Concrete Pavers For Pools: Why Pavers For Pools

DURABILITY

The strength of the materials used for pool decks is crucial to their long-term endurance. Paving stones can withstand pressure of roughly 8,000 PSI (or pounds per square inch), as compared to concrete, which can withstand pressure of about 3,500 PSI. If you intend to install substantial patio furniture, prefabricated outdoor kitchens, or host visitors on your pool deck, this will make a noticeable impact.

MAINTENANCE

Before beginning your project, it's crucial to think about how you'll maintain your investment's outstanding appearance year-round and which materials will make that easy for you. Paving stones require very little maintenance, particularly if you have them sealed after installation. A protective coating called paver sealer is sprayed on to make the stones resistant to stains, preserve their color, and prevent the joint sand from transferring. This implies that your paving stone pool deck remains safeguarded and stain-free whether you spill a drink of wine, the kids drop their ice cream, or everything in between. God forbid, if a stain should appear on your paving stone pool deck, all that needs to be done is replace the afflicted stone or stones. If you choose the concrete counterpart, the same cannot be said.

Prior to breaking ground, you must decide on your materials if you plan to construct a pool and pool deck or remodel an existing one. Concrete has been the preferred material for pool decks for many years, but in recent years, paving stones have significantly surpassed concrete due to their many advantages.

Thinking of upgrading your pool deck? Have you thought about Travertine? Just like paves, Travertine can offer you great design options and durability.

The four essential things to think about before selecting a pavement material are stated below, along with how each material compares. You ought to be equipped with the knowledge necessary to choose the correct content for you after reading this article.

SLIP RESISTANCE/SLIP COEFFICIENT FOR POOL DECK

The most crucial thing to take into account while deciding on the appropriate material for your pool deck is safety. Pools, like any body of water, have inherent dangers that must be considered. It is therefore critical to select the option with the highest slip coefficient. Let's compare concrete and paving stones, the two most used materials for pool decks.

Paving stones are denser and more porous than concrete by design. The process of making paving stones often involves mixing sand, water, cement, and color pigment before putting the material into a mold. Paving stones are a great source of traction because, compared to ordinary concrete, their surface is more complex at the molecular level. Paving stones provide an additional level of slip resistance when laid in an interlocking pattern and have a smaller surface area than concrete slabs.

Concrete presents a significant risk in addition to being less porous and less slip-resistant. Concrete begins to deteriorate after just one use. In high traffic regions, the surface becomes increasingly worn as a result of use, creating slick places. This presents a significant sliding risk to both children and adults. Unfortunately, the only option for this problem is to completely replace your pool deck, which can be very expensive. Additionally, slippery areas on the surface of your pool deck provide an ugly unevenness that detracts from the aesthetics of your pool.

POOL DECK AESTHETICS

Paving stones are not only the most secure option, but they are also the material with the widest range of applications for pool decks. Paving stones may complement every design style, from rustic to ultra-modern, due to the countless variants. Paving stones can be constructed in larger stones to complement a sleeker look or in imitation of natural stone. Pavers are available in many different colors and can be combined with the design of your house. You can also combine various shapes, colors, and stones to make elaborate patterns in your design to further personalize it.

Contrarily, there aren't many customizing possibilities for concrete. Concrete is really unattractive once it breaks (and it's just a matter of time until it does). Because wet concrete shows cracks much more clearly, your pool will become an eyesore rather than a focus point every time you use it. Paving stones are the best buddy of the designer compared to its concrete sibling.

Concrete and pavers both go through a curing phase, which is a period of time during which the materials must achieve their strongest state. Paving stones do have one advantage, though, in that their curing is carried out in a temperature-controlled workshop where they undergo a number of safety checks. Contrarily, concrete is poured in your backyard and allowed to cure before being exposed to the elements.

Slabs made of concrete can also be highly fickle. They are not only prone to cracking due to incorrect weight distribution; they are also temperature sensitive and can crack as a result of large temperature changes. If your concrete deck begins to crack, it may become a trip risk and cause drainage problems. Ground movement can also cause concrete to crack. The next earthquake in California, where we are located, is right around the corner, which could present a pricey issue. Pool decks made of pavers are built with jointing sand in between each stone, giving them more flexibility when weight distribution or ground movement changes.

The cost of repairing concrete is a barrier. A crack or stain that is longer than two inches cannot be repaired; instead, the entire slab may need to be changed. Although concrete is inexpensive up front, it ultimately proves to be an unruly, pricey alternative for a high-traffic area like a pool deck. Despite costing a little more per square foot to build than concrete, paving stones can wind up saving you hundreds of dollars in upkeep costs.

All things considered, paving stones offer a significantly higher return on investment than conventional concrete. Paving stones can be customized to meet your needs, whether you're searching for a material that can mimic genuine stone, a traditional style, or something ultra-modern.