Travertine Pool Decks, Patios and Flagstone in Gilbert and the East Valley
Cooler underfoot, and built to last for decades.
It's 4 o'clock in July. The kids have been in the pool all afternoon, and they're running back and forth across the deck without hopping from foot to foot. You're out there barefoot too. That's what natural stone does in the desert, and it's why so many East Valley homeowners choose travertine around their pools and patios.
Fernweh Outdoor installs travertine patios, walkways and pool decks, bullnose pool coping, and flagstone patios and steppers across Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek and the rest of the East Valley. Natural stone is a bigger investment than concrete pavers, so we'll help you understand your options before you choose, and we build it on a base that protects that investment.
Why natural stone works in Arizona
- Cooler underfoot. Light-colored travertine reflects sun and stays noticeably cooler than concrete, which matters most around a pool.
- Better grip when wet. Tumbled and brushed finishes have a natural texture that holds up better under wet feet than smooth surfaces.
- One of a kind. Every piece has its own color, veining and character. No two patios look the same.
- Built to last. Travertine has been used for thousands of years for a reason. Installed correctly, it lasts for decades.
A quick guide to travertine
Travertine comes in more variations than most people realize. Here's what to know before you pick:
- Finish. Tumbled has soft, worn edges and an old-world look. Brushed is textured and slightly smoother. Honed is flat and smooth with a more modern feel. Chiseled edge gives a rustic, hand-cut border. Around pools, tumbled and brushed are the most common for their texture.
- Filled or unfilled. Travertine naturally has small holes. Filled stone has them filled at the factory for a smoother, more uniform surface. Unfilled keeps the natural pitted texture.
- Thickness. Thicker pavers (about 1 1/4 inch, or 3cm) are used for sand-set installs over a compacted base. Thinner tile (about 2cm) is designed to be mortar-set over a concrete slab.
- Pattern. French pattern mixes four sizes for a classic, random look. Uniform sizes like 16x24 give a cleaner, more modern layout.
- Color. Ivory, cream, walnut, silver and gold tones are the most popular. Lighter colors stay cooler in the sun.
We'll bring samples to your consultation and show you how each option looks in your design.
Flagstone patios and steppers
Flagstone brings a natural desert look that fits Arizona landscapes. We install flagstone patios and stepping-stone paths on the same compacted base system as our pavers, so they stay flat and stable instead of rocking and sinking over time.
Two ways we install
- Sand-set over a compacted base. The same system we use for pavers: excavation, compacted ABC base, a leveled bedding layer, and a secure edge. It's our standard for new patios, walkways and flagstone.
- Mortar-set over concrete. When there's a sound concrete slab to build on, like an existing pool deck, we can mortar-set travertine directly over it.
We'll recommend the right method after looking at your site.
We install full travertine pool decks and replace pool coping with bullnose travertine, a rounded edge that looks finished and is comfortable to sit on with your feet in the water.
Built by our own crews
Flagstone patio — built by our own crews, right here in the East Valley.
The shortcuts we don't take
- Thin stone in the wrong application. 2cm tile sand-set over gravel can flex and crack. We match the stone thickness to the install method.
- Ignoring the concrete underneath. Mortar-setting over a cracked or poorly prepared slab carries those cracks right up into your new stone. We check the slab first.
- Skipping base prep. Natural stone on a weak base settles and shifts, just like pavers. Ours goes on the same base system as our paver installs.
- The wrong sealer. A glossy, film-forming sealer can make a pool deck slick. When sealing is part of the project, we use sealers suited to wet, barefoot areas.
- No room for movement. Stone and concrete expand and contract with Arizona's temperature swings. A mortar-set deck without movement joints eventually cracks or pops loose. We build movement joints in where the slab needs them.
- Laying stone straight from one crate. Natural stone varies from crate to crate. Installing it one box at a time leaves blotchy patches of color. We blend stone from multiple crates as we lay it, so the color reads evenly across the whole patio.
Our warranty
Every travertine and natural stone installation carries a 3-year workmanship warranty. On mortar-set projects over an existing slab, it doesn't cover cracks that come up from the concrete underneath.
What affects the cost
Natural stone is quoted after a site visit. The main factors are the stone you choose (finish, thickness, pattern and color), the install method, how much existing concrete or material has to come out, pool coping length, and access to the yard.
Start with a free consultation
A pool deck is where summer happens: birthday parties, long afternoons, and evenings with your feet in the water. It should feel as good as it looks.
We'll bring stone samples, walk your site, and show you your patio or pool deck in 3D before we start.
Recently built by our crews
Start with a free consultation
Free on-site consultation. Your 3D design ($279) comes after, credited toward your project.
Schedule a Consultation