I need some help with more of a decorating issue. We put in a outdoor kitchen 2 years ago on our lanai and stamped the concrete floor (ashler pattern). Now we're wanting to build a pool but aren't going to repeat the stamped concrete pattern around the pool due to how expensive it would be. My options are either pavers or acrylic decking w/o being charged an upgrade, i.e. artistic pavers. There will be flagstone coping around the pool & flower beds but don't know how to transition from the stamped concrete to the pool deck. I don't think pavers will be an option because I think it will look too busy w/ 2 different patterns so I think acrylic is the way to go. My question is would you do some type of transition from the stamped concrete to the acrylic deck? I was thinking of a band of flagstone to tie in from the pool. I'm not a big fan of acrylic decking so I'm trying to make it look a little fancier than regular decking. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Trying to figure out how to post a picture of our lanai....

Consider that before paver companies got so creative, it began with a simple brick shape and only a couple of colors. The colors are usually not pure, but mottled as part of the manufacturing process. (Cannot tell from the mfg. literature if this is the case here.) There are innumerable attractive, time-tested patterns that can be constructed with the standard brick shape: basketweave, herringbone, running bond, modified basketweave, stacked bond & probably more. I doubt that anyone who installed paving from these simple options was unhappy with the result. Personally, I prefer these 'old school' options. They always looks nice and stand the test of time, while many of the new color ranges and patterns that have been developed since, look unpleasant from the day they are installed! The one's with sharply contrasting colors in the mix look blotchy and garish to me. The one's with high texture can be difficult to walk on, if ever someone would show up in heels for the patio party. Barefooters might not care for them either. The 'Miami' model, with its uniformly wavy edge and perfectly rounded corners, looks like a fakey facsimile to me. I don't care much for the one they call 'Cobblestone.' 'Old Canada' seems OK in the picture, if the color is not too wild. But you cannot go wrong with the 4" x 8" brick. Another one I've found to look very good is the 4" x 4" square in running bond configuration. An important fact to keep in mind with paving is that light colors reflect the sun and can be absolutely blinding. It's almost always the case that darker is better. I would stick with grey, charcoal or red. I would also forget about white cement. It's for those who love a purer color, but generally, this is not an improvement outdoors. Usually, white cement costs more, too. Whatever you do, you can only get so far in narrowing choices via online or print materials. When you get it honed down to two or three possibilities, you must go to the paver yard and get samples. It is the only way to know if you're going to be satisfied with the end result. Get a half dozen of each sample so that you can mock up enough to give an idea of the result. Look at it on site from a distance in order to get the best feel for how it will look with its surroundings.

In my opinion, proper bonding is the most important aspect of a swimming pool. Improperly bonded or pools not bonded have caused deaths. It's not to be taken lightly. As I had stated, an electrician or pool pro who has knowledge of pool electricity is the best person to evaluate your current condition and advise you on any corrections to be made to bring it to the current code requirement and, make it safe. We have been required by town building depts. on some residential renovations to have a bond test performed by a trained individual to prove the current bonding is ok. A written document accompanies these tests. In New Jersey for instance, public pools must get tested and certified every 5 years for bonding. Diving boards are fine provided the pool meets the current standard for one.Yes, they are fun for the kids-and some adults!

I was in this exact same boat! Beacon Hill opal or Arcana! I like the look of beacon hill, but thought arcana would show less “wet areas” around the pool. Did you pick one? Any pictures? Thanks!