Choosing the Right Pavers for Your Poolside Retreat

Intro

Your poolside space should be more than just a place to swim—it should be a personal retreat that blends beauty, functionality, and safety. One of the most important decisions you’ll make when designing or renovating your pool area is selecting the right pavers. The right paver can elevate your outdoor aesthetic, prevent slips, and handle the wear and tear of sun, water, and foot traffic. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the most popular types of pavers for pool areas, comparing their durability, design options, and safety features so you can make the best choice for your oasis.

Concrete Pavers – Versatile and Budget-Friendly

Content:
Concrete pavers are a popular go-to for pool areas, and for good reason. They’re affordable, easy to install, and come in a variety of colors, shapes, and patterns to suit any design style.

Durability: Concrete pavers hold up well under foot traffic and poolside activity. With proper sealing and maintenance, they can last for years.

Aesthetics: You can get creative with concrete! From clean, modern lines to textured finishes that mimic natural stone, the options are nearly endless.

Safety: Many concrete pavers offer slip-resistant finishes—ideal for wet, barefoot conditions. Just make sure they’re sealed to reduce water absorption and staining.

Best for: Homeowners who want a customizable and cost-effective solution without sacrificing quality.

Travertine Pavers – Natural Luxury with Built-In Cooling

Content:
Travertine is a timeless, high-end natural stone that instantly adds sophistication to any outdoor area. It’s especially loved around pools for its earthy beauty and functional perks.

Durability: Highly resilient to heat and moisture, travertine can handle years of outdoor exposure without cracking or fading.

Aesthetics: Available in creamy beiges, silvers, and rich walnut tones, travertine’s natural variation adds character and charm. Its tumbled edges also provide a soft, elegant look.

Safety: One of travertine’s top features is its natural cooling properties—it stays comfortable underfoot, even in direct sun. It’s also naturally slip-resistant thanks to its porous surface.

Best for: Homeowners seeking a luxury look that’s both functional and family-friendly.

Porcelain Pavers – Modern, Low-Maintenance Style

Content:
If you’re after sleek design with minimal upkeep, porcelain pavers are an excellent poolside choice. Engineered for performance, they offer the look of natural stone or wood with added convenience.

Durability: Porcelain is non-porous, stain-resistant, and extremely durable, even in freeze-thaw climates. It won’t fade or absorb pool chemicals.

Aesthetics: Porcelain pavers can mimic nearly any texture—stone, wood, concrete—while maintaining a clean, contemporary finish.

Safety: Despite their smooth look, most outdoor-rated porcelain pavers are manufactured with anti-slip coatings for wet environments.

Best for: Homeowners who want a sleek, modern finish with minimal maintenance requirements.

 Brick Pavers – Classic Charm and Timeless Appeal

Content:
Brick pavers have been used for generations and bring a warm, rustic touch to any pool area. Their enduring popularity speaks to their versatility and style.

Durability: Fired clay brick is extremely tough and can withstand years of weathering, though occasional resealing may be needed.

Aesthetics: With earthy reds, browns, and charcoal tones, brick offers a cozy, traditional vibe that works well in classic or cottage-style landscapes.

Safety: Brick pavers are naturally textured, which makes them a safe option around water. Just keep in mind they may heat up more in direct sun.

Best for: Those who love traditional design and want something time-tested and full of character.

Conclusion 

Choosing the right paver material is about balancing your style with the practical needs of comfort and safety. Whether you prefer the luxury of travertine, the modern performance of porcelain, or the classic charm of brick, each option can transform your backyard into a resort-style destination. At Big Becks Pools and Pavers, our Massapequa showroom features all of these materials in person so you can feel the texture and see the colors for yourself.

CLICK HERE to read our guide on matching pavers to your pool design and start planning your project with our expert team.

Frequently Asked Questions: Popular Pool Area Pavers

What is the most “barefoot-friendly” paver for a pool deck in 2026?

In the hot Long Island summers, the most barefoot-friendly choice is Travertine. Because travertine is a natural limestone, it is highly porous and does not retain heat like concrete or brick. Even in direct sunlight during a July heatwave, travertine can stay up to 20% cooler than other surfaces, preventing burned feet. Additionally, those same natural pores provide an excellent grip for wet feet, making it both a comfortable and safe choice for families with active children.

How do porcelain pavers hold up against pool chemicals and salt?

Porcelain pavers are arguably the most durable choice for modern pools in 2026 because they are non-porous. Unlike natural stone or concrete, which can be etched or stained by high concentrations of chlorine or saltwater, porcelain is impervious to chemicals. It will not fade, absorb salt, or develop “efflorescence” (that white, powdery salt buildup). For homeowners with saltwater pool systems, porcelain offers the best long-term protection against the corrosive nature of salt spray.

Is it true that concrete pavers are the most customizable option?

Yes, concrete pavers offer the widest range of design flexibility. Because they are manufactured, they can be cast in almost any shape, color, or texture—including finishes that convincingly mimic expensive bluestone or weathered wood. In 2026, many homeowners choose concrete because it allows for precision-engineered interlocking patterns that are very stable. When professionally sealed, concrete pavers are a highly budget-friendly way to achieve a high-end look without the cost of premium natural stone.

Does outdoor porcelain get slippery when it’s wet?

While indoor porcelain is known for being slick, outdoor-rated porcelain pavers are engineered specifically for wet environments. They are manufactured with a textured “anti-slip” finish (typically rated R11 or higher) that provides significant traction. Even though they look sleek and modern, these pavers are designed to meet strict safety standards for pool surrounds. They also resist the growth of mold and algae, which are often the hidden causes of slipperiness on natural stone or wood decks.

What are the maintenance requirements for traditional brick pool pavers?

Brick pavers are incredibly tough and can last for decades, but they do require a bit more “TLC” than porcelain. Because brick is made from fired clay, it is naturally porous and can absorb moisture. To prevent moss growth in the joints and to keep the rich red or charcoal colors from fading, we recommend a professional sealing every 3 to 5 years. Additionally, because bricks are smaller and have more joints, it is important to keep the polymeric sand topped off to prevent weeds from taking root between the stones.

Can I mix different types of pavers to create a unique design?

Absolutely. A major trend for 2026 is “mixed-material” pool decks. For example, many of our clients use large-format porcelain pavers for the main lounging area but frame the pool itself with a travertine “bullnose” coping. This provides the cooling benefits of stone where you sit on the edge of the pool, while maintaining the low-maintenance perks of porcelain for the rest of the patio. Combining materials allows you to prioritize safety, comfort, and style in exactly the right zones of your backyard.