Artistic Pavers - Shellock or Stonelock

12 years ago

We are interested in using either Shellock or Stonelock Artistic Pavers for the decking around our pool. We really like the look of the pavers and available 12"x12" coping. We also like the Ashlar pattern they are laid in for the decking.

One of the pool builders we are considering recommends them highly and stated they are higher quality than the typical concrete pavers.

We spoke to another of the pool builders we are considering and he stated that his company stopped using them a couple of years ago due to quality issues w/the shells coming out and issues with the coping.

Has anyone used Artistic Pavers? How do they hold up over time? Are they worth the extra expense? Is travertine a better option?

Thamks in advance for your help!

Featured Answer

c9pilot

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

After nearly four years with the Shellock, I still love it.

No, it's not slippery, and it stays pretty cool in the hot sun. A shell or two might've fallen out, but nothing noticeable.

Coping has been great. We don't have any stains, even from plants that have dripped on it. Some banana goop (from the cut plant, not from the goop) which stains really badly on clothes did drip on it, but a splash of muratic acid (when I was already adding it to the pool anyway) took the stain right out.

I would still recommend it to anyone, even though it does cost more (shipping, because those pavers weigh A LOT)

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Comments (15)

c9pilot
12 years ago
I just got Shellock because I love the shell and am very tired of regular concrete pavers. They definitely stay cooler in direct sun than our neighbors pavers. The Stonelock is pretty neat, too, but a
title harder to clean, according to the couple of PBs we talked to about it.
We haven't had ours long enough to judge durability, but they are used in a lot of commercial establishments here in Florida. The pool at Sarasota Yacht Club is surrounded by ivory Shellock and they have problems keeping it clean the very high traffic areas - where non-pool traffic passes by stairs.
I know shells are going to come out here and there. If it bothers me I can just fill it with grout. I don't think it's any worse than the chipping and wearing I see on concrete pavers.
Also, I don't think it's as slippery when wet as travertine. More than regular pavers which I think are often rough.
Hopefully you can see the real thing before you have to decide. I loved it when I saw a corner of an indoor showroom with it.
One local builder here had a showroom pool with it, which helped me decide.
lizert
9 years ago
I am getting ready to purchase Shellock Artistic Pavers for my pool deck. Does anyone have this product and can you tell me the pros and cons? Was it slippery after being sealed? Do the shells come off? Anyone have problems with renovation coping? Any reviews would be helpful. Thank you.
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We still love the Artistic Pavers. They stay very cool in the hot sun (our pool is on the west side of our house, no cage, no shade), not slippery at all, no efflorescence. You know that the Shellock has pieces of shell in it, so that the surface is not slick-smooth - shells are hollow, so there are indentations and 1/2 shells throughout. In a few places, the shell has come out, leaving a small, shell-shaped hole. Not noticeable except to me studying closely, but might bug some finicky people. I only notice because I love looking for interesting shells in the pavers. Also, Sarasota Yacht Club has the very white version, and they have problems keeping it clean in the very high-traffic areas (stairs where literally everyone funnels through). Not sure if there is a way to seal them because I think it would be a problem with any white concrete paver, being made of a porous material. Not a problem in a residential setting, however. You may want to go darker under the cage and shade to absorb more sun. Our neighbors on the same side have a much darker pool and darker travertine under a cage and still stay cooler (i.e. we get pool time before their pool is warm enough). But they don't get the "too hot" pool in the worst of the summer (which we didn't get last year, but did for about two weeks the year before - depends on the amount of cooling rain). Have you checked with the company to find dealers yet? All the dealers should have a sample board and a couple of sample pavers. They do require a bit of special handling - they are much heavier than regular concrete pavers - when you see one up close you'll get it - much denser - but you pay an extra shipping charge for it. Also use crushed concrete vice sand for underlaying the pavers. You should probably check with the company about laying over existing concrete to make sure you can do that. The Corallock is also very pretty and I debated that one, too, but I just loved the shells. I think the issues are the same however. Where is your vacation house? You can stop by to see and touch ours if you are driving by (i.e. if you fly into Tampa we are exactly 30min drive). R/Lisa Here is a link that might be useful: Not-so-New Blue Pool blog
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wow, they look they're doing a great job laying them in there. they look awesome. the pictures help alot, now that i can see how much the water affects the tone in photos, i see why the artistic site is so off. i looked back through their site at the stonelocks and realized they had the stones watered down in almost every shot. you can really see the diff in 19 and 21, which look like they are the only ones that are dry... thanks a ton for th pics, gives me some confidence in the materials! Here is a link that might be useful: artistic site
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lizert
9 years ago
Thank you, I feel better about my decision already. Can you tell me if your coping was new construction coping, or renovation coping? (The renovation coping goes over existing tile and has a small piece that comes down over the edge). They use epoxy and pins (from what I understand) to attach the smaller edge piece to the coping. I'm curious if this piece comes loose at all. Thank you again.
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Artful Pools Design and Consulting
9 years ago
Artistic pavers are considered the best paver around pools. The are higher psi than regular pavers, less sand joints and higher quality finish look. They were designed and manufactured by Dan Essig fro Essig Pools in Miami Fla. I have used for over 10 years with not complaints.
Mark
Marcia Costa
6 years ago
Can someone post pictures of pool decks? thank you!
Richard Mueller
6 years ago
Donna Hedgepeth
3 years ago
Do you have to seal Artistic pavers?
HU-593985773
2 years ago
Torn between Belgard Oceanside shell pavers or Artistic Pavers? Any thoughts? Feedback?
chispa
2 years ago
@HU-593985773, I am using the Shellock pavers from AP in my my new house. It will go on the lanai and around the pool. I didn't look at the Belgard version as I have friends that have been using Artistic Pavers for ten years and been very happy with them. They recently moved and used them again in their new house. I am using driveway pavers from Belgard and it was really hard to get samples and find inventory with the look/style I wanted. I knew I was using the Shellock early on so we got those ordered a while back. You might want to check inventory on both options and see what you can get in time for your project.
Donna Reed
last year
Has anyone had issues with "rust" colors coming out of their pavers (only installed 2 weeks)! I'm freaking out! It wasn't there at first and now it is coming out all over. I've heard it can be a part of the stone and will eventually run it's course and have heard its from a contanimated paver base. HELP!!!
chispa
last year
last modified: last year
Not all pavers are the same.

Looks like yours are natural stone. There are several threads on here about people having rust stains with natural pavers.

I have no staining on my Shellock Ivory pavers from Artistic Pavers and they were installed 10 months ago.
Donna Reed
last year
I definitely wanted a natural stone. I never heard of this being an issue before!!
Ashley McAlister
last year
Mine were just installed a few months ago, and I am having rust spots as well. Also having discoloration in the joint lines after the pavers get wet. Overall, so far I regret not going with travertine. They also stain super easy. Got mud on a few spots and I have tried multiple things, even bleach, and cannot remove the stain from the mud even though we washed off very soon. Also, the lines from the intall are off because some pavers are not exact size, so I have gaps in them (waiting on paver install company to fix). My neighbors travertine has such a clean look installed, you don't see the gaps like you do with these because of the beveled edges. Lastly, they are just as slippery as travertine.
Angie Crutchfield
8 months ago
@Donna Reed did you figure out what caused your staining or anything to resolve it?

Artistic Pavers - Shellock or Stonelock

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