Why Paver Material Selection Is One of the Most Important Decisions You'll Make
In Los Angeles, outdoor living isn't a seasonal luxury — it's a year-round lifestyle. Your patio and pool deck endure constant sun exposure, bare feet, outdoor furniture, barbecue grease, and the occasional winter downpour. Choosing the wrong paver material means faded color, slippery surfaces, or premature deterioration. Choosing the right one means a backyard space you'll enjoy for decades.
At Superior Los Angeles Paving and Driveways, we've installed hundreds of patios and pool decks across Los Angeles, and we've seen firsthand which materials perform best in Southern California's unique climate. Here's our complete breakdown.
Travertine Pavers: The Gold Standard for LA Pool Decks
Travertine is one of the most popular paver materials in Los Angeles for a very good reason: it naturally stays cooler underfoot than concrete or dark porcelain, even on 95-degree summer afternoons. Its subtle cream, beige, and walnut tones complement California-modern and Mediterranean architecture beautifully, and its natural porous surface provides excellent traction when wet — a critical safety factor around pools.
- Best for: Pool decks, patios, spa surrounds
- Pros: Cool surface temperature, slip resistance, timeless aesthetic, natural variation in pattern
- Cons: Requires sealing to prevent oil and organic staining; higher material cost than concrete pavers
- Popular in: Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, West Hollywood
Large-Format Concrete Pavers: Versatile and Affordable
Concrete pavers have come a long way from the small cobblestone-style units of decades past. Today's large-format concrete pavers — available in 16x16, 18x18, and even 24x24-inch formats — deliver a clean, contemporary look that suits modern and transitional homes equally well. They're more affordable than natural stone and come in dozens of colors and surface textures.
- Best for: Patios, driveways, walkways, and pool decks with a modern aesthetic
- Pros: Wide color and size selection, cost-effective, consistent dimensions for easier installation
- Cons: Can absorb more heat in dark colors; surface may fade slightly over time without sealing
- Popular in: Culver City, Glendale, Alhambra
Porcelain Pavers: Ultra-Low Maintenance for the Modern Backyard
Porcelain pavers are the newest category to gain traction in Los Angeles outdoor design, and for good reason. They're virtually non-porous, stain-resistant, frost-resistant, and available in stunning wood-grain and stone-look finishes. They don't require sealing and clean up with a simple hose-down.
- Best for: Contemporary patios, pool decks with a seamless indoor-outdoor flow
- Pros: No sealing required, stain-resistant, hygienic surface, premium aesthetics
- Cons: Higher material and installation cost; requires precision cutting equipment; some finishes can be slippery when wet without the right texture selection
Clay Brick Pavers: Classic Charm for Traditional Homes
Clay brick pavers are fired at high temperatures, giving them exceptional color permanence — they genuinely will not fade in Los Angeles's intense UV environment. If you own a Craftsman bungalow in Pasadena or a traditional Spanish-style home, clay brick adds an authenticity that no concrete paver can replicate.
- Best for: Front entry walkways, courtyards, patios on traditional or historic homes
- Pros: Permanent color, classic aesthetic, excellent durability
- Cons: Limited color range; slightly higher material cost than standard concrete pavers
Key Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Paver Material
- Will people be walking barefoot on this surface in summer? (Choose lighter colors and natural stone for heat comfort.)
- Is this a wet area like a pool deck or spa surround? (Prioritize tumbled or brushed finishes for slip resistance.)
- How much maintenance are you willing to perform? (Porcelain requires the least; travertine benefits most from sealing.)
- What is your home's architectural style? (Match traditional homes with brick or travertine; pair modern homes with large-format concrete or porcelain.)
Pool Deck and Patio Installation by the Experts
No matter which material you choose, proper installation is what separates a paver surface that lasts decades from one that starts shifting and settling within a few years. Our pool deck paver installation and patio paver installation services both include full site grading, compacted aggregate base preparation, precision layout, and professional polymeric sand jointing — the complete process that ensures your investment holds up beautifully under Los Angeles conditions.
You can also complement your new patio or pool deck with a matching outdoor walkway or garden pathway to create a unified hardscape design throughout your entire yard.
Schedule Your Free Material Consultation
Still unsure which paver is right for your project? We'll bring samples directly to your home so you can see colors and textures in your actual outdoor lighting before committing. Call +1 (424) 351-1130 or email [email protected] to schedule your free consultation anywhere in the Los Angeles area.