5 Natural Stones to Use When Landscaping Around Your Pool

5 Natural Stones to Use When Landscaping Around Your Pool

When it comes to creating your dream pool, there are a number of things to consider – from shape and size to aesthetics and practicalities. You need to consider how you’ll be using it, how much space you need around it, how you’re going to access it, and how much it’s going to cost in terms of building and maintenance. It’s also about choosing the right materials for the pool pavers, whether it’s chlorinated or saltwater.

 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PAVERS

Regardless of the design you choose for your pool, there are some key considerations when deciding on the natural stone pavers you’re going to use.

 

Appearance

While appearance may not be at the top of your list, it’s actually a very important consideration. Your pool pavers in their colouring and material should complement the garden and your house, rather than fight against it. For example, if you have a timber deck, choose a colour that will work well with timber. The same goes for the colouring and materials of your home – whether it’s glass, cladding, render or brick – your pool pavers should tie in with your surrounds.

 

When it comes to appearance, it’s also important to consider the style of the paver against the style of your house’s architecture. For example, crazy paving can be used to break up spaces and add a unique feature to your home or garden.

 

Durability

The space around the pool is a high-traffic area, especially in summer, so you need durable materials. The pavers surrounding the pool will have chlorine or salt-based water splashed all over them. They also may have food droppings, sun cream, and pool chemicals spilt on them, and so you need to ensure your pavers will be able to withstand this to remain untarnished and sturdy.

 

Non-slip finish

All that water in the pool tends to find its way out, whether it’s from people jumping in or out, or simple splashes from the pool. It’s exceptionally dangerous to have slippery pavers, so consider this when choosing your pavers.

 

Weather conditions

Pavers experience all weather conditions, so consider how they’ll cope. For example, on a hot summer’s day will they get too hot that you can’t walk on them? Or will there be too much glare from the sun’s rays?

 

Seal the deal

Natural stones can be porous and sensitive – so you need to ensure you use the right sealer for the pavers. Remember, your pool is an investment, so protect it.

 

Marble

Marble has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s one of the more popular materials for luxury pools because of its aesthetic but it’s also hard-wearing so it lasts. What’s also brilliant about it is that it generally remains cool regardless of the weather conditions. However, it’s can be sensitive at times, so you’ll need to ensure it’s sealed correctly.

 

Bluestone

Dense and hard-wearing, bluestone is a great option as a pool paver as it is salt resistant. Besides its durability, it also comes in a variety of shapes and formats including tiles to cobblestones, so there are lots of different options you can choose from to ensure they match your home. They can also be laid in various designs so you can make your pool landscaping a feature.

 

Sandstone

Sandstone often gets a bad rap in terms of natural stone. This is because it has a relatively loose grain which means it can be prone to pitting due to salt damage. In saying this though, if maintained correctly, sandstone can be good natural stone to use. Its colouring is gorgeous, and sometimes the weathering of the stone can contribute to its overall character. Sandstone is ideal if you desire a sandstone garden path into your backyard and leading to your pool.

 

Limestone

One of the world’s go-to building materials, limestone, retains its form for years regardless of the conditions that are thrown at it. It is also quite earthy so it suits the outdoor environment. It can hold up against continuous use and extreme weather too which is a bonus. It also comes in a variety of colours and textures and is extremely popular as a pool paver.

 

Granite

Non-slip and with a flamed finish, granite is ideal for pool settings. It’s elegant and works very well with contemporary architecture. It’s one of the densest natural stones which is why it’s so popular for pools. What’s also appeals about granite is that the surface is quite speckled so it hides stains perfectly. It’s also known as being a low-porous stone so it’s quite easy to wipe or hose any spills off quickly.

TAKE YOUR PICK

At the end of the day, it’s crucial to remember that pools are an investment. So it’s crucial to choose the right stone paver for your home, especially in terms of aesthetics, durability and longevity.