The Best Types Of Gravel For Pool Areas

Thinking about decorating the landscape around your pool area? There is a plethora of materials to choose between, from concrete pavers and tile to natural stone slabs or loose pieces. Surrounding your pool area with landscaping rock or gravel, whether that's using it in pool-side pathways or to create a border around your swimming pool, gives a natural look that blends into the existing landscape of almost any backyard.

River rock, pebbles, crushed rock, and decorative gravel are some of the top gravel types to consider before landscaping your yard or garden, including around water features and swimming pools. To select the best type of stone for your pool area, you'll first need to consider a few crucial factors. Choosing a style of loose rock that matches the aesthetic of your property is undeniably important, but it is also vital to think about purchase and installation costs, ease of maintenance, and comfort. After all, you and your family will be walking on whatever surface you eventually settle on.

River rock and river pebble (also sometimes called beach pebble) is popularly used around backyard swimming pools. The stones are small, smooth, and naturally rounded by water, so there are no pointy bits. This is particularly helpful around pools where people are often barefoot. Your family won't have to worry about stepping on sharp rocks when getting into or out of the water!

River rock is available in a variety of colors and sizes, the most common shades being tan, white, and gray. The stone comes in sizes ranging from 1/2 inch to 7 inches with 2 inches being a popular size. River jack stone is a lesser-known gravel type that looks beautiful around backyard water features. A single batch mixes smooth stones with shades of white, tan, gray, and hints of blue or pink. Expect to pay somewhere between $45 to $140 per cubic yard for river rock, depending on type, and up to $90 an hour for professional installation.

River rocks and pebbles work well as fillers in your yard and pool area landscaping. Place them between large rocks and decorative boulders to suffuse empty space. They look great as a ribbon border around the pool or along pool-side pathways, or use them in narrow spaces between the swimming pool and nearby landscape beds. Maintenance is vital for safety. Use a leaf blower to remove debris and pressure wash the stones annually to get rid of algae and other organic material that can make the rock slippery.

Decorative gravel and crushed rock offer lots of benefits for improving the landscape around your pool. For one, they are budget-friendly options, especially when compared to most pavers or tiles. Crushed rock is highly versatile; using it around the pool area is one of the best ways you can use gravel in your yard. The porosity of the gravel is beneficial for improving drainage, which helps you avoid pooled water after a rainstorm or when the kids are splashing water out of the pool.

Crushed rock and gravel can also be found in a range of colors, textures, and sizes — from small pebbles to large stones. This wide selection allows you to narrow down the material best suited to the aesthetic you are curating for your pool area. For example, diminutive pea gravel and crushed or decomposed granite both have their own distinctive look, though don't go too small with either or you will end up with gravel kicked into the pool by damp feet. If you buy gravel or crushed rock in bulk, expect to pay $15 to $75 per cubic yard, not including delivery or professional installation costs.

Carefully consider the features of each rock type to find the best fit. For example, limestone offers the best slip resistance, while granite and travertine offer excellent heat resistance. Select smooth decorative gravel or crushed rock over sharp stones since it is more comfortable underfoot. Like river rock, regularly cleaning your gravel is important since organic growth makes the surface slippery.