Summertime has finally arrived! After a long winter, you can’t wait to kick your shoes off, walk along your deck bare feet, and bask in the warm sunlight. But how can you enjoy your pool deck and the midday sun if it’s too hot and burning your feet?

One of the first things you need to do is to identify the problematic areas of your pool deck. Determine the specific areas that often get hot, those that need your attention the most, and those that receive the highest foot traffic. Once you have identified these, cover those spaces to ensure they’re comfortable and safer.

We’ve listed down 6 ways to cool down your pool deck in summer heat. With these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor space even when the country is in its hottest heatwave!

1. Switch to Travertine

Make sure to invest in high-quality flooring that absorbs the coolness of the ground, such as STONEarch travertine. Moreover, it comes in a tumbled finish, making it skid-resistant and long-lasting.

Travertine is a kind of limestone and it has been used for decades in hot places such as the Middle East and the Caribbean. The unique part of the STONEarch Travertine Collection is that it has the same technical qualities to be gentle on bare feet with little holes on the surface to allow for the stone to breathe, but our products are time & weather tested to be suitable for landscape application here in Canada and the United States. STONEarch Travertine will remain cooler by as much as 20% in comparison to other products in natural stone or concrete.

2. Use Light-Coloured Materials

Our range of outdoor porcelain is another good option for outdoor flooring tiles as it has low water absorption and a high traction rating. Opt for lighter colours like Porcea Aura White and Porcea Coast when purchasing porcelain tiles. In comparison to darker shades, lighter-coloured outdoor pavers will not absorb as much heat from the sun. Hence, they tend to stay cooler.

2. Add Some Shade

Adding a shade is one of the easiest remedy to keep your pool deck cool and from absorbing the sun’s heat. Depending on the time of the day, the shaded spaces will stay cool to your bare feet.

You have several options:

• Patio umbrellas are a good feature to add. will not only provide shade, but it will also provide you and your guests a place to drink and eat.

• If you want a larger umbrella, go for cantilever. This works particularly well if you have a large area that you want to shade. Most cantilever umbrellas came with a hand crank adjustment and a foot pedal.

• Shade sails are becoming popular these days. They come in different shapes and shades that can give your pool deck a modern touch.

• Building a pergola is a permanent solution. It can give you shade and still allow light through.

• Retractable canopies are extremely effective. However, they are on the expensive side.

3. Install Artificial Turf

Installing artificial turf is also an alternative you can consider. STONEarch Turf can help make the surface of your pool deck comfortable for your feet to walk on. Also, it can give your outdoor area a natural look. Throw in some plants and stonework in the mix, and your poolside will look amazing.

4. Hose Down your Pool Deck

This is probably the easiest, quickest, and most budget-friendly way to cool down your pool deck. Spraying it with cold water can help absorb the heat. As the remaining water on the surface evaporates, it will further cool it down.

When hosing down your poolside area, ensure to run your hose first until cold ground water is running from it. Then, start spraying your pool deck for several minutes. Spray down the surface again when all the water has evaporated.

5. Use Outdoor Rugs on your Lounge Area

Waterproof rugs are available on the market today that you can use on your pool deck. Aside from protecting your bare feet, it doubles as a means of extending your living area outdoors and providing it with a splash of color.

When shopping for outdoor rugs, keep the following things in mind:

• Avoid those with backs made of latex, rubber, or vinyl. The last thing you want is for your pool deck to have ugly marks. Moreover, they hold moisture, resulting mildew and mold growth.

• Polypropylene rugs do not absorb water and can help protect your poolside area from UV rays. On top of that, they are not only reversible and enduring but are also cheaper. Although it does not hold moisture and promotes mildew and mold growth, it is still best to get rid of trapped dirt frequently.

Make Your Summer Comfortable

There are plenty of ways to make your pool deck comfortable for everyone. From simple, budget-friendly alternatives to elaborate options. But if you want a permanent solution, the best way is to switch your flooring to STONEarch Travertine or to use light-coloured outdoor porcelain tiles.

If you want to learn more about these options to help cool down your pool deck in summer heat, please contact our team of experts. We are more than happy to answer any of your questions regarding our products to help you decide which one is suitable for your needs.