Ideas for pool surround

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 34

Ideas for pool surround

Paving around the poolside can be aesthetically interesting, as well as durable and functional. The surround of a pool plays a vital role in integrating the whole area and therefore deserves . careful thought. ■-. Even the most uninspiring pool area can be brought beautifully to life with an imaginative surround. If your poolside area is reasonably sized, a mixture

of paving materials can look effective. Sandstone, brick, slate, tiles and timber can all be used as decking materials. Plants, flowers, and shrubs all increase the attention to the poolside area. Provision can be made to leave one or two planter areas aside, when laying the paving. These planter areas are best away from the main, traffic routes to the pool. Paving around the pool

must satisfy certain requirements, the most important being safety. A non-slip, nonabrasive surface is essential. Avoid high-gloss surfaces or those which become slippery when wet. Make sure that the im-

mediate pool surrounds — the walkway areas — are level. If using stone, slate, bricks or slabs, these should be flush against each other. Stepping on to hot paving is no fun — remember that light colours reflect heat and dark ones absorb it.