Going Au Naturel: The Top Benefits of Natural Stones for Swimming Pools

We’re all familiar with the boring community pool made with concrete. In some parts of the country, it’s called a cement pond. It’s easy to understand the nickname considering the primary building material is concrete.

We never claimed a pool should be eye candy but come on, let’s give them a little character. We vote for natural stones and we’re not the only ones.

Ancient pool builders used limestone, marble, and travertine as pool building materials. The charm hasn’t worn off over the years. Natural stone is still a popular pool material.

Its versatility allows you to create any look you desire. For example, travertine lends itself perfectly to rustic outdoor décor. A marble tiled pool deck oozes luxury and sophistication.

Don’t forget granite and slate—both work equally as well to create an elegant look or one that’s more rugged and rustic. Limestone and flagstone also make beautiful decks and pool floors.

If you’re dreaming of a swimming pool that goes beyond functional and offers a feast for the eyes, choose natural stone tiles.

Looks are important but there’s always more than meets the eye when it comes to pool building materials.

If you live in an area where summers are blazing hot, you know concrete decks and bare feet don’t mix well. Natural materials aren’t only pleasing to the eye--they’re easy on the toes.

When choosing the materials for your pool deck surface, be sure you pay attention to heat resistance. You won’t go wrong with travertine, granite, or flagstone. None of these get too hot to touch.

Slate is another natural stone known for its ability to temper the heat. Look at roofs in some of the hottest climates in the world. They're often built with slate.

Speaking of heat resistance, natural stones also withstand freezing temperatures. Even if you live in an area where winter is a short season, you may still deal with the freeze/thaw cycle.

Why are we discussing water and swimming pools in the same sentence as if they don't naturally go together?

When selecting your pool materials, water is one of the main considerations. The pool surface, walls, and floor must be waterproof.

Consider this: An average size swimming pool contains between 18,000 and 20,000 gallons of water. If left uncovered, around two inches of that water evaporates each week. Using porous materials could result in even more water seeping from the pool.

Natural stone tiles, if sealed properly, are essentially waterproof.

The last thing you want in a pool building material is something that cracks under pressure.

Stones are tough material. When used for pool decks or coping, they don’t crack or break easily. It makes sense to choose materials known for resistance to the wear and tear expected poolside.

Most stones are also stain-resistant, which is a huge plus in the pool area. Depending on which type of natural stone you select, you can easily clean dirt and other stains without going through complicated cleaning routines.

When you use stones for pool coping, they come in large slabs or tiles. If one does suffer damage, you can replace only the affected piece without tearing out large sections.

When you create a pool area made from natural stone tiles, you not only reduce your pool maintenance, you minimize slip-and-fall risks.

We’ve all taken a spill while running on a pool deck. You won’t find a kid (or adult) who can resist taking a running leap into cool water on a hot day.

Granite, travertine, and limestone all offer the benefit of a non-slip surface. Even marble, a stone often associated with a glossy surface, is safe for pool areas as long as it has a tumbled finish.

Selecting stones with a slightly coarse finish guarantees the highest level of safety. Why not offer a non-skid surface for those swimmers who simply can’t walk slowly in the pool area?

We hope you enjoyed reading about the benefits of using natural stones for your backyard swimming pool.

As you now know, beauty isn’t the only consideration. You want a material that’s waterproof, heat resistant, durable, and safe. You also want something that ages well.

When you choose natural stones, you get all of the above. A stunning pool area where friends and family can feel safe and comfortable while swimming for years to come.

If you have more questions about caring for natural pool surfaces, contact us today!