Paving laid by
Travertine and Porcelain Pool Surrounds
Prime Paving Canberra lays pool surrounds and coping in travertine or porcelain, set in mortar, for Canberra homes. The base goes in first, so the finished surround is firm and even.
If you're paving around a new pool or replacing an old surround, we measure the space and quote on the work involved.
Pool Paving Materials
Travertine and porcelain give a pool surround a different look and need different care. The right choice depends on the finish you like, whether the product suits a wet outdoor area, and your budget.
Natural Stone01Travertine is a natural limestone with variation in colour, pattern and surface texture. Cream, ivory and earthy tones give a pool a natural look.
Because it is stone, the product, cleaning and any recommended sealing should be thought through before it is laid.
Manufactured02Porcelain is a manufactured tile that comes in a range of finishes, including stone-look designs. It generally absorbs very little water.
The specific product still needs to suit an outdoor pool surround and the way it will be laid.
Pool Coping
Pool coping is the row of paving that finishes the edge of a pool, where the water meets the surrounding surface. It shapes how the pool looks and how comfortable the edge feels when people sit on it or hold onto it.
Bullnose coping has a rounded front edge. It gives a softer edge for sitting on and holding onto at the side of the pool.
Drop Face
BullnoseDrag the handle to compare bullnose and drop face coping
Drop face coping extends down the front of the pool edge for a deeper, squarer look. The exact profile and how it is fixed depend on the pool and the product.
Coping can be chosen to suit the surrounding paving, depending on the products available.
Ask About Pool CopingHow It Is Installed
The paving you see is only part of the finished job. What sits underneath matters for how stable the surface is and how well it lasts.
Where a suitable concrete slab forms the base, the pavers are bedded in mortar on top of it. The slab has to suit the site, the paving and the pool around it.
We also lay pavers in mortar on 100 mm of compacted road base, crushed rock packed down to a firm layer. For suitable jobs, this is often the more cost effective option.
The right approach depends on the existing surface, the ground, drainage, the pavers you choose and how they need to be laid. We measure the area before preparing a quote.
Why Choose Us
01You deal with the person who measures your pool area and lays the paving, so the job is never handed to an installer you haven't met.
02The quote accounts for the area, the existing surface and the preparation needed before the pavers go down.
03We work with travertine and porcelain and can talk through how your paving fits the rest of the outdoor area.
04We take enquiries across Canberra and surrounding areas and measure the work before quoting.
Installation Process
Every job starts with the site and the condition of what is already there. The work can differ between a newly built pool and an established backyard.
We measure the proposed pool paving area before preparing your quote.
Where needed, old concrete, paving or turf is removed and cleared away. This is included in the quote.
The base is prepared to suit the pavers and the way they will be laid.
Travertine or porcelain pavers are laid in mortar, with cuts made to suit the shape of the area.
Levels and drainage around a pool need planning so water runs away from the pool and nearby buildings rather than pooling on the paving.
Pool Paving Costs
Pool paving costs vary because no two surrounds need the same materials or preparation. We measure the area and quote on the work your project needs.
Larger surrounds need more paving and more time to lay.
Existing concrete, ground conditions and the work under the pavers all affect the quote.
Travertine and porcelain vary in size, finish and price.
The pool shape, edge profile and amount of cutting affect labour and materials.
Taking out old surfaces adds labour and disposal.
Narrow side access makes it harder to move materials and equipment.
Tell us roughly how big the area is, what is there now and where the property is. We'll arrange to measure the job and prepare a quote.
Existing Pool Areas
If existing pool paving has cracked, shifted or simply dated, both the pavers and the surface beneath them need assessing before any replacement is agreed.
Depending on the job, that can mean removing the old paving, preparing the base and laying new travertine or porcelain. Coping needs its own assessment, because it depends on how it is fixed and the condition of the pool edge beneath it.
Pool surrounds get wet, so slip resistance matters. The Australian handbook HB 198:2014 recommends P4 on the wet pendulum test and B on the wet barefoot ramp test for level pool surrounds.
Ramps and steps that lead into the water call for more grip: P5 and C. Check the exact product's test results with the supplier before you choose.
Pool Paving Questions
The price is confirmed on the quote, after we measure the pool edge. It comes from the length and shape of the edge, the coping material and edge profile, and the work needed under it.
An existing pool surround can sometimes be resurfaced or replaced, depending on its condition and the proposed installation. The area needs assessing before the scope of work is set.
For level pool surrounds, HB 198:2014 recommends P4 on the wet pendulum test and B on the wet barefoot ramp test. Steps and ramps may need different ratings. Always check the particular paver and where it is going.
Porcelain barely does. It is pressed into a dense tile that absorbs 0.5% of its weight in water or less. Travertine is natural stone, so check with the supplier that the product is made for a wet pool surround.
Bullnose and drop face coping have different edge profiles and looks. The best option depends on the pool, the product, comfort and the finish you prefer. A product suited to wet pool areas is essential.
Not always. Pavers can be laid in mortar on a suitable slab or on compacted road base. The right construction depends on the ground, drainage, the pool, the product and how it needs to be laid.
With the base prepared to the Australian standard, pool paving should last 20 to 30 years. The base and the drainage around the pool decide most of that.
That depends on how the coping is fixed and the condition of the pool edge beneath it. Some jobs only replace the top pieces; others need more preparation. The existing edge has to be assessed before the work is quoted.
Have a Pool Paving Question?
Ask Your Question on the Contact PageAround the Pool Area
A pool surround usually connects to the house, the lawn and the rest of the backyard, so it helps to plan the paving around it as one job.
01Outdoor Entertaining AreasExtend the pool paving into a patio for outdoor dining beside the pool.
02Paths, Steps and CourtyardsA paved path from the back door to the pool gate, with steps where the yard slopes.
03Outdoor TilingPorcelain tiles for a covered alfresco next to the pool, in a matching or contrasting tone.
04Driveway PavingClay paver driveways laid on compacted road base and bedding sand.Tell us everything you're thinking of when you enquire and it can be measured in one visit.
Pool Paving Quotes
Prime Paving Canberra lays travertine and porcelain paving for pool areas across Canberra and surrounding areas, including Yass, Goulburn, Braidwood and Cooma.
Tell us where you live, roughly how big the area is and what surface is there now. We'll measure the job and quote on the work involved.
Questions About Your Pool Area? Call (02) 6189 4970
