Building the pool and deck as one job
We build the pool and deck as one job, and the deck goes down near the end, once the waterline tile and coping are in place. Tile and coping go on during or after the shell cure, and the deck follows them. Before the first paver goes down, the plumbing that runs under the deck has already been pressure tested and inspected, and some cities, Coral Gables and Homestead among them, inspect the deck stage on its own before the final. The whole order of work, from layout to start-up, is on our pool construction process.
Wiring runs under the deck too. The paved ground within 3 ft of the pool wall belongs to the bonding grid, so a solid #8 copper conductor is buried a few inches deep around the perimeter and tied to the shell steel before we cover it.
Pavers or travertine
Both go on the same base and carry the same rate, so the choice comes down to look and upkeep.
| Concrete pavers | Travertine | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Factory-made concrete units | Natural stone, porous |
| Sealing in Florida | Every 2 to 3 years | Needs a penetrating sealer |
| Next to salt water | Rinse splashes now and then | Salt can pit soft stone; dense, sealed pieces hold up better |
| Feel | Many colors and textures | Softer, quarried look |
Paver sealer locks the joint sand, so fewer weeds come up. On a saltwater pool we steer owners toward dense travertine and seal it, because salt that dries inside the pores of a soft stone can flake the surface over time. Pick a light tone and stand on a sample barefoot at 2 p.m. in July before you order 600 sq ft of it.
Base and compaction
A paver deck stays flat only as long as the ground under it does. Around a new pool that ground was dug out and backfilled weeks earlier, so we compact the subgrade in lifts with a plate compactor. Then the base goes down and gets compacted too, the bedding sand is screeded flat, the stone is laid and an edge restraint closes the outside line. Joint sand is swept in last. Long deck runs on the acre lots of Southwest Ranches get the same layered compaction end to end.
The joint at the coping
The pool shell and the deck expand and move differently, and the line where they meet needs room for that. We close it with an elastic sealant over a backer rod, never with sand or rigid grout. Without that soft joint, a deck that swells in the sun can push against the coping, crack the bond beam, and let rainwater wash out the base under the stone.
How much deck to plan
Measure the paved area, not the water, because the deck is priced per sq ft of stone. Start with what has to happen on it: loungers on one side, a clear walk to the back door, a path to the equipment pad and room for an enclosure footing if you want one. We draw the deck together with the pool shape while we lay out the pool shape, so the walkways are settled before the dig.
Screen enclosure
We coordinate the screen enclosure with an aluminum contractor, and it is priced after a visit. In Miami-Dade the enclosure system needs a Notice of Acceptance from county product control, backed by calculations for the frame, the anchors and the footing, and it is built by a licensed structural aluminum or screen enclosure contractor. Its footings are laid out with the deck so the stone and the frame line up.
Deck and enclosure prices
| Job | What it includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paver or travertine pool deck | Base, compaction, pavers or travertine around the new pool, joint sand and edge restraint. | $18 per sq ft |
| Screen enclosure | Aluminum screen enclosure with a Miami-Dade product approval, coordinated with the pool schedule. | After a visit |
Labor and materials included, in US dollars, October 2026. Pool decks are priced per square foot of deck.
The deck rate covers base, compaction, the pavers or travertine, joint sand and the edge restraint. The pool itself is priced by water surface on what a new pool costs, and what goes into the shell is explained under the gunite or shotcrete shell.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use travertine around a saltwater pool?
Yes, with the right stone and a sealer. Dense travertine sealed with a penetrating product resists salt much better than a soft, open stone, and rinsing splashes off the deck helps too.
How often do paver pool decks need sealing?
In South Florida most paver decks get resealed every 2 to 3 years because of sun, heavy rain and salty air. A water-based sealer tends to suit the humid climate, while solvent-based products leave more of a wet look.
Is the screen enclosure part of the deck price?
No. The deck is priced per sq ft of stone, while the enclosure is quoted separately after a visit, since the aluminum contractor sizes the frame and footings to your yard and the county product approval.
Keep reading
Reviewed
