Do Belgard Pavers Get Hot In The Sun? [With Tips To Keep Your Feet Cool Around The Pool]

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Choosing the right type of pool deck gets complicated because of a lot of choices available on the market. An essential trait of a good pool deck however is how it reacts with heat because burning your feet upon getting out of your pool is not ideal at all. A popular option is Belgard pavers, do they not get hot in the sun? Read on to find out what we learned about this popular paver.

Belgard pavers do get hot in the sun, but not enough for it to be uncomfortable to walk on. These durable pavers can withstand hot and cold temperatures and come with a lifetime structural warranty.

Keep on reading to know more about picking pavers for your pool deck and we've added some quick tips on how to keep it cool.

Why Belgard Pavers

Belgard pavers are interlocking pavers made out of a mix of concrete, natural stone, minerals, and porcelain. They can withstand extreme temperature changes of heat and cold, that's why you can use them for a variety of purposes like patios, fireplaces, fire pits, and pool decks. It also comes in a variety of colors, cut, and sizes that can fit any paving requirement.

Do Belgard Pavers Fade?

Belgard pavers come with a lifetime structural warranty, and due to the oxidation process of the pavers, the color is even and consistent throughout the whole stone. The process also assures that the colors will stay in the same state day after day, year after year.

Pool Paver Choices

Belgard pavers are a top-notch choice in the world of hardscaping, however, they can be a bit expensive. Here are other options that you can use for your pool deck.

1. Shell Stone

Shell stone pavers are made from natural stone embedded with corals and fossilized shells. This type of paver will make your pool deck look classy and has the advantage of being slip-resistant because of its porous nature. Shell stones are also known for excellent shedding of excess heat so you don't have to worry about it being too hot to walk across during the summers.

2. Travertine

Travertine is a particular type of natural stone that is ideal for pool decks because it has a rough and porous surface. It comes in attractive light shades that will complement any pool deck design you might have in mind. The light colors also refract sunlight, which is ideal in keeping your deck from getting too hot.

3. Flagstone

If you are aiming for a "closer to nature" look for your pool area you can opt to use flagstones. They are natural stones that come in earthy brown colors, their sizes are usually in large, flat slabs that are waterproof, and have a non-slip surface.

4. Concrete

If you are leaning towards using concrete for your pool deck, it will be advisable to use concrete pavers than solid poured concrete, the gaps between will help in releasing some of the heat. On a 90-degree air temperature, concrete will be at around 119 degrees.

The appeal of concrete lies in its affordability and low maintenance. You can also opt to have stamped concrete so that it can add more dimension to your pool area.

5. Brick and Clay

Brick pavers would also give a certain theme to your pool area. It gets bonus points for being easy to install, waterproof, durable, and will maintain its original color. The only downside is most clay or brick pavers absorb the sunlight instead of reflecting it making it uncomfortably hot.

6. Granite

Granite is known as a tough and durable stone making it ideal for pool decks. It also comes in cut stone options making it usable not only for pool decks but your patio as well. You also have the option to be creative and create a unique pattern as a design for your deck.

7. Limestone

Another popular deck option is limestone. Limestone has a grainy look and patterns that will add visual appeal to your pavers. This rock is also highly porous and slip-resistant which are always ideal qualities for pool decks. Limestone is also very adaptable in both hot and cold temperatures so it's a practical, low maintenance choice.

How To Pick Your Paver for Pool Decks

We all know about how dark colors will absorb heat more compared to white or light-colored objects, which would apply as well in hardscaping. Dark absorbs light and heat and white on the other hand reflects it.

The technical term for this is albedo which measures the surface's reflectivity. Surfaces with low albedo mean the surface absorbs more heat than surfaces with high albedo. Here's a measurement guide from ResearchGate on the albedo score of known hardscaping materials:

• New black asphalt: 0.04-0.06
• New grey concrete pavement: 0.25-0.50
• White topping on asphalt: 0.30-0.45
• Yellow topping asphalt: 0.35-0.44
• Cool toned concrete: 0.45-0.75

Using this list as a reference, you'll be able to decide on not only the material for the pool deck but on the correct shade as well. If you live in the part of the country that gets cold winters dark grey-hued stones will be an advantage since they will retain some of the heat, and light-colored pavers will be more apt in warm, sunny states because they will help to cool down the surface.

Keeping Your Pool Deck Cool

The next step is how to maintain your pool deck cool enough when during the intense summer months. Try spraying your pavers with a garden hose. This is a no-nonsense approach in ridding the surface of heat.

Install a patio misting system. If you don't have the time or would rather stay out of the sun, you can install a patio misting system that will do the job for you.

Check out this cooling system on Amazon.

You can purchase outdoor fans to maximize the cooling ability to mist your pavers with water.

This durable outdoor fan also has a portable misting option. Take a look over at Amazon.

You can also opt to plant trees to create a shaded area on your pool and not have it exposed to direct sunlight. If planting trees is not an option, you can try and build a pergola to have an escape from the heat. It may not be feasible to have the whole area covered but at least it will give you a spot where the deck was not directly subjected to the heat of the sun.

Conclusion

To fully enjoy your pool at home, a reliable pool deck is a must. A proper deck will not only keep you comfortable in using your pool during the summer but should also withstand the environment with the addition of being exposed to the pool's chemicals.

Belgard pavers seem like an optimal choice but if for some reason you want to change it up, rest assured there are a lot of options on the market. If you've enjoyed reading this post and looking for more interesting reads on hardscaping you can check out these posts on our blog:

Can You Put An Above Ground Pool On Pavers?

Choosing Natural Stone Pavers: Bluestone Vs. Flagstone Vs. Slate