your personal pool.

1. Decide Between Standard or Modular Pavers

If you prefer simplicity, standard pavers are sufficient. A standard paver is a paver with a relatively simple shape that can be laid down in simple patterns by pavers. Think, for example, of how uniform the halls in a school or office building might look – and apply that to pool pavers.

While standard pavers still offer a wealth of customizability in terms of materials and tile design, modular pavers are the better choice for pool owners looking for something more complex.

2. Understand Heat Absorption

Dark-colored pavers in particular are notorious for absorbing heat. If your pool is never exposed to direct sunlight, pavers of any color should suffice. If you’re worried about burning your feet on hot pavers, however, we recommend something light-colored and made from natural stone.

3. Know Your Budget

All quality pavers are likely to be on the expensive side, but pavers made from concrete are a little more budget friendly. Concrete is also salt-resistant, resilient, and doesn’t absorb heat very well.

4. Look for Slip-Resistant Materials

Slip-resistant materials, such as travertine or brick, add to the safety of your pool area without subtracting from any of the beauty. Between the two, travertine pavers for pools are a bit more common.

5. Learn the Maintenance Requirements

You’ll need to put some effort into maintaining your pavers in order to keep them looking as new as the day you bought them. If you have an outdoor pool area, landscaping the perimeter of your pavers might be an essential part of their upkeep. Power washing at least once a year and daily sweeps will help prevent stains. Cleaning and resealing your pavers every three to five years is recommended to reduce the risk of cracks and chips forming.

6. Consider the Upkeep Requirements

Some materials also have special maintenance requirements. Many types of pavers benefit from the use of polymeric sand, for example. Thermal expansions and contractions, which are caused by fluctuations in temperature, can cause many types of natural stone pavers to erode over time. Polymeric sand helps pavers resist erosion.

7. Ask for Samples

Before you commit to a paver, ask for samples from a reputable company. We recommend leaving your peak choices of pavers outside for a few days and observing how each responds to changes in temperature, how they feel to step on, and so forth.

8. Choose the Pavers You Love

Pavers can significantly affect the overall look and feel of your backyard pool. In many cases, this means the premier pavers are ultimately the ones you fall in love with the most.

Published by: Martin De Juan

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