Fibreglass Pool Paving and Decking: Materials Guide

What goes around a fibreglass pool, and how much of it is in the pool price?

A fibreglass pool surround has four areas:

Coping: The first course of pavers, installed on the concrete beam at the top of the pool shell.
Wet-edge paving: The paved area directly outside the coping. People stand here when entering or leaving the pool.
Wider paving or a deck: The entertaining area beyond the wet-edge paving.
Garden and planting: The area where the pool surround meets the rest of the yard.

The installed pool price includes premium paved coping around the entire pool. It does not include wider paving, decking, landscaping, or pool fencing. The owner arranges these items. Our price list identifies what the installed pool price includes and excludes.

The rings around a fibreglass pool in plan view. The coping — the first paver course, bedded on the concrete bond beam — is part of the pool price. The wider paving or deck field beyond it, the garden and planting outside that, and the pool barrier between them are the owner's scope, arranged outside the pool contract. Layout drawn qualitatively — the barrier line's position depends on the yard.

Pool size	Length	Depth	Installed from
Round pools	3m to 4m	1.45m level	$47,233
Small pools	4m to 5.5m	1.0m to 1.78m	$46,053
Medium pools	6m to 7m	1.0m to 1.88m	$55,003
Large pools	7.2m to 8m	0.98m to 1.96m	$60,475
Family pools	8.25m to 11m	1.0m to 2.0m	$69,428

Live all-inclusive installed pricing for standard site conditions in South East Queensland — updated straight from our quoting system.

The installed price bands include the pool installation and paved coping. To calculate the cost of the finished backyard, add the cost of wider paving or decking, pool fencing, gardens, and landscaping.

Some work must be planned before selecting paving or decking materials. Concrete is poured around the perimeter of every fibreglass pool as a structural component. The finished surround must also allow for the installation of a compliant pool barrier before the pool can be certified.

Can you pour concrete around a fibreglass pool?

Yes. Concrete is poured around the perimeter of a fibreglass pool in two separate sections.

The first section is the structural bond beam and collar. This reinforced concrete is cast around the top of the shell. It stabilises the shell edge and provides a base for the coping course. The bond beam and backfill is engineered for direct contact with the shell.

The second section is the decorative slab beyond the bond beam. It provides a walking surface and can be finished for appearance and grip.

The rim of an in-ground fibreglass pool in cross-section. The shell wall sits on a level granular base bed at the bottom of the excavation, clean granular backfill fills the gap between the excavation face and the shell wall, and a reinforced concrete bond beam is poured around the rim, connecting under the shell's coping lip with the coping on top. Pool water braces the shell from inside while the backfill supports it from outside. Drawn qualitatively — the arrangement, not measured dimensions.

Concrete work is quoted as separate items. These can include:

Concreting beyond the included band
A concrete pump when the truck cannot reach the pour
Under-fence concrete strips
Concrete and paver cuts
Pavers, concrete mix and concrete labour

Access determines the equipment required and can affect the quote. A mini digger can use access that is 1.38 m wide or less. A mini excavator with a standard bobcat requires 1.38 to 1.57 m. Full-size equipment requires at least 1.57 m. Our default quote assumes 3 m of clear access from the kerb to the pool hole.

Poured concrete shrinks. Shrinkage occurs fastest during the first 48 hours, and shrinkage cracks usually appear within the first 28 days. Shrinkage cracks are not structural cracks. Structural cracks indicate ground movement. Saw-cut control joints are installed every 4 to 5 metres to control where cracking occurs.

Concrete pool surrounds are available in four finishes:

Broom
Textured
Stamped
Exposed aggregate

Stamped concrete uses an acrylic sealer and requires resealing every 2 to 3 years. Our 7-Year Workmanship Guarantee covers the installation of concrete surrounds.

Can pavers be glued to a fibreglass pool?

Field pavers are bedded rather than glued. They are cured before delivery, so they do not shrink or crack after installation. Installers lay them by hand over compacted gravel and a layer of levelling sand. The joints require re-sanding every few years. Unlike fresh concrete, pavers do not require joints to control shrinkage.

The first course uses fibreglass pool coping. It borders the water and uses a different fixing method from the field pavers.

A waterproof membrane is applied over the reinforced concrete before the coping and paving are installed. This membrane prevents moisture and efflorescence from passing through the finished units.

Coping is quoted in two categories. Category 1 is standard. Category 2 is an upgrade priced per pool rather than at a flat rate.

Poured concrete and pavers differ in five areas:

	Poured concrete	Pavers
How it goes down	poured wet, cures in place	cured before delivery, hand-laid on compacted gravel and levelling sand
Cracking	shrinks fastest in the first 48 hours; shrinkage cracks usually appear within the first 28 days	do not shrink or crack in place
Joints	saw-cut every 4–5 m to control where it cracks	re-sanded every few years
Repair	patched or cut out	individual units lifted and reset
Finish options	broom, textured, stamped, exposed aggregate	stone or concrete unit, colour and format chosen

What decking is best around a fibreglass pool, timber or composite?

Timber decking has lower purchase and installation costs. It requires oiling or staining every 6 to 12 months. Composite decking has higher purchase and installation costs but requires less maintenance.

	Timber decking	Composite decking
Upfront cost	lower to buy and install	higher to buy and install
Maintenance	oiling or staining every 6 to 12 months	a rinse and an occasional scrub
Wet underfoot	slippery unless treated or textured	built-in slip-resistant texture
Water and rot	can splinter, fade or rot untreated; vulnerable to pests and decay where water is trapped underneath	low absorption

Pool decking is often wet when the pool is in use. Timber can become slippery when wet unless it is treated or textured. Composite decking has a built-in slip-resistant texture.

Water can also collect under the boards. Untreated timber can splinter, fade, or rot. It is also vulnerable to pests and decay when water is trapped underneath. Composite decking has low absorption.

Choose based on upfront cost and ongoing maintenance. Timber requires oiling or staining once or twice a year. Composite requires rinsing and occasional scrubbing but costs more to install.

Decking sits beyond the coping and wet-edge paving. It is not included in the installed pool price and requires a separate contract arranged by the owner.

Can a fibreglass pool be built into a deck or sit above ground?

Yes. A fibreglass pool shell can be installed in-ground, partially above ground, or completely above ground. Above-ground installations require structural support around the shell, such as retaining walls or framed decking. This is especially important where the shell sits above the natural ground level.

A deck can support a raised shell. However, decking around a raised pool is owner-arranged work and is not included in the installed pool price. Partially raised shells on sloping blocks have similar support requirements.

All swimming pools in Australia require approval from the local building regulator before installation. This requirement applies to both above-ground and in-ground pools. We build across ten council areas: Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redlands, the Sunshine Coast, Lockyer Valley, and Somerset.

How does the pool fence change where paving and decking can go?

The fence line must be set before the pool surround is installed. The concrete or paving around the pool provides a permanent base for a compliant pool barrier. The pool cannot be certified until the barrier is installed and inspected. Landscaping does not need to be complete for certification.

Two quoted items depend on the fence line:

The under-fence concrete strip is included in the concrete work. The fence line must therefore be set before the concrete is poured.
If the fence line is within 1200 mm of the waterline, the fence must be earthed. Earthing is quoted as a separate item.

Any deck or paved area that crosses the fence line must be planned before the under-fence strip is poured.

Pool fencing is not included in the pool price.

Installed price	Frameless glass	Flat-top metal
Fencing, per metre	$436	$165
Self-closing gate, per unit	$495	$297
Panels on a retaining wall, per metre	$220 – $660	$220 – $385
Earthing (where required)	$40/m	$150 per job
Timber post upgrade, per metre	—	$50
Typical pool: 20m fence + 1 gate	$9,215	$3,597

Live rates from our quoting system — glass and metal fencing installed to QLD pool-barrier standards alongside your pool build.

Temporary pool fencing is required once the pool contains more than 300 mm of water. It must remain in place during installation and filling, before the permanent surround is installed.

Queensland's pool safety rules specify the barrier requirements. Set the fence line first, then plan the paving, decking and garden around it.

FAQs

Is it better to have pavers or concrete around a pool?

Neither option is always better. Poured concrete provides a continuous surface and is available in four finishes. It requires saw joints to control where shrinkage cracks occur. Pavers are already cured and do not shrink. If a paver is damaged, you can lift and replace it instead of cutting out a section.

What is the best type of paving for around a pool?

Choose based on heat and slip resistance. Travertine stays cool and does not become slippery when wet. Bluestone provides a non-slip surface. Both options use the same underlying build-up.

What is the lowest maintenance pool decking?

Composite decking requires the least maintenance. Rinse it regularly and scrub it occasionally. Timber decking requires oiling or staining every 6 to 12 months. Composite decking also has low absorption and a built-in slip-resistant texture. It costs more to purchase and install than timber decking.

What can you put around a pool instead of concrete?

Options include pavers, timber decking, composite decking, and garden beds or planting beyond the paved area. Concrete is still poured around the pool shell to form the structural bond beam and collar, regardless of the material used beyond it.

Do I need a permit for a deck around my pool?

Approval from the local building regulator is required before installing any swimming pool in Australia, whether above or below ground. Certification occurs after a compliant barrier is installed and inspected.

The deck is not included in the installed pool price. The owner must arrange it separately from the pool build. Landscaping does not need to be complete for certification.