There’s nothing quite like a backyard pool on a hot Queensland afternoon. The trouble is, by about 11 o’clock the concrete is too hot to walk on, the sun is fierce and the grown-ups are hiding inside while the kids have all the fun.

A patio beside the pool changes all that. It gives you a shady spot to watch the kids, somewhere to set up lunch and a place to dry off without getting sunburnt. Building close to water does come with a few extra things to get right, though. At Altec The Spacemakers, we’ve spent more than 50 years learning that the best outdoor spaces start with careful planning, so here are seven things we’d look at first.

1. Follow the Sun

Before you pick a spot, spend a weekend watching how the sun moves across your yard. Where does the shade fall in the morning? Which corner cops the full afternoon sun?

In most Queensland backyards, the west side is the one to watch. A patio that shades the area where you sit in the afternoon will get far more use than one that only covers the morning. You don’t need to shade the whole pool (most people still want some sun on the water), but you do want a cool spot within a few steps of it.

2. Choose a Roof That Suits the Job

Your patio roof does the heavy lifting when it comes to comfort. A few options work especially well by the pool:

• Insulated roofing has a foam core that keeps a lot of the heat out, so the space underneath stays noticeably cooler. It also quietens the rain on a stormy afternoon.
• Flyover and gable designs lift the roof up high, which lets breezes flow through and keeps the area feeling open.
• Skylights or clear sections let some natural light in, so the patio and the rooms behind it don’t feel too dark.

3. Pick Materials That Can Handle Pool Water

Chlorine and salt are tough on building materials. Splashes, spray and wet towels draped over beams all add up, and metal parts close to the water can corrode faster than the rest of your home.

That’s why it pays to check that the steel, finishes and fasteners suit a pool area. Some roofing and framing products need a higher grade of finish, or come with different warranty conditions, when they sit close to a pool. Close to water, that often means stainless steel fixings and posts set back from the splash zone where possible. If you’re thinking of enclosing the area around an indoor pool or spa, good ventilation matters too, as trapped moisture and chlorine fumes are hard on any structure.

4. Get the Flooring Right

Wet feet and smooth tiles are a bad mix. Standards Australia’s guide to slip resistance (HB 198) recommends a P4 slip rating for pool surrounds, so ask about the rating before you choose pavers, tiles or a deck coating. Lighter colours also stay cooler underfoot in summer.

Think about drainage at the same time. Your patio roof will shed a lot of water in a summer storm, and good guttering and downpipes stop it landing in the pool or pooling around the edge.

5. Plan Your Power and Lighting Early

Fans, lights and a power point for the BBQ make a poolside patio far more useful, but water and electricity need extra care. Australia’s wiring rules (AS/NZS 3000) set out zones around pools where electrical gear is restricted, and all pool-area wiring must be done by a licensed electrician with safety switch protection.

The easiest approach is to plan where fans, lights and outlets will go with your electrician before the patio goes up, so cabling can run neatly through the structure.

6. Respect the Pool Fence

Queensland has strict pool safety rules, and your patio can’t make the pool fence any easier to climb. Pool fences need a non-climbable zone, so anything with a flat, stable surface, like a bench, BBQ or planter, should be kept out of it. A patio post, screen or beam in the wrong spot can also create a foothold.

It’s important to get this right from the very beginning. We look at your pool fence as part of the design, so the patio works around it rather than against it.

7. Think About Privacy and Screening

If your pool is overlooked by the neighbours, outdoor blinds, privacy screens or static louvres on one or two sides can help. Blinds can be rolled up on still days and dropped down when you want privacy or need to block the low afternoon sun.

How Altec Helps

We take you from start to finish. From the first visit to the final handover, we design a patio around your pool, your home and the way your family lives. We handle the council approvals, build it with our own experienced team and back it with our 10 year workmanship guarantee. Council approvals: check!

Ready to Make the Most of Your Pool?

If you’re ready to spend more time by the water and less time hiding from the sun, we’d love to help. Book a free design consultation and we’ll help you create a poolside space the whole family will enjoy.