Beauty isn’t only in the eyes of the beholder, it’s in the feel of the feet. Patterned pavers, sustainable decking, and natural stone ground spaces, creating prime places for indoor-outdoor gatherings. “We’re seeing a move toward hypernatural finishes and textures in a range of colors and patterns in both pavers and decking,” says Jason Armour, a landscape architect at Design Ecology, an award-winning landscape architecture and luxury pool design/build firm based in Austin, Texas. “The porcelain paver options that mimic stone are becoming very realistic and lend themselves toward more modern projects in stacked running-bond patterns and large linear sizes.”
Design Ecology landscape architect Brittany Duncan adds that she’s seeing more “adventurous options” like cobblestones or broken-stone pavers in upscale settings, and thermally modified products such as Kebony, Accoya, and Thermory, which are rot-resistant, are the top choices for natural pool decking. But looks are only one part of the winning equation: The most popular materials are durable and, this is key, low-maintenance.
“Current paver trends emphasize large-format stone and porcelain materials and warm and natural color palettes,” says Vincent Biancamano, owner of Hotshot Hardscape and Pools, which is based in Peoria, Arizona. “This combination provides a sustainable decking solution that pairs beautifully with artificial turf.” Porcelain, he adds, is a popular choice indoors and outdoors, and it’s not only for the floor.
“Outdoor cabinets and entertainment areas continue to be one of the fastestgrowing trends in outdoor living,” he says. “We’re installing more outdoor kitchens than ever, and the shift from traditional stacked stone to porcelainwrapped finishes is redefining luxury in exterior design.” Porcelain is preferable, he says, because “it creates a clean, smooth aesthetic that mirrors the look and feel of an indoor kitchen while offering superior durability. Unlike stacked stone, which can chip or wear over time, porcelain maintains its sleek appearance and stands up beautifully to the elements.”
DECKING OUT THE YARD
The deck, the backyard pride of place, brings beauty that’s engineered to deliver premium performance. “When we talk about luxury underfoot, we’re really talking about the experience of outdoor living,” says Jodi Lee, the senior vice president of marketing for Trex Co., which specializes in decking. “A deck isn’t just a surface – it’s the foundation for how people gather, relax, and entertain.” She says that customers expect decking to be climate resilient, sustainable and easy to maintain while having the look and feel of natural wood. “Our products are built to handle everything from everyday wear and tear to extreme climates,” Lee says, adding that some are fire-resistant and even have heat-mitigation features.
“We’re also leading the industry in sustainability, using 95% recycled and reclaimed materials in our composite decking,” she says. Trex recently introduced an ignitionresistant PVC line engineered for homes in fire-prone regions and a collection of nature-inspired colors in lighter hues with refined graining. In addition, it has expanded its premium collection to include a 1X4 board profile that allows for the creation of multi-width deck patterns and custom inlays. To complement the decking, Trex offers railings, such as its award-winning Signature® X-Series™ Cable and Frameless Glass system that has a modern aesthetic and clean lines. Lee says that the “combination of beauty, durability and low maintenance – Trex decking is engineered to resist staining, scratching and mold without the sanding, staining or sealing that wood requires — allows homeowners to enjoy their outdoor spaces more fully, which is ultimately the greatest luxury of all.”
PAVERS PUT NATURE ON A PEDESTAL
Nature-centric pavers and textural decking are leading the way in establishing a solid, albeit seamless, connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Textured brown, taupe and gray pavers, such as Belgard’s unique Papyrus handtooled aesthetic, combined with matte low-gloss decking in a wood-grain finish such as MoistureShield’s composite boards, are among the top choices of designers and homeowners, says Joe Raboine, vice president of design for Oldcastle APG, whose brands include MoistureShield composite decking and Belgard hardscapes.
He notes that “incorporating patterns with geometric pavers pairs well with these shifting color and texture trends, offering additional depth and interest to smaller spaces.” Two new products are making it easier than ever to fine-tune designs. Belgard’s award-winning modular panelized construction system, Artforms, is now available in the organic Papyrus texture. Papyrus Artforms allows the creation of elevated seating walls, outdoor kitchens, fire features and planters that are efficient and visually striking. Belgard’s latest innovation, Delmaro Coping, brings a contemporary smallformat profile to poolside designs and pairs well with PebbleTec’s aggregate pool finishes.
belgard.com, designecologyaustin.com, hotshotpools.com, oldcastleapg.com, trex.com
