Swimming Pool Decking
Designs and Paving Materials

The design of your swimming pool decking depends on how much space you need. Deciding on how you are going to use the area will help you plan your layout. You should also think about if you want the area to be totally in the sun or part shade/part sun.

A nice way to create some shade on swimming pool decks is by adding some large shade trees or a beautiful outdoor pergola.

But let's talk about the different types of hardscape you can choose.

Concrete Pool Decking

Concrete pool paving is the least expensive. To make it a little more interesting, you can add color to the mortar mixture.

Consider a pretty shade of beige or even a soft peach for concrete patio designs.

You can also have the contractor create a geometric pattern. For example, large squares look nice. To see a picture of this, please visit my page on concrete patio designs.

Do be aware that concrete can crack over time.

I also made a video of the above project.

Stamped concrete is a type of concrete that can have many different looks. Patterns are "stamped" into the concrete. The problem with this, however, is that construction joints are necessary, due to the typically large expanse of paving. These joints, or long visual lines, often go through the pattern in various locations. In my opinion, this absolutely ruins the look of the pattern.

Pool Pavers

For a step up in your swimming pool decking materials, concrete pavers are a nice choice. There are many interesting paver choices available.

I particularly like tumbled pavers as they mimic stone. If you would like some more detailed information and some suggestions, please visit my page on paver suppliers, where I make some recommendations.

Bluestone is beautiful but hot on the feet. However, there is a bluestone concrete paver which really looks like stone. Read about them here.

Also see my comparison of bluestone pavers to travertine pavers.

Travertine Pavers

Now we come to one of my favorites....travertine pavers.
These are made from natural stone, are cool to the touch and very beautiful.
You can read all about them on my page on travertine pavers.
And find out what they cost!

Other Natural Stone Options

There are other materials too, such as additional types of natural stone.

This type of swimming pool decking is the most expensive but can be quite beautiful.

There is Apple Creek, Idaho Quartz, Crab Orchard Stone, etc.

See natural stone patio pictures.

Swimming Pool Coping

The coping is the stone that borders the pool and overhangs, or cantilevers, slightly. This can either match the rest of the pool paving or it can contrast it. Travertine pavers look nice when the coping matches, or you can use a complimentary color. Likewise, concrete pavers can have a coping of the same paver, or the color might be different. Copings are especially made for pool edges in that the pool edge is smooth for easy grabbing from the water.

Concrete coping can be installed as a border with a joint separating it from the rest of the concrete paving. Alternatively, the concrete can run right up to the waters' edge. In this situation, the coping and the pool paving look as if they are all part of the same pool paving with no breaks.

Compare Pavers to Concrete - pros and cons

"Susan, what a pleasure it was to work with you. You made me feel like I was your only client - responding late at night and always so quickly! Your design is amazing and we only hope we can do justice to it when we plant . You have such fantastic ideas and you are so open to suggestions and changes. Loved working with you - now if you could only come to Canada and plant it !!! "
Helen, Ontario-Canada

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