Is Travertine Pool Deck Right For You? Pros & Cons
Whether you’re planning for a brand new backyard or giving your current yard a facelift, the decking material you choose can set the tone of your backyard aesthetic. Pool decking material can vary in look, feel, and price. You can choose between manufactured concrete pavers, elegant porcelain paver products, natural stone products, or an acrylic-topped concrete, often called cool deck.
Travertine is a natural stone product that’s a popular pool decking choice because of its appearance and durability in an outdoor environment. With the wide variety of colors and patterns that are available, how do you choose a Travertine that’s right for your backyard?
At California Pools & Landscape, we specialize in creating spectacular outdoor spaces and know that the perfect pool deck creates the foundation for your outdoor living environment. We’ve been building dream backyards since 1988 in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and we take great pride in all of the decking material that we offer.
In this article, you will learn why Travertine is such a popular decking choice for pools in Arizona, and we’ll show you examples of the beautiful shade variations that occur in these one-of-a-kind products made by Mother Nature. By the end of this article, you will know whether Travertine is the product that you want to use for your pool deck.
What is Travertine Pool Decking?
Travertine is a versatile, attractive, and functional material that is well-suited for use as a backyard decking and pool decking option. It is a popular choice among both pool owners and pool builders because of its durability, slip resistance, aesthetic appeal, and low maintenance requirements.
One of the best things about Travertine is its unique, one-of-a-kind beauty. Unlike cookie-cutter materials, Travertine is formed by nature through hot springs and limestone caves. This process results in stunning variations in color, texture, and pattern that will make your pool deck the envy of the neighborhood. Travertine is mined out of queries in Turkey, Mexico, China, Peru, and Iran.
But Travertine isn’t just a pretty face, it’s also tough as nails. This dense and hardy stone can withstand heavy foot traffic and the extreme weather that we endure in Arizona. In fact, we’ve found that it is so durable that we provide a lifetime warranty on it.
When the summer sun is beating down, Travertine will stay relatively cool to the touch, so you can enjoy your backyard paradise without burning your toes. Plus, its slip-resistant surface ensures that your pool deck is safe for all of your splashy fun.
Pros and Cons Of Travertine Pool Decking
Pros
- Lifetime material warranty on new pool installations
- Luxurious aesthetic appearance
- Low maintenance requirements
- Durable natural stone
- Meets industry standards for slip resistance
- Typically 30% cooler than concrete decking
Cons
- Shade and texture variations
- Subject to limited availability
- More expensive than other types of pavers
- Travertine is porous, which could make it susceptible to staining
What Do Travertine Shade Variations Look Like In Real Life?
Because Travertine is a natural product, it comes as is after it is cleaned, processed, and cut into appropriate sizes from the mine. As a natural stone, there is no way to guarantee consistent colors or patterns across the block. In addition, once a shade runs out, it isn’t possible to make more until miners discover a similar shade of stone. If you’re looking for consistent color and texture, Travertine might not be the right product for you.
It can be tough to fully picture material in your backyard when looking at sample pieces in our showrooms. In an effort to show some of the possibilities of our Travertine products that are available, here are images of each line from our supplier to our showroom and finally in an Arizona backyard.
Arctic Gray Travertine
Wide shade variation
Arctic White Travertine
Wide shade variation
Arena Crema Travertine
Concha Travertine
Crema Travertine
Desert Cream Travertine
Frost Travertine
Mexican Noche Travertine
Noce Nuevo Travertine
Nuez Travertine
Perla Blanca
Pearla Rosada Travertine
Pearlescent Travertine
Rio Azul Travertine
Sabbia
San Pedro
Sedona Glacer Travertine
Wide shade variation
Silver
Silver Storm Travertine
Tuscan Noche Travertine
What Is The Warranty For Travertine Pool Deck?
When you’re making an investment in your outdoor living environment, it’s natural to wonder what happens if something goes wrong. We have such a strong belief in our Travertine products that we put a lifetime warranty on each piece of material in your backyard. We have found that Travertine withstands the extreme temperatures that it faces in our Sonoran desert.
If an incident occurs where a piece of your Travertine deck needs to be replaced, our Service & Warranty team will go to work to return your deck to a blemish-free look and feel. California Pools & Landscape will cover the replacement of a Travertine piece if there is a chip or break in the stone that is larger than your thumb or if there is a crack that is wider than a dime.
Warranty excludes replacement of pieces due to natural shade variations, veining, and texture, as it is a natural stone. If you powerwash your Travertine deck frequently, you might notice that the polymeric sand will need to be replaced at some point, and that is not included in the materials warranty. Chemical damage, effervescence, and degradation from improper drainage are also not warranted items.
Is Travertine Right For You?
If you’re still reading, congratulations, you made it through an enormous amount of imagery. So, what’s next?
If you’re looking for a pool deck that is durable, aesthetically pleasing, and covered with a lifetime warranty, Travertine might be a good fit for you. Chances are you saw some Travertine patterns that you liked and might need to narrow down your options. Seeing materials in person can help put things in perspective and help you envision the decking in your backyard. If you visit any of our 4 design centers in the valley, our team of experts will work with you to choose the perfect Travertine for your project!
However, if you aren’t sure that Travertine is the right choice for you, you can check out other decking options that are available to you. Our team of talented designers will help you choose the decking option that best fits your backyard goals for design and budget.
