THE BONITA STONE BLOG:
Limestone vs Exposed Aggregate Pavers: Which Is Right For Your Perth Pool?
Picking pavers for a pool surround usually comes down to two questions: what will feel good under bare feet, and what will still look great in ten summers' time? For many Perth homeowners, the shortlist ends up as limestone versus exposed aggregate. Both are made right here in WA by Bonita Stone, both are made for outdoor living, and both can look stunning around water. They just do the job in different ways. Here's how they compare where it counts, so you can choose with confidence.
Limestone and Exposed Aggregate Side by Side
Before getting into the detail, here's the quick version of how the two pavers stack up for a pool area.
Limestone Pavers
- Underfoot
- Our coolest paver. It reflects heat and feels soft and comfortable on bare feet.
- Surface
- Natural or smooth finish, with natural texture for traction around wet areas.
- Look
- Soft, natural stone with a relaxed, luxe feel.
- Colours
- Charcoal, Latte, Limestone, Mocha, Sandstone, Silver and Terracotta.
- Pool edges
- A full bullnose range, including corner pieces.
Exposed Aggregate Pavers
- Underfoot
- Lighter colours stay cooler than brick or dark pavers, though they reflect less heat than limestone.
- Surface
- Textured, with the natural stones in the concrete revealed for grip. Also available honed for a smooth finish.
- Look
- Modern and hardwearing, with a speckled stone finish.
- Colours
- Including Sandstone, Natural, Mocha, Charcoal, Latte and Silver.
- Pool edges
- Talk to our team about edge options for your pool shape.
Four Things That Should Decide Your Pool Pavers
Heat Underfoot
In a Perth summer, this is usually the deciding factor. Limestone is the coolest option in our range. It reflects heat, so it stays comfortable on bare feet in full sun, which is why it's such a popular choice for pool surrounds and patios.
Exposed aggregate is a solid performer too, especially in lighter colours, which stay cooler than brick or dark pavers. It doesn't reflect quite as much heat as limestone, though. If you love a darker colour, keep it for a shaded pool, as dark pavers can get very hot in direct Perth sun.
Grip When Wet
Around a pool, wet feet are a given. Limestone's natural texture gives good traction around wet areas. Exposed aggregate takes a different approach: the surface reveals the natural stones in the concrete, creating a textured finish with plenty of grip.
One thing to note: aggregate also comes in a honed finish, which is smooth to the touch with a polished look. It's beautiful, but for the wettest zones right around the water, the textured exposed finish is the one to choose. Our guide to choosing slip-resistant pavers goes deeper on this.
Look and Colour
Limestone has a soft, natural character that suits resort-style and coastal homes, and pairs beautifully with timber, render and greenery. It comes in seven colours, from pale Limestone and Latte through to Mocha, Terracotta and Charcoal.
Exposed aggregate has a more contemporary feel. The stones in the surface catch the light and give the paving a speckled texture that suits modern homes and clean lines. If you're torn between the two finishes within the aggregate range, our guide on exposed vs honed aggregate pavers walks through the differences.
Care Over Time
Good news here: both are low maintenance and resistant to pool chemicals. Regular sweeping or a hose down keeps them looking their best, with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner for deeper cleans. A quality sealer helps protect against stains and brings out the colour, and it's worth cleaning up spills promptly so they don't leave marks.
Getting the Pool Edge Right
The edge of your pool is the part you touch most, sit on most and see first, so it deserves some thought. Limestone has a big advantage here: a full bullnose range designed for pool edges, including pieces for straight runs and both inside and outside corners.
That means a limestone surround can flow from the paving right over the pool edge in the same colour and finish, with a soft rounded edge that's comfortable to sit on.
If your heart is set on exposed aggregate, talk to our team early about the edge detail for your pool shape. You can also mix the two, for example limestone bullnose on the edge for comfort, with aggregate in the surrounding areas. However you do it, it pays to plan the edge and the paving together.
Limestone Bullnose Range
- Standard bullnose, 400 × 400 mm
- Bullnose paver, 270 × 400 mm
- Double-sided bullnose, 400 × 400 or 300 × 400 mm
- Three-sided bullnose or squarenose
- Square bullnose, three sizes
- Internal and external corner bullnose
So, Which One Is Right for You?
There's no wrong answer between these two. It's about matching the paver to your pool, your home and how you use the space.
Choose Limestone If
- Your pool sits in full sun and cool feet are a priority
- You want a soft, natural stone look
- You'd like matching bullnose right around the pool edge
- Kids and guests spend all day barefoot by the water
Choose Exposed Aggregate If
- You want a modern, hardwearing finish with a speckled texture
- Grip is your top priority on the wettest areas
- Your home has clean, contemporary lines
- You plan to use the same paver along paths and courtyards
Still weighing it up? Our light vs dark pavers guide helps with colour, and you can browse both ranges on our limestone pavers and exposed and honed aggregate pavers pages, or see every option on our pool pavers page.
Pavers Made for Perth Pools
Bonita Stone is a family-run business that has been making pavers in WA since 1994. Our limestone and exposed aggregate pavers are made locally for Perth conditions, and we stand by every paver we make. When you talk to us, you're talking to the people who make your pavers, so you'll get straight answers about colours, finishes and what will suit your pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cooler underfoot, limestone or exposed aggregate?
Limestone is the coolest paver in our range. It reflects heat and stays comfortable on bare feet, which makes it a favourite for sunny pool surrounds. Light-coloured exposed aggregate also stays cooler than brick or dark pavers, but it reflects less heat than limestone.
Are exposed aggregate pavers slippery around a pool?
The exposed finish is textured, with the natural stones in the concrete revealed, which gives good grip around wet areas. Aggregate also comes in a smooth honed finish, so choose the exposed finish for the wettest zones near the water.
Can I use bullnose pavers with exposed aggregate?
Limestone has a full bullnose range for pool edges, including corners. For exposed aggregate, talk to our team about the edge options for your pool shape. You can also mix the two, with limestone bullnose on the edge and aggregate in the surrounding paving.
Do limestone and exposed aggregate pavers need sealing?
Sealing with a quality sealer is recommended for both. It helps protect against stains and brings out the colour. Day to day, a sweep or hose down is usually all they need, with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner for deeper cleans.
Will pool chemicals damage my pavers?
Quality pavers are highly resistant to pool chemicals, and chlorine and salt don't harm their integrity. Rinsing the area regularly and cleaning up spills promptly keeps them looking their best.
Ready to Pave Around Your Pool?
Talk to the Bonita Stone team about limestone and exposed aggregate for your pool, or call us on 0434 086 084.
