Choosing the Right Pool Deck Material for Long Island
Your pool deck is more than a surface to walk on. It is the foundation of your entire backyard experience, the space where your family spends summer afternoons and where you entertain guests on warm evenings. On Long Island, pool deck materials need to handle unique challenges: scorching summer heat, harsh winter freeze-thaw cycles, pool chemical exposure, and salt air in coastal communities like Northport and Great Neck. The material you choose affects safety, comfort, maintenance, and how your backyard looks for decades. Here is a detailed look at the best options available in 2026.
Concrete Pavers: The Most Popular Choice
Concrete pavers are the leading pool deck material on Long Island, and it is easy to see why. They offer the best combination of durability, design flexibility, and value. Brands like Cambridge and Nicolock manufacture pavers specifically designed for pool environments, with textured surfaces that provide slip resistance when wet. Pavers handle Long Island's freeze-thaw cycles exceptionally well because the individual units flex independently rather than cracking like a solid slab. If a single paver is damaged, it can be replaced without disturbing the surrounding area. Installed cost for concrete paver pool decks runs $25 to $55 per square foot, with most projects in the $30 to $45 range. Design options are nearly limitless, from clean modern layouts to classic herringbone and fan patterns.
Travertine: The Premium Cool-Surface Option
Travertine has become increasingly popular for pool decks in upscale Long Island communities like Garden City, Great Neck, and Syosset. Its biggest advantage is that it stays remarkably cool underfoot, even on the hottest summer days. The natural porosity of travertine prevents heat buildup, making it one of the most comfortable materials for barefoot use around the pool. Tumbled travertine also provides excellent slip resistance when wet. The look is warm and elegant, with creamy ivory, tan, and gold tones that create a resort-style atmosphere. Installed costs range from $30 to $55 per square foot. The main drawback is maintenance. Travertine requires sealing every 1 to 2 years to protect against staining from pool chemicals and organic matter. Premium-grade travertine rated for freeze-thaw conditions is essential for Long Island installations.
Bluestone: Classic Northeast Character
Bluestone is a natural stone with deep roots in Long Island architecture and landscaping. Its blue-gray tones complement traditional homes beautifully, and its natural cleft surface provides good traction around pools. Bluestone is extremely durable and handles Long Island winters with minimal risk of cracking or spalling. It requires less frequent sealing than travertine, though periodic sealing helps maintain the color and prevents staining. The main consideration for pool decks is that darker bluestone absorbs heat and can become uncomfortable in direct sun on hot days. Choosing lighter-colored bluestone or thermal-finished varieties helps reduce heat absorption. Installed costs run $35 to $65 per square foot, placing it in the premium category alongside travertine.
Stamped Concrete: Budget-Friendly with Design Options
Stamped concrete gives you the look of natural stone or pavers at a lower price point. It is poured as a continuous slab and then stamped with patterns and colored to mimic materials like slate, flagstone, or brick. Installed costs range from $15 to $30 per square foot, making it the most affordable option after plain concrete. Stamped concrete can look impressive when freshly installed, but it has drawbacks around pools. The surface can become slippery when wet unless a non-slip additive is applied during finishing. Over time, the color can fade and the sealer coating needs to be reapplied every 2 to 3 years. Cracking is also a concern on Long Island because a continuous slab is vulnerable to freeze-thaw movement. Repairs to stamped concrete are difficult to match in color and pattern, making cracks more noticeable than they would be on a paver surface.
Plain Concrete: The Basic Option
A standard broom-finished concrete pool deck is the most budget-friendly option at $10 to $20 per square foot installed. The broom finish provides adequate slip resistance, and concrete is a proven, durable surface. However, plain concrete is prone to cracking over time, especially in Long Island's climate. It can also become very hot underfoot in direct sunlight. Concrete is best suited for homeowners who want a functional pool deck at the lowest cost and are comfortable with a utilitarian appearance. For most Long Island homeowners investing in a pool, upgrading to pavers or natural stone delivers a much better long-term return.
Key Factors for Choosing Your Pool Deck Material
- Slip resistance: Safety comes first around pools. Tumbled travertine and textured concrete pavers offer the best wet traction. Natural cleft bluestone and broom-finished concrete also perform well. Smooth or honed surfaces should be avoided.
- Heat absorption: Travertine and light-colored pavers stay the coolest underfoot. Dark bluestone and plain concrete get the hottest. If your pool deck gets full afternoon sun, surface temperature matters.
- Freeze-thaw durability: Concrete pavers and bluestone handle Long Island winters best. Quality travertine rated for freeze-thaw also performs well. Stamped and plain concrete are most vulnerable to cracking from frost heave.
- Maintenance requirements: Plain concrete and bluestone require the least ongoing maintenance. Pavers need occasional polymeric sand replenishment. Travertine and stamped concrete require periodic sealing.
- Budget: Plain concrete starts at $10 per square foot, stamped concrete at $15, concrete pavers at $25, travertine at $30, and bluestone at $35. For a 500-square-foot pool deck, that translates to a range of $5,000 to $32,500 installed.
Get Expert Pool Deck Advice
Your pool deck is a significant investment, and the right material choice ensures you enjoy it for decades. At Brothers Paving & Masonry, we specialize in pool deck installations across Long Island, including Great Neck, Garden City, Syosset, Northport, and Huntington. We will visit your home, assess your pool area, show you material samples in your actual outdoor lighting, and provide a detailed estimate. Contact us for a free consultation and let us help you create the pool deck your family deserves.