Is Flagstone Good to Put Around a Pool?

Slip-Resistant

• Some flooring options, such as ceramic tile and polished concrete, are smooth and sleek, making them unsafe for pool areas. Flagstone, by contrast, has slip-resistant characteristics. Due to its natural ridges and indentations, the surface of flagstone is contoured and provides traction, yet it's also comfortable to walk on. Protective treatments are available for flagstone, but the sealants often make the surface slippery.

Low Maintenance

• Flagstone is an effective walkway and patio flooring option for pool areas because it's easy to maintain. There's no need to wash or stain flagstone. The stone is naturally heat- and moisture-resistant, making it a strong and durable. You can place flagstone pavers directly on the ground and don't need to worry about acid deterioration from the chemicals and nutrients in the soil. Flagstone holds up well in high foot-traffic areas.

Color Variations

• The color characteristics of flagstone often change depending on environmental factors. Pavers can look completely different outdoors when they are wet than indoors in home improvement showrooms. You might want to purchase several pavers, place them near your pool area and splash water on them to examine what they look like when they're wet. For example, subtle tan hues might have a brighter yellow-gold appearance, and muted grays might have a blue tint when they're wet.

Flagstone Stamped Concrete

• Natural flagstone isn't completely weather resistant and could flake or peel from sun exposure, erosion and inclement weather. Concrete is an alternative to natural flagstone that can be stamped to look like flagstone. Some stamped concrete is made from more than one color, so it closely resembles the color variations and natural characteristics of flagstone. According to professionals at River Pools in West Virginia, stamped concrete costs much less than natural flagstone and is covered with protective sealers to safeguard against pool chemicals, such as salt. The likelihood of cracking and slippery surface conditions are two major disadvantages of installing stamped concrete pavers around a pool.