Pool Paving Guide: What to Consider for a Safe, Beautiful Pool Surround

Pool paving is one of the most enjoyable paving projects — you're creating a space that gets used and appreciated every summer. But it has specific requirements that differ from a driveway or patio. Get it right and it's a space the family will love for decades.

Safety First: Non-Slip is Non-Negotiable

The most important characteristic of any pool paving surface is grip when wet. A smooth, polished surface that looks beautiful when dry becomes dangerously slippery when splashed with water — and around a pool, it's always wet.

Materials with a naturally textured or slightly rough surface are the right choice. Standard clay and cement paving bricks have enough surface texture to provide adequate grip. Certain flagstones have a naturally riven surface that provides excellent traction. Highly polished or smooth-finished tiles are generally not suitable for pool surrounds in our climate.

Heat Absorption: Colours and Materials Matter

In a Gauteng summer, dark paving surfaces can get uncomfortably hot underfoot — hot enough to be painful for children. This is particularly relevant around a pool where people will be walking barefoot throughout the day.

Lighter coloured bricks and stones absorb less heat than dark ones. Flagstones in lighter tones, lighter clay bricks and lighter cement bricks are popular around pools for exactly this reason. If you love the look of darker paving, consider whether the area will be in shade during the hottest part of the day before committing.

Drainage: More Critical Here Than Anywhere

A pool surround deals with more water than almost any other paved area — splash water, rain, and the occasional pool overflow. Without good drainage, water sits on or under the paving, eventually undermining the base and causing sinkage or lifting.

The surface should be graded (sloped) away from the pool edge and toward drainage points. Channel drains around the pool perimeter are common on well-designed installations. Water should not be directed toward the house foundations.

Material Options for Pool Surrounds

Flagstones (Our Top Recommendation)

Large-format flagstones are a popular choice for pool surrounds because they look beautiful, have a natural texture that provides grip, and their size means fewer joints where dirt and algae can accumulate. We use a three-size LaCotta cobble arrangement that creates a natural, organic look. Lighter flagstone tones stay cooler underfoot.

Corobrick Clay Bricks

Lighter-toned Corobrick — Cederberg particularly — works well around pools. Clay bricks have a naturally textured surface, good durability, and the colour runs through the brick so chips aren't obvious. The smaller unit size also means repairs are easier if needed.

Bevel Bond Cement Bricks

Available in lighter colours including near-white, bevel bond bricks are a cost-effective option. They work well if the right colour is chosen. Choose lighter tones and ensure adequate drainage.

The Coping Edge

The coping — the edge that runs along the pool wall — is a specific design element worth thinking about. It needs to be safe to sit on, comfortable for hands to grip, and tidy in appearance. Some homeowners opt for a different material at the coping edge than the rest of the surround. Discuss this with your contractor when planning.

Maintenance Considerations

Pool surrounds need cleaning more often than most paved areas because of algae growth in moist conditions. Textured surfaces clean well with a pressure washer. Very rough surfaces can harbour algae more easily but are safer underfoot. This is a genuine trade-off — most homeowners prioritise safety and find the maintenance manageable.

Over time, pool chemicals (particularly chlorine) can affect some materials. Clay bricks and natural stone are generally more resistant to chemical exposure than painted or coated surfaces.