The Best Flooring for a Room by a Swimming Pool

Slate

• Slate flooring is an ideal option for a room that leads to a swimming pool area because it's durable and water-resistant, and pool chemicals won't harm it. Due to its natural stone characteristics, it provides an appealing transition from the outdoors to indoor living areas. Slate is maintenance-free, but requires a rubber mat for slippery, wet feet. Some flooring specialists and home improvement stores carry chemical products that can be applied to the surface to increase traction, even when it's wet. Slate is available in a variety of dark earth-tone colors, such as gray-blue, rustic brown, black, sage green, deep purple and charcoal.

Textured Linoleum

• Textured linoleum provides durability, traction and some moisture-resistance for floors that lead to swimming pool areas. Even though textured linoleum can't be used outdoors because the glues and sealants won't hold up under high-heat and high-moisture conditions, it's an ideal option for covered and temperature-controlled rooms. Smooth linoleum is slippery, but textured linoleum has surface variations that provide resistance against wet feet and damp shoes. Textured linoleum is available in a wide variety of colors, textures and patterns that are designed to resemble marble, stone, slate and tile.

Cement

• Cement flooring and cement tiles are beneficial in pool-bordering rooms, as long as the floors and tiles aren't polished smooth. Polished cement is slippery. You can paint or stain cement almost any color to coordinate with your room decor, so you aren't stuck with the traditional dull gray. Colorful, patterned cement tiles add visual interest to your space and transition beautifully from the outdoors. A disadvantage to cement floors is its susceptibility to cracking. Once it cracks, it can be very difficult to repair or replace.

Indoor-Outdoor Carpet

• Indoor-outdoor carpet is a suitable option for a room near a swimming pool. Because most indoor-outdoor carpet has a moisture-resistant backing and is made from durable fabrics and materials, it doesn't mold or mildew when it gets wet. Unfortunately, indoor-outdoor carpet is relatively thin and lightweight, so it doesn't provide much padding for wet, bare feet. Not all indoor-outdoor carpet is designed to get wet and some varieties won't protect against pool chemicals, so discuss the composition of materials with flooring specialists before you purchase.