What is the best concrete finish for a pool surround?

The two we use most are honed concrete and liquid limestone. Both are matte and have more grip than polished concrete. Which is better depends on the look you want.

Is a honed pool surround slippery?

Honed concrete is matte and textured, so it feels less slick underfoot than a glossy surface. We talk through grip and sealer options before starting.

Can an existing pool slab be resurfaced?

Often, if the slab is sound. We check for cracks, movement and old sealers first, and photos of the area help us advise.

Concrete pool surround finishes: honed or liquid limestone?

A pool surround has a harder job than most floors. It is wet, barefoot, in full sun and next to chlorinated water. When we are asked about pool surrounds in Bunbury and the South West, the choice is usually between two finishes.

Concrete pool surround finished by Clutch Construction

What a pool surround needs

Grip when wet. The surface should not be glossy.
Low glare. A mirror finish throws sunlight straight back at you.
A surface that suits the sun. Colour and texture change how the surface feels in summer.
Easy care. A sealer should protect it from stains and pool chemicals.

Honed concrete

Honed concrete is ground with diamond abrasives, then stopped before the gloss stage. The result is a flat, matte, grippy surface that keeps a clean concrete look. It works on new slabs, and on sound existing ones.

Liquid limestone

Liquid limestone is applied over a sound concrete slab and finished by hand to give a natural limestone look. It suits people who want a softer, warmer, stone-style result around the pool and patio.

How to choose

Choose honed if you like the look of concrete and want a straightforward, hard-wearing matte surface. Choose liquid limestone if the stone look matters most. Either way, the slab underneath decides the result, so the condition of an existing slab matters more than the surface choice.

If the pool leads to a driveway or paths, it can make sense to plan them as one job: see concrete driveways. Homeowners can read more on our residential page, and we also take on projects in Perth.

Send photos of your pool area with a quote request and we will say which finish we would use and why.

Where we work: Bunbury and the South West of Western Australia.

Common questions

What is the best concrete finish for a pool surround?: The two we use most are honed concrete and liquid limestone. Both are matte and have more grip than polished concrete. Which is better depends on the look you want.
Is a honed pool surround slippery?: Honed concrete is matte and textured, so it feels less slick underfoot than a glossy surface. We talk through grip and sealer options before starting.
Can an existing pool slab be resurfaced?: Often, if the slab is sound. We check for cracks, movement and old sealers first, and photos of the area help us advise.