Installing a swimming pool is a major excitement for any family. It promises summers of fun, exercise, and relaxation. However, the pool itself is just a hole filled with water. The area around the pool—the pool deck—is where you will actually spend most of your time. Whether you are sunbathing, supervising the kids, or hosting a pool party, the functionality and safety of your pool deck are paramount.
For homeowners in Altoona, IA, choosing the right hardscaping for the pool area is critical. You need materials that can withstand chlorine or salt water, resist the freeze-thaw cycle, and remain cool and slip-resistant under the summer sun.
Why Pavers Beat Concrete for Pool Decks
Traditionally, many pools were surrounded by poured concrete. While cheap, concrete has significant downsides in the Iowa climate. It cracks. When the ground in Altoona, IA freezes and expands, rigid concrete slabs inevitably fracture. Around a pool, these cracks are not just ugly; they are tripping hazards.
Interlocking pavers are the superior choice for pool decks.
· Safety: Modern pavers are manufactured with non-slip textures, providing grip even when wet. This is essential for the safety of running children.
· Reparability: If a pipe beneath the deck needs repair, you can unzip the pavers, fix the pipe, and put the pavers back. With concrete, you have to jackhammer the deck and leave an ugly scar.
· Heat Management: Light-colored pavers reflect sunlight, staying cooler on bare feet than dark concrete or composite decking.
Creating Zones for Entertainment
A well-designed poolscape is zoned for different activities. You don’t want the dining table right next to the diving board where splash-out will soak your burgers.
Experienced landscape designers in Altoona, IA will create distinct areas:
· The Sun Zone: South-facing areas for lounge chairs to catch the rays.
· The Shade Zone: A pergola or pavilion structure to provide relief from the midday heat.
· The Splash Zone: Durable, open areas near the pool entry for high traffic.
By defining these zones using different paver patterns or borders, the space feels organized and luxurious, much like a high-end resort.
Integrating Softscaping
Too much stone can make a pool area feel stark and hot. “Softscaping” (plants) is needed to soften the edges. However, choosing plants for a pool area in Altoona, IA requires strategy. You want to avoid messy trees that drop leaves or seeds into the filter.
Designers typically choose clean, structural plants like ornamental grasses or compact shrubs. Privacy is also a major concern. A “living wall” of Arborvitae or tall grasses can screen your pool area from neighbors, creating a private oasis.
Lighting for Night Swims
The fun shouldn’t stop when the sun goes down. Lighting around a pool is crucial for safety and ambiance. Unlike the harsh floodlights of the past, modern LED landscape lighting is subtle.
· Hardscape Lights: Installed under the coping (the edge of the pool) or into the steps to illuminate the perimeter.
· Uplighting: Highlighting the trees or structures around the pool to create depth.
This transforms the black hole of a pool at night into a glowing, inviting centerpiece.
Conclusion
A swimming pool is a significant investment, and the landscape around it should reflect that quality. Don’t settle for a plain concrete slab that will crack in a few years. By investing in a custom paver pool deck and thoughtful landscape design, you create a resort-style experience right in your backyard. For homeowners in Altoona, IA, Larkin Landscape & Design offers the expertise to merge safety, durability, and beauty into the ultimate poolside retreat.