French-Inspired Pool Decks Are Making a Splash in the Lowcountry
In this Long Cove backyard, Year Round Pool brings European elegance to outdoor living with a pool design that feels both timeless and fresh.
Story by Alea Wilkins
Photography by Matt Garbade
Key Points
● French-pattern tiles have become popular in Lowcountry pool decks for their durability and polish.
● Heavy-duty materials like marble last in outdoor conditions, but they also come at a high price point.
● Year Round Pool showcases how French-pattern tiles add natural elegance to this Long Cove home.
Leave it to the French to make the avant-garde effortlessly chic. In masonry, a French pattern, also known as a Versailles pattern for its roots in the famous palace, refers to a repetitive arrangement of different-sized tiles. Though eccentric, it’s a look that, according to the experts at Year Round Pool Company, is en vogue. For the pool deck of this Long Cove backyard, French-pattern tiles appear at once high-end and low-key. When done in heavy-duty materials like marble, they have the staying power to last season after season. Discover why Lowcountry homeowners are opting for French-pattern tiling to create their dream outdoor spaces.
Fashion-forward
Like quintessential Parisian elegance, the tiles don’t need to shout for attention. They have an inherent je ne sais quoi. Upon first glance, their complexity garners immediate intrigue, sprawling into a mosaic of tiles that appears almost haphazard, but a closer look reveals a precise configuration designed down to the millimeter. The pattern evokes understated luxury that feels right at home in the Lowcountry’s lush setting.
Long-lasting
French-pattern tiles are traditionally forged from heavy materials, making them a natural choice for outdoor spaces. Resistant to weather and scratches, they can withstand years of wear, even in high-traffic areas of the home. This deck, composed of light gray marble tiles, speaks to the stone’s enduring popularity. Year Round Pool Company notes marble has been a top choice for homeowners in recent years, and it continues to grow more widespread for its durability and polish.
Beauty with a price
Despite their polished appearance, French-pattern tiles come with a major drawback: the cost. To install them, professionals need to carefully measure a space to guarantee a proper fit; however, this step isn’t expensive on its own. Quality materials like marble are the real cost driver. For a more cost- effective alternative, choose French-pattern tiles made of travertine. They scratch more easily than marble, but they’re more forgiving on your budget and are just as weatherproof. No matter which material you choose, French-pattern tiles bring undeniable glam to your home, wherever it may be.
