Pool Deck Pavers: Travertine or Marble?

A pool deck is the one floor you walk on barefoot and wet, so the stone's surface matters more than anywhere else in the house. This guide compares the two natural stones we supply for pool decks, tumbled travertine and textured marble, and covers sizes, thickness and how to get a quote.

We only sell natural stone pavers, so that is what this guide covers. If you are also pricing concrete or porcelain, the same questions apply: what the surface is like underfoot, how the colour sits next to the water, and what base it goes on.

Pool deck pavers: the short answer

	Tumbled travertine	Sandblasted or leathered marble
Surface	Tumbled: softened edges and a smooth, non-slip face	Textured, never polished: sandblasted is smooth to the eye, leathered has a soft sheen
Look	Warm and rustic	Cleaner and more refined
Colours we stock	Creams, silver-taupe, gold-rust, walnut	White, cream, grey
Listed for	Pool decks, patios, driveways, walkways and backyards
Sizes	18x36, 24x24, 16x24, 12x24, 6x12, or the French Pattern Set (shipped by default)
Thickness	1 1/4 inch or 2 inch
Coverage	About 175 sq ft per crate; minimum order one crate

Pick travertine for a warm, Mediterranean deck. Pick marble for a brighter, more contemporary one. Both are chosen for pool decks because the finish has grip, not shine.

Travertine pool deck pavers

Every travertine paver we stock is tumbled. Tumbling softens the edges and the face, which gives the stone a smooth, non-slip surface with a rustic look. All six are listed for pool decks.

• Light creams: Capri Beige and Siena Beige.
• Cool silver-taupe: Arctic Silver and Titan Grey.
• Warm and varied: Toscana Amber mixes gold, rust, beige and cream.
• Darkest: Cappadocia Walnut, walnut and cream.

See all six with live availability on the travertine pavers for pool decks page.

Marble pool deck pavers

None of our marble pavers is polished. Every one is textured, in one of two finishes:

• Sandblasted: a refined, textured surface for slip resistance that still looks smooth. Amalfi Cream is warm cream and beige; Santorini White reads grey with soft veining.
• Leathered: a soft sheen over a naturally textured surface. Aegean White is soft white with cool grey undertones; Athena Grey is deep grey and silver.

Both finishes are there for grip, so the choice is mostly about the look. Lay a sample of each where the deck will go, wet and dry, before you choose. Compare all four on the sandblasted and leathered marble pavers page.

Prefer a warm, fossil-flecked stone? Alicante Shell limestone has a brushed surface and beveled edges and is also listed for pool decks.

Choosing a colour against the water

• Match the house, not the pool. The deck usually runs from the back door, so pick a stone that works with the exterior walls and the interior floor it meets.
• Look at it in sun. Natural stone shifts with light. Put samples outside at midday and in the evening.
• Expect variation. Travertine and marble vary in shade and veining from piece to piece. That is normal; the fix is to blend pieces from several crates as you lay them, rather than finishing one crate at a time.

French pattern, sizes and thickness

A French pattern lays several rectangle and square sizes together in one repeating layout. We ship the French Pattern Set unless you ask for a single size: 18x36, 24x24, 16x24, 12x24 or 6x12 inches.

Every size comes 1 1/4 inch or 2 inch thick. Tell us where the pavers are going when you request a quote, and confirm the thickness with your installer for the base you are laying on.

How many crates do you need?

One crate covers about 175 square feet, and the minimum order is one crate. Measure the deck, including any walkway or patio that will use the same stone, and send us the square footage. We will quote the crates.

How to get a price and a sample

Pavers are quoted rather than sold online. Use the quote button on any paver page, or email info@zellarotile.com with:

• the stone and finish you are considering,
• your square footage and thickness,
• where the pavers are going and your timeline,
• your delivery ZIP code.

Ask for a sample with your quote. You receive a colour sample, and a full-size piece on request by email. Designers and contractors can open a trade account before quoting a project.

Pool deck paver questions

Is travertine good for a pool deck?

Yes. Every travertine paver we stock is tumbled, which gives it a smooth, non-slip face, and each is listed for pool decks.

Is marble slippery around a pool?

Ours are not polished. They are sandblasted or leathered, both textured finishes for slip resistance, and each is listed for pool decks.

What thickness do pool deck pavers need?

We offer 1 1/4 inch and 2 inch. Which one is right depends on the base, so confirm it with your installer and tell us when you request a quote.

Can I use the same pavers for the patio and walkway?

Yes. Each paver is listed for patios, walkways, driveways and backyards as well as pool decks, so one stone can run from the back door to the water. For patio planning, see our outdoor stone buying guide.