Much like pool tiles, your choice of poolside pavers plays a crucial role in shaping your pool area’s overall look and functionality. Whether you’re in the process of constructing a new pool or giving an existing one a makeover, selecting the perfect paver requires careful consideration. While Klay is well-versed in the world of ceramics, when it comes to natural stone, the team needed to call in the expert. Fortunately, they knew just who to speak with.
Meet Brad Sayers, national sales manager of Pavers Plus stone importers and retailers. Brad has been in the stone game for more than 17 years (most of his working life!). Klay sat down with Brad to unveil the ‘stone-cold’ facts about paving. Which stone stays coolest underfoot? How can you tell the difference between good and poor-quality items? Which stone is susceptible to salt and chlorine? What is the difference between a “bullnose”, “drop-face” and a “rebated edge”? These questions are answered, and a whole lot more.
David: Natural materials like limestone, granite, bluestone, marble and quartzite, are a popular choice for outdoor environments like a pool area. What separate them in terms of their suitability and performance over time in this pool setting?
Brad: Most types of natural stone are great options for outdoor areas and around pools, and all will have their pros and cons that should be weighed up before you choose your product. Bluestone is by-far our most popular product for any type of area. While it can heat up a bit on very hot days, it’s also hard-wearing, has a neutral colour tone that goes hand-in-hand with a number of different home designs and styles, and its imperfections and natural look make it a timeless option that won’t date. Similarly, travertine and limestone share all the same characteristics with their rustic finish and look, and actually tend to stay quite cool under foot even on hot days which make it a great option but can be susceptible to salt which means some extra sealing steps are needed for use around pools. Granite is generally the option we recommend most because it’s very low maintenance and has a wide choice of colour options to choose from, which means you’re almost guaranteed to find an option that will suit your area. In terms of slip-resistance, there are a range of finishes to choose from in each product, and we make sure to point our customers in the direction of slip-resistant finishes such as flamed, sandblasted, sawn and split finishes for peace-of-mind.
To read more on this topic, head to Klay’s website.
