Natural Stone for Pools: Designers’ Top Recommendations
Elegance meets durability in luxury pools
Sommaire
When designing a high-end swimming pool, selecting the right materials is crucial for achieving a balance between aesthetics, functionality, and longevity.
The best natural stone for swimming pools is a topic of interest among luxury homeowners, architects, and designers who seek elegance, durability, and a timeless appeal. Whether used for pool interiors, surrounding decks, or coping, natural stone offers an unmatched level of sophistication. But how do you choose the right material for your specific needs? This guide explores the best options available today.
Challenges of using natural stone in swimming pools
While natural stone offers exceptional beauty, certain challenges must be addressed to ensure durability and safety.
Water Resistance & Absorption
Some stones are more porous than others, requiring proper sealing to prevent water infiltration.
Chemical Exposure
Pool chemicals like chlorine and salt can affect certain stones, leading to discolouration or erosion.
Slip Resistance & Safety
Choosing non-slip natural stone for pool decks is essential to avoid accidents. Textured finishes significantly improve grip.
Weather Resistance
The stone should withstand extreme temperatures without cracking or fading.
Aesthetic Consistency
Harmonizing stone selection with the surrounding architecture and landscape enhances visual appeal.
⚠️ Key consideration
Selecting natural stone for a swimming pool goes beyond aesthetics. The material’s technical properties will determine its durability and safety in such a demanding environment.
Bespoke excellence
Each natural stone has its own unique characteristics, requiring a personalised approach. Our expertise allows us to adapt the selection and installation of materials to the specific needs of your project, ensuring a seamless and lasting integration. We meticulously handpick each stone to guarantee perfect harmony in tones and textures.
The key to success
The success of a natural stone pool project relies on a rigorous methodology, from material selection to installation. This meticulous attention to every stage ensures not only aesthetic excellence but also the longevity of your investment, preserving the stone’s natural beauty in a demanding environment.
Your vision, our expertise
We guide you through every step of the process, from selecting stones at the quarry to the final finishing touches. Our in-depth knowledge of natural materials, combined with technical mastery, allows us to bring your vision to life—creating an exceptional aquatic space that enhances your property.
Best natural stone for swimming pools
While several natural stones are ideal for pool applications, some are only suitable for decks and coping, as they lack the properties required for interior pool linings.
Travertine
It is one of the most popular choices for pool decks as it remains cool underfoot, ensuring comfort even during hot weather. Its slightly porous surface provides a natural grip, making it an excellent non-slip natural stone for pool decks. Travertine is also widely used for coping, where its warm, neutral tones add elegance to the pool’s edge. However, due to its porous nature, it is not recommended for pool interiors.
Blue stone
Particularly from Belgium and Asia, it is another sought-after option. It offers a modern and sophisticated look, with its deep grey-blue hues complementing contemporary designs. This stone is highly durable and weather-resistant, making it an excellent choice for both pool decks and coping. However, its usage for interior pool linings is limited due to its density and absorption properties.
Granite
For those looking for exceptional durability, granite stands out as a top contender. Known for its incredible strength and resistance to scratches, granite is a practical yet elegant option. It is suitable for pool decks, coping, and even as an alternative to tiles for pool interiors, thanks to its low porosity and ability to withstand constant exposure to water and chemicals.
Basalt
This volcanic rock is particularly suited for modern and infinity pools. Its contemporary dark tones create a dramatic contrast with water, making it an attractive choice for coping. Since basalt has an extremely low porosity, it is also a great option for choosing the right stone for infinity pool coping as well as for interior pool linings, ensuring a seamless and visually appealing design.
Quartzite
Quartzite is another premium choice, highly valued for its non-slip properties and weather resistance. Its striking natural textures and varied colour options make it a versatile stone that works beautifully for pool decks and coping. Additionally, due to its excellent water resistance, quartzite can be used for interior pool linings, offering a luxurious and distinctive alternative to traditional tiles. The Bali Stone, specifically Green Sukabumi Stone, is one of the most renowned examples of quartzite. Its natural durability, water resistance, and striking green hue make it a highly sought-after material for luxury pools and spa designs worldwide.
Infinity pool with an interior finish in Bali’s famous Green Sukabumi stone, a premium quartzite known for its elegance and durability.
Key takeaway: Choosing natural stone requires more than just an eye for aesthetics—it demands a deep understanding of its physical, chemical, and structural properties to ensure both beauty and longevity.
Expert note 🗒️
Selecting natural stone for an infinity pool is a delicate balance of aesthetics and performance. With over two decades of expertise, we have learned that the ideal stone must not only complement the design but also offer the perfect combination of density, porosity, and chemical resistance to withstand the unique demands of a pool environment.
Installation process and specific considerations
The process of installing natural stone varies depending on its intended location—whether it is for the pool deck, coping, or interior lining. Each application requires a tailored approach to ensure both durability and aesthetic harmony. Proper preparation, material selection, and installation techniques play a crucial role in the longevity and performance of the stone.
1
Coping stones
- Coping stones should be precisely aligned and securely fixed for a flawless finish.
- Choosing the right stone for infinity pool coping is crucial to achieving a seamless overflow effect.
- Basalt and granite are often preferred for infinity pools due to their resistance to water exposure.
- Jointing considerations: Joints should be minimal and properly sealed to maintain the visual continuity of the pool edge while preventing water seepage.
2
Pool finish
- Natural stone alternatives to pool tiles include granite, quartzite, and basalt, offering a luxurious and long-lasting alternative. Light-coloured stones improve water clarity, while darker shades create a dramatic luxury effect.
- Waterproof adhesives and joint sealants are essential to prevent leaks.The texture should be smooth yet resistant to algae buildup for a low-maintenance solution.
- Jointing considerations: For submerged areas, specialized waterproof grouts must be used to prevent deterioration and bacterial growth over time.
3
Pool Surroundings & Decking
- Preparing the foundation properly prevents shifting and cracking.
- Drainage considerations are crucial to prevent water pooling, ensuring safety and durability.
- Jointing considerations: Joints should be carefully selected based on the stone type to prevent cracking and water infiltration. A high-quality, flexible mortar should be used to accommodate natural expansion and contraction.
- Sealing the stone enhances its longevity and prevents water absorption
Finishes and care of natural stone in pool
Choosing the right stone finish
Choosing the right finish for natural stone is crucial for both aesthetics and functionality in a pool setting. Different finishes offer varying levels of slip resistance, texture, and durability.
✔ Brushed and Flamed Finishes: These finishes provide a textured surface that enhances grip, making them ideal for pool decks and beach entries where slip resistance is a priority.
✔ Honed Finish: A smooth, matte surface that offers a refined look, commonly used for interior pool linings, providing a sleek yet comfortable swimming experience.
✔ Tumbled Finish: A weathered and slightly rough finish that blends well with natural surroundings, offering both aesthetics and a comfortable underfoot feel.
✔Polished Finish: While visually striking, polished surfaces can become slippery when wet, making them less suitable for exterior use but an elegant choice for select indoor pool applications.
The right finish impacts aesthetics, slip resistance, and durability.
Preserving the beauty of natural stone in pools
Maintaining the beauty and durability of natural stone in and around a pool requires regular care and proper treatment. Frequent cleaning with pH-neutral products helps prevent staining and deterioration from chemicals, saltwater, and organic debris. Periodic sealing is essential, particularly for porous stones like travertine, to protect against moisture infiltration and algae growth. Specialised treatments can also enhance the stone’s resistance to environmental damage.
To preserve the surface, avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive tools, opting instead for soft brushes or non-scratch pads. Regularly inspecting joints helps prevent cracks and water seepage, ensuring both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Inside the pool, balanced water chemistry is key to preventing damage from chlorine and pH fluctuations.
With the right care and treatment, your pool area will remain an elegant and long-lasting feature for years to come.
READY TO BRING YOUR INFINITY POOL PROJECT TO LIFE?
Our experts are ready to provide you with a customised assessment.
Frequently asked questions
While high-quality mosaic tiles are often seen as a premium option, natural stone offers a luxury finish with superior durability and long-term value. The initial cost of travertine, granite, quartzite, or basalt may be higher than standard mosaic tiles, but the longevity, timeless aesthetics, and minimal maintenance make natural stone a cost-effective investment. Additionally, natural stone harmonises beautifully with outdoor landscapes, creating a seamless integration between the pool and its surroundings.
Slip resistance depends on the finish and stone type. For pool decks, brushed, flamed, or tumbled finishes provide a textured surface that enhances grip and safety. Travertine, quartzite, and flamed granite are among the best non-slip natural stone options for pool areas. For pool interiors, honed finishes offer a balance between comfort and practicality, ensuring a smooth but not overly slippery surface.
Infinity pools require precision in design and materials to ensure seamless water flow and long-lasting beauty. Basalt, granite, and quartzite are preferred for their low porosity, resistance to water exposure, and durability in continuous overflow conditions. Unlike synthetic materials, natural stone blends harmoniously with the landscape, enhancing the visual effect of the infinity edge.
Precision is key to maintaining the seamless overflow effect of an infinity pool. Coping stones must be perfectly leveled and aligned to maintain consistent water movement. Working with an experienced professional ensures that the stones are precisely cut, installed with minimal joints, and properly sealed to enhance the visual effect and structural longevity.
Conclusion
Natural stone is an exceptional choice for infinity pools, offering a perfect blend of durability, elegance, and seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. Unlike artificial materials, it provides unique textures and variations, enhancing the luxury and authenticity of a high-end pool environment. Its ability to withstand continuous water exposure and weather conditions makes it a superior, long-term investment.
Creating a flawless infinity pool with natural stone requires expert craftsmanship. From selecting the right type of stone and finish to ensuring precise installation, sealing, and alignment, each step demands technical expertise. Properly levelled coping stones and high-quality waterproofing are essential to achieving the perfect overflow effect while maintaining the structural integrity of the pool.
