25 Best Pool Decking Materials Compared
Imagine stepping out of the pool on a hot summer afternoon. The surface beneath your feet feels cool, safe, and stylish. That moment is shaped by one important choice: your pool decking material. It’s more than just flooring—it’s comfort, safety, and beauty wrapped together.
Choosing the right decking is like picking the personality of your backyard. Some options whisper luxury, while others scream durability. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’ve compared the 25 best pool decking materials. I’ll share how each one feels, looks, and performs, so you can picture it in your space and pick the one that truly fits your lifestyle.
1. Concrete Pool Decking
Concrete is the classic go-to. It’s affordable, versatile, and easy to shape into custom designs. Many homeowners love it because it can be stamped, stained, or brushed for texture.
Think of concrete as the reliable friend who’s always there. It holds up in different weather and offers slip-resistant finishes. The only catch? It can heat up in summer, so a textured or colored finish can make it more comfortable.
2. Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete takes regular concrete up a notch. With patterns that mimic stone, tile, or even wood, it blends durability with style.
This option is perfect if you love the look of natural materials but want a lower price tag. I’ve walked on stamped decks that looked like expensive slate until I bent down to touch them. It’s that convincing.
3. Natural Stone Pavers
Natural stone has an earthy, timeless charm. Options like travertine, limestone, and sandstone bring elegance to poolside spaces.
Each stone has unique textures and shades, making your pool area one of a kind. It’s durable, slip-resistant, and cool underfoot, though it can cost more than man-made choices.
4. Travertine Pool Decking
Travertine deserves its own spotlight. It’s a natural stone loved for staying cool in hot climates. Even barefoot in midsummer, you won’t feel like you’re stepping on fire.
Its porous texture also absorbs water, reducing slip risks. While pricier than concrete, many consider it worth the investment for comfort and luxury.
5. Composite Decking
Composite decking, made from recycled wood and plastic, is eco-friendly and low-maintenance. It doesn’t splinter, warp, or demand sealing like traditional wood.
What I love most is the consistency. Every board looks polished, and you can choose shades from rich brown to modern gray. If you want wood vibes without the upkeep, this is a winner.
6. Pressure-Treated Wood
Wood brings warmth and character to a pool deck. Pressure-treated lumber makes it affordable and resistant to rot.
It does need regular sealing to prevent warping or splinters. But if you enjoy the natural feel of wood underfoot, the effort can be worth it.
7. Cedar Decking
Cedar has a soft, inviting look with a natural resistance to insects and decay. It’s lighter in weight and often cooler to the touch than pressure-treated lumber.
Many people love cedar because it weathers gracefully into a silvery-gray tone. To keep its color, a protective stain is a good idea.
8. Redwood Decking
Redwood feels like luxury wood. It’s rich in tone and naturally resistant to insects and rot. When freshly installed, it shines with beauty.
Over time, it also needs sealing, but many homeowners find the look worth it. If you want a natural deck that makes a bold statement, redwood is a solid choice.
9. Tropical Hardwood (Ipe, Teak, Cumaru)
Tropical hardwoods are like the Rolls Royce of wood decking. Dense, durable, and exotic, they resist water and insects with ease.
They can be more expensive and harder to install because of their density. But once you see that polished finish, it’s hard not to fall in love.
10. Brick Pavers
Brick brings a timeless, rustic charm. It’s durable and can be laid in creative patterns like herringbone or basket weave.
The color tends to stay rich over time, though moss may grow in damp areas. Still, that old-world charm makes brick a favorite in many traditional homes.
11. Clay Tiles
Clay tiles bring a Mediterranean vibe. Their warm terracotta shades look stunning around pools, especially with stucco homes.
They do get hot underfoot, so they’re better in moderate climates. But the visual impact is undeniable—every time I see them, I feel transported to Spain or Italy.
12. Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain is sleek and modern. It’s non-porous, stain-resistant, and available in endless colors and textures.
This makes it ideal for a clean, polished pool deck. Plus, with slip-resistant finishes, it balances beauty with safety.
13. Rubber Pavers
Rubber pavers are like stepping onto comfort. Made from recycled rubber, they’re soft, slip-resistant, and shock-absorbent.
Families with kids love them because falls are gentler. They also resist heat, so you won’t burn your feet in summer.
14. Artificial Turf with Pavers
Blending turf with stone or concrete pavers creates a unique, playful look. The green grass effect softens the hardscape, making it feel natural.
It’s low-maintenance since the turf is synthetic. You get the look of grass without mud or mowing.
15. Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Exposed aggregate concrete reveals small stones mixed into the surface. It’s decorative and slip-resistant at the same time.
I’ve always loved how it sparkles in the sun. It’s like adding a touch of jewelry to your pool area.
16. Cool Deck Coating
Cool deck is a textured concrete coating designed to stay cooler than standard finishes. It’s often used in waterparks and public pools.
If bare feet comfort is your top priority, this is a practical option. It also comes in colors, so you don’t sacrifice style.
17. Stone Tiles (Granite, Slate, Marble)
Stone tiles bring high-end luxury. Granite is strong, slate has rustic charm, and marble feels sleek and elegant.
Each option makes a bold statement. They can be pricier, but if you want your pool to feel like a resort, stone tiles deliver.
18. Grass and Stepping Stones
Some homeowners blend natural grass with stepping stones for a soft, earthy vibe. It feels casual, fresh, and grounded in nature.
The challenge is maintenance—grass needs care, and water can muddy the area. But visually, it’s one of the most inviting choices.
19. Interlocking Deck Tiles
These are pre-made squares of wood, composite, or stone that snap together. They’re perfect for DIY projects.
You can cover an old surface quickly without heavy labor. The best part is their flexibility—you can replace individual tiles as needed.
20. Pebble-Finish Concrete
Pebble-finish decks embed small stones into concrete for texture and style. It’s durable and naturally slip-resistant.
The look is casual yet attractive, and it works well with natural landscaping. It’s also great for blending into water features.
21. Decorative Stamped Pavers
These pavers are factory-made with decorative patterns and colors. They give a high-end look without the high-end cost of stone.
They’re easy to install and replace. If one cracks, just swap it out. That’s a big plus compared to poured concrete.
22. Limestone Decking
Limestone has a soft, elegant look in shades of cream, tan, and gray. It’s smooth yet naturally slip-resistant.
It does need sealing to protect against stains, but its refined appearance makes it a popular choice for luxury homes.
23. Flagstone Decking
Flagstone offers wide, irregular slabs of stone in earthy tones. It feels natural and rustic, like stepping into a garden retreat.
It requires more effort to install, but the payoff is a unique, artistic pool area. Each piece feels like nature’s puzzle.
24. Painted Concrete Decks
Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint on concrete is all you need. With pool-safe paints, you can transform dull gray into bright blues, soft sands, or earthy reds.
It’s budget-friendly and flexible, though it may need touch-ups over time. But as a quick makeover, it’s hard to beat.
25. Mixed Material Decking
Why settle for one when you can blend? Many homeowners mix stone with wood, or pavers with turf, for a custom look.
This approach lets you play with textures and colors. It’s like designing your own outdoor artwork.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best pool decking material is like choosing the mood of your backyard. Do you want rustic charm, sleek luxury, or playful comfort? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
The right choice comes down to how you live, who uses the pool, and what feeling you want each time you step outside. Whether it’s the timeless beauty of stone, the low-maintenance ease of composite, or the family-friendly comfort of rubber, your deck should tell your story.
