Porcelain or natural stone for your pool surround?
Both make beautiful pool surrounds. The right choice comes down to the look you want, how much upkeep you are happy with, and how the area will be used.
Porcelain and natural stone are the two most popular finishes we supply for pool surrounds, and both will last for decades when they're laid well. They behave differently, though, so it's worth knowing the trade-offs before you choose.
At a glance
| 20mm outdoor porcelain | Natural stone | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Consistent colour and pattern from piece to piece. Stone, concrete and timber looks. | Unique. Every piece varies in colour, marbling and veining. |
| Sealing | Not needed. Very low water absorption. | Recommended for all natural stone, and maintained over time. |
| Stains | Highly stain resistant. | A good sealer helps resist stains. Wipe up spills promptly. |
| Slip | CMP porcelain is R11 minimum. | Depends on finish. Flamed and sandblasted granite are textured, honed finishes are smoother. |
| Heat underfoot | Lighter colours stay cooler. | Lighter stones such as sandstone and travertine stay cooler. |
| Tolerance | Precise, consistent sizes. | Allow ±2mm on sizes. |
| Matching coping | Rebated drop face coping in every colour. | Bullnose, square edge and drop face profiles. |
Choose porcelain if…
- You want a low-maintenance surround with no sealing.
- You like a consistent, contemporary look, or a stone look without the variation.
- You want the coping and pavers to match exactly, laid flush. See the CMP porcelain range.
Choose natural stone if…
- You love the character of real stone, and the fact that no two pieces are the same.
- You want a classic look: sandstone for warmth, travertine for a Mediterranean feel, granite for a hard-wearing modern edge.
- You're happy to seal the stone and maintain it. See our natural stone range.
Things to think about with either
Saltwater pools
Rinse salt splash off the surround regularly. With natural stone, a quality sealer is especially important around saltwater pools.
Laying method
20mm porcelain can be laid on a concrete slab, on sand and cement, or on adjustable pedestals over a deck or membrane. Natural stone is usually laid on a slab. Talk to your installer about what suits your site.
Ordering enough
Order everything for one area at the same time so it comes from the same batch, and add 10% for cuts on pavers and 5% on coping. The calculator on each product page does the maths.
The best way to decide is to see both outside, wet and dry. Order free samples, or visit our Wairau Valley showroom.