Your pool deck is one of the most-used surfaces at your home, and in Florida it has to handle sun, heat, rain and bare feet. The two most popular choices are concrete pavers and natural travertine. Both are great. Here's how to choose.
Heat underfoot
Light-colored travertine is known for staying comfortable in the sun, which is why it's so popular around pools. Light-colored pavers stay cooler than dark ones too. Whichever you choose, lighter tones are kinder to bare feet.
Look and style
Travertine is natural stone with soft variation and a high-end, resort feel. It's a favorite for luxury and coastal homes.
Pavers come in many colors, sizes and patterns, from classic brick looks to large-format modern slabs. Brands like Tremron, Techo-Bloc and TriCircle offer a huge range of styles.
Slip resistance and safety
Tumbled travertine and textured pavers both offer good grip when wet. Avoid highly polished surfaces around a pool.
Durability and repairs
Both are installed as individual units over a compacted base, so a cracked or stained piece can be replaced without tearing up the whole deck. That's a big advantage over poured concrete, which can crack across large areas.
Maintenance
Both benefit from sealing to resist stains and make cleaning easier. Travertine is a natural stone, so it can show small natural pits over time, which many owners see as part of its character.
Adding turf to the deck
Many of our pool projects combine pavers or travertine with turf strips, stepping pads or a small lawn. It softens the look, cools the space and adds a green frame around the pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is travertine or pavers cooler around a pool?
Light-colored travertine is known for staying comfortable in the sun. Light-colored pavers are also much cooler than dark ones.
Which lasts longer, pavers or travertine?
Both last for many years when installed on a proper compacted base and sealed. Individual pieces can be replaced if damaged.
Can pavers go over my existing pool deck?
Sometimes. It depends on the condition of the existing deck and the height at the pool edge. We assess this on site.
What brands of pavers do you install?
We install Tremron, Techo-Bloc and TriCircle pavers, plus natural stone like travertine.
Raysa Machado is the founder of Creative Grounds, a woman-owned outdoor living company in Naples, FL that has installed over 600,000 sq ft of turf across Southwest Florida and Miami.
