The contractor who looked at pool/lanai deck today said that pavers were best long term solution-- said that taking the current surface off wasn't really necessary that they would lay a sand base and could level that to give even patio surface even if current surface is not level... Said that if you took it off you didn't know condition of the original surface under it Price including labor, new coping, taking out the bottom aluminum strip of screen cage to lay pavers and then replacing it and screen, and all pavers was just over 6K-- Also said pool itself looked in good shape--didn't really need resurfacing (which it doesn't) so didn't push for that... which was positive indicator to me that maybe he isn't out to gouge us... He has good recommendations on Angie's List and I can ask for other recommendations if we want them Also have couple of other people going to look at the patio Any suggestions for what type of pavers work best for pool decking... Most of the pavers I have seen for patios have been pretty rough and don't think they would be very comfortable for walking on in bare feet...but know we don't want something slick and dangerous... can they be treated with something to "cool" them down so they don't retain heat? These are questions I will email back to the contractor-- didn't think he would call back so quickly with his price so wasn't quite prepared... anyone have umbrella holes in a paver deck? are they worth the extra cost? there is no spa in this pool--and no sun/tanning ledge--so don't know if they would be that useful... appreciate info and if there are good pool designs posted here using pavers would appreciate knowing about them so can get some pictures...

This is a pretty traditional option for pool coping, and you could easily update it without doing anything to the coping itself. Are you wanting to give it a more modern vibe or just update it? If you are wanting a more modern look, it could be as simple as adding modern planters with plants that are symmetrical like the black planters in the image below. Stick with neutral colors and straight lines if modern is the vibe you are going for. If you are just looking to update the look and feel, depending on what already surrounds the pool you could build out the deck around the pool, add new patio furniture and a few plants, and it will feel like a whole new space. One ofour projects had a similar coping to yours, we built out the deck using different size pavers and added the modern black planter (behind the umbrellas and pool chairs).

Thanks for all your wonderful suggestions. I love both the grey and cream colour schemes. Provincial regulations require a fence around the pool which cannot be chain-link (which is climbable), however this unfenced pool dates to the 1960s, before those laws were in effect, and is therefore grandfathered. Needless to say, grandfathering doesn't prevent a child or pet from drowning, so one of our first priorities upon closing will be to erect a fence. To answer questions, and for clarification, the large entry door is not the main entrance to the house, unfortunately. The small door to the left is. The larger door leads to a room with a bar, which is directly under the master bedroom and connected to it with a staircase. We plan to remove the bar and make this area our home gym. The roof is not Spanish clay tile, but rather asphalt shingles in a mottled terra cotta, brownish colour. (The house - a second home for us - in the Laurentian mountains, an hour north of Montreal, so no terra cotta tiles around here!) It is indeed a very awkward layout that will be challenging. There are even weirder features inside, however the location (proximity to our home in Montreal) and large non-motorboat lake are spectacular, so those factors sold us!

Needing suggestions for area rug for living area in open concept. Couch is beige , brown leather recliner and side chair with patterned material...colors are gold, green, teal and beige.. I tend to stay in neutral colors but would like to step outside box. Any ideas appreciated!