Take Your Pool from Plain to Posh with Faux Stone Paneling

Is your above ground pool looking lackluster? Do you feel embarrassed when guests come over rather than proud to show off your backyard oasis? Upgrading to faux stone paneling could be the affordable renovation you need to completely transform the look of your pool.

Faux stone panels allow you to reimagine your existing pool surround with the natural texture and chic style of real stone, without the excessive cost, weight, or installation hassles. With faux stone, you can easily DIY a luxurious new look that makes your above ground pool the envy of the neighborhood.

Benefits of Using Faux Stone Panels

Durability & Easy Maintenance

Faux stone panels designed for pool use are extremely durable to prevent deterioration from constant water exposure. Made from dense materials like polyurethane or fiberglass reinforced plastic, quality faux stone resists damage from weather, pests, and typical wear and tear.

The solid faux stone construction also makes panels easy to clean. Simply spray down occasionally with mild soap and water without worrying about dirt or mildew getting lodged in tiny grout lines the way real stone would. No special cleaners or intensive scrubbing needed!

Affordability

Outfitting an entire pool with genuine stone is an extremely expensive prospect requiring professional masonry services, custom cutting and fitting challenges, expansive mortar beds, and intensive labor. With lightweight faux stone panels that mount directly onto existing pool walls, you save hugely on project costs.

Many faux stone pool kits cost a fraction of natural stone. And by tackling installation yourself in a weekend instead of paying a stonemason for weeks, you pocket major savings in the thousands. The variety of panel options guarantees you find stone styling to suit your vision at a price you can afford.

Appearance

Quality faux stone mimics the rich texture and varied character of natural stone surfaces. Using molds cast from real slate, travertine, and other stones, faux panels authentically emulate the dimensional details, irregular roughness, and subtle imperfections for a convincingly genuine look.

Faux stone paneling also allows you to finally unify the style of your pool area. Repeating the stone veneer on surrounding patios, walls, and hardscaping pulls the whole space together into a seamlessly integrated backyard paradise.

Customization & Easy Installation

Every pool shape and backyard landscape is different. Faux stone panels deliver customized solutions to enhance your unique space. Available in a spectrum of earthy neutrals and with different sizes to mix and match, it's easy to configure an attractive stone layout.

Panels install directly over any existing pool siding without needing to pour concrete footings or use cumbersome mortar. Simple do-it-yourself fastening systems make elevating your pool's design simple and straightforward for beginners. And should you later relocate the pool or want to change up the look, panels remove cleanly without damaging the structure underneath.

Types of Faux Stone Styles

Stacked Stone

Stacked stone faux panels recreate the appearance of irregular broken stones layered loosely upon one another for beautiful shadow lines and depth. The linear orientation and ragged edges create a bold yet warm, earthy style perfect for rustic lodge aesthetics. Mix-and-match contrasting colors and sizes for lots of customizable possibilities.

Quality brands like Barron Designs capture the picturesque charm of natural quarried stone. Budget-friendly compared to real multi-ton stone walls, achieve a similar aesthetic impact for your above ground pool using lightweight polyurethane substitutes.

Cobblestone

For a quaint English garden or old-world Tuscan courtyard vibe, faux cobblestone infuses tradition and understated elegance. The signature contoured shape with rounded edges lends visual depth and organic interest. Evergreen shades of warm beige or weathered grey stone project welcoming charm.

Faux cobblestone panels like those offered by Rock Solid Stoneworks deliver the same essence for a fraction of the cost of traditional stone-by-stone laying. Enjoy all the bespoke European aesthetic with painless installation!

Travertine

Travertine's beige and ivory striated stone pairs splendidly with brown fencing, Mediterranean plantings, and any Southwestern or California bungalow-inspired backyard. The subtly rustic layered texture plays beautifully off shimmering turquoise waters for an elevated yet wonderfully livable poolside experience.

Brands like [Brand] replicate travertine's iconic elegance. For a personalized touch, mix warm and cool travertine looks with coordinating natural stone styles like stacked slate or tumbled limestone.

Installation Process

Installing faux stone panels around your above ground pool is an achievable DIY project with this simple step-by-step process:

Measure Space

Like any construction project, precision is key for a polished result. After identifying your desired stone style, thoroughly measure the square footage needing coverage, including the height of vertical areas. Account for how panels might need to be cut to fit corners or allow for entries and exits.

Strategically map out panel placement for most efficient use, planning any decorative banding or accents. Order all necessary materials including matching trims and transitions beforehand so everything arrives in one shipment.

Prepare Surface

Ensure your pool surround offers an even, stable foundation for faux panels. Clean thoroughly and allow to dry completely. Fill any cracks or gaps with sealant and level out any protruding anchors, fittings or uneven spots.

For especially smooth mounting, finish by adding a fresh layer of moisture-resistant waterproof adhesive primer and let cure overnight.

Cut Panels to Fit

Using a sharp utility knife and straightedge, measure and score faux panels to custom sizes fitting your space. Utilize offcuts elsewhere as infills. Allow small, uniform gaps around perimeters and between adjoining panels to allow room for expansion in fluctuating weather.

Seal all exposed edges with quality caulk or silicone specifically formulated for pool use to prevent water infiltration leading to detachment or damage.

Affix Panels

Following manufacturer specifications for your mounting system, attach panels to the prepared surface working methodically from bottom to top. Permanent panel fixings like ribbed nails ensure reliable adhesion while still allowing safe removal if later necessary.

High-quality construction-grade exterior silicones and polyurethane adhesives also work well. Apply controlled dabs to fully support each panel's weight without squeeze-out between seems for clean lines.

Cost Analysis

What's the total investment to elevate your lackluster above ground pool with fab faux stone appeal? Here's a realistic budget breakdown:

Breakdown of Expenses

For a 10x15 foot rectangular pool approximately 4 feet tall, using standard 2x2 cobblestone panels:

• Materials (20 boxes at $150 each) = $3,000
• Adhesives & caulking = $200
• Tools = $100 (if DIYing)
• Total = $3,300

Going with a professional installation instead adds an estimated $2,500 - $4,000 depending on complexity factors and your area's labor rates. Still hugely cheaper than genuine stone.

Return on Investment

While not inexpensive upfront, faux stone panelspay for themselves in added real estate value and ongoing enjoyment:

• Increased home resale value from enhanced backyard could reasonably expect to recoup 50-75% of project cost
• For $100 per month over their decades long lifespan, that's an incredible value-per-use

A swanky backyard oasis and expanded living space for entertainment will bring your family years of quality time together. The memories made enjoying the pool area day after day are priceless.

Tired of staring at boring white metal walls around your above ground pool? Faux stone paneling utterly transforms plain pools into backyard masterpieces. With faux stones like stacked slate or cobblestones, upgrade to gorgeous high-end style for reality-based budget. Any pool shape can be customized with waterproof, low-maintenance panels replicating luxury stonework. Installation directly over existing materials makes elevating your pool's design simple even for DIY beginners. Give your outdoor space the chic stone palette it deserves!