How to Create the Ultimate Pool Patio for Summer Entertaining in New Jersey
You have the pool. But does the space around it live up to the water? If your pool deck is cracked concrete, plain slabs, or just a narrow strip of pavers, this summer is the perfect time to transform it into something you'll actually want to spend time on.
A well-designed pool patio doesn't just look good in photos—it changes how your family uses your outdoor space every single day of the swimming season. And with the right materials and contractor, a New Jersey pool patio can handle everything from summer heat to winter frost without cracking, heaving, or fading.
The Right Patio Makes the Whole Pool
Many homeowners invest heavily in their pool itself—the equipment, the liner, the features—and then settle for a plain concrete deck or minimal paver surround. The patio is where you actually live around the pool. It's where your kids come running from, where you set up the umbrella and the chairs, where guests gather.
A custom pool patio installation from Tomasso Contracting is designed to be an extension of your home—as thoughtful and well-crafted as the indoor rooms where you entertain.
Choosing the Right Materials for Your NJ Pool Patio
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are the most popular choice for NJ pool patios, and for good reason. They're durable, slip-resistant (when finished with the right texture), and highly customizable. Individual pavers can be replaced if one is damaged, which is a significant advantage over poured concrete.
Pavers come in hundreds of shapes, colors, and sizes. A professional installer can create patterns, borders, and inlays that give your pool area a custom, polished look.
We work with premium paver manufacturers including Cambridge Pavers, Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Nicolock, and Unilock—brands that offer warranties and consistent quality for New Jersey's demanding climate.
Natural Stone
Bluestone, travertine, and flagstone create a natural, upscale look that's hard to match with manufactured materials. Natural stone patios are particularly popular for higher-end installations. Travertine is a favorite for pool areas specifically because it stays cooler to the touch in direct sun—a meaningful comfort factor on a hot July afternoon.
Concrete Slabs
Poured concrete is a reliable option for pool decks. When properly installed with a broom finish or exposed aggregate for traction, concrete performs well in pool environments. Stamped concrete can mimic the look of stone or pavers at a lower material cost.
Critical Design Considerations for Pool Patios
Drainage
Poor drainage is the number one enemy of pool patios. The area around a pool receives a constant source of water—from swimmers exiting the pool, splash, rain, and pool backwash. Without proper grading and drainage, water pools on the patio surface or underneath it, causing premature deterioration and potential structural issues.
Tomasso Contracting grades every pool patio to direct water away from the pool and from structures, ensuring proper runoff management. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection provides stormwater management guidelines that inform proper drainage design on residential projects. (https://www.nj.gov/dep/stormwater/)
Slip Resistance
Slip resistance isn't optional around pools—it's a safety requirement. The right surface texture and material selection matters enormously. Tumbled pavers, brushed concrete, and certain natural stone finishes provide appropriate traction for wet feet. Highly polished surfaces should be avoided in pool environments.
Size and Flow
Your pool patio should provide adequate space around all sides of the pool for comfortable movement, furniture placement, and safety. Building codes in most NJ municipalities require a minimum clearance around pools. Beyond code minimums, practical entertaining means enough space for loungers, an umbrella, and guests to move freely.
Integration with Other Features
A great pool patio doesn't end at the pool's edge. Tomasso Contracting integrates pool patios with hardscaping elements including retaining walls, walkways, steps, outdoor kitchens, and fire features. A cohesive design creates an outdoor living space that functions as a whole.
Summer Planning: Why You Should Act Now
Pool patio projects completed now can be enjoyed for the remainder of the summer season. Projects started later may not be complete until fall. And with New Jersey contractor schedules booking up through the summer months, getting your estimate and scope finalized soon is the best way to ensure your project happens on your timeline.
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), outdoor living additions—including pool patios and decks—consistently rank among the highest-impact home improvement investments for both enjoyment and resale value. (https://www.nahb.org/)
What to Expect Working with Tomasso Contracting
Our process is straightforward. We meet with you to understand your vision, assess the site, and provide a detailed free estimate. We walk you through material options, discuss drainage and grading requirements, and propose a design that meets your budget and goals.
Once work begins, we deliver clean, professional installation with attention to every detail—from the base preparation to the final paver pattern. We've been doing this for over 30 years throughout Union, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, Morris, and Essex counties.
NJ Contractor License #13VH03037000.
Transform Your Pool Patio This Summer
Don't spend another summer standing on a cracked concrete deck. Contact Tomasso Contracting today for a free pool patio design consultation and estimate.
Call our Clark, NJ office at 732-381-2002, reach our Morganville material yard at 732-536-1500, or visit tomassocontracting.com/pool-patio-contractor to get started. Your backyard oasis is waiting.