Thinking about a backyard refresh? Late fall is the perfect time to plan your Sarasota pool remodel so construction and installations land smoothly in the New Year. Below, we’ll cover modern decking and tile choices, comfort/efficiency upgrades that lower operating costs, timelines, and how to phase a project to fit your schedule.
If you’d like a tailored plan for your home, start with a pool remodeling consultation in Sarasota or Manatee County.
Signs it’s time for a pool remodel
- Aging finishes: Etching, staining, or rough plaster/pebble that catches on swimsuits
- Outdated waterline tile: Hard to clean, chipped, or dated pattern/colors
- Coping and expansion issues: Cracked or shifting edges around the pool
- Deck wear: Spalling concrete, pavers settling, or surfaces that get too hot/slippery
- Rising energy costs: Single‑speed pumps, halogen lights, and manual controls
- Lifestyle changes: You want a safer, brighter space for evening entertaining
Book a site visit so we can evaluate surfaces, equipment, and drainage together.
Pool decking upgrades: travertine, concrete pavers, shellstone, porcelain pavers, marble pavers, and shellock pavers
The Suncoast’s heat, sun, and salt air make material choice critical. Here’s how popular surfaces compare in Sarasota:
Travertine pavers (tumbled or brushed)
Pros
- Cooler underfoot
- Elegant, great traction when properly finished
Notes
- Choose quality, dense stone and a breathable sealer
- Match coping for a seamless edge
Concrete pavers
Pros
- Broad styles and price points
- Modular repairs
- Excellent drainage with proper base
Notes
- Specify joint sand stabilizer and a sealer appropriate for pool decks
Shellstone / Limestone
Pros
- Naturally cool feel and coastal look
- Good traction
Notes
- Select salt‑compatible stone and sealing products if you run a salt system
Hardscape porcelain pavers
Pros
- No sealing
- No fading lifetime deck
- Anti-skid
Marble pavers
Pros
- Cooler underfoot
- Elegant, great traction when properly finished
Shellock pavers
Pros
- Cool, non-porous sealing is optional
Thinking about carrying hardscape lines into the landscape and seating areas? Coordinate with our sister company, Plant Source Landscape Co., for paver patios and transitions.
Tile and coping refresh: small updates, big visual impact
Waterline tile
- Large‑format porcelain and glass mosaics resist staining and make cleaning easier. Pick tones that bridge interior finish, coping, and deck color.
Coping
- Bullnose travertine, precast concrete, or matching paver coping modernize the edge and improve comfort for sit‑and‑soak ledges.
Run a salt system? Choose tile grout and metals that are friendly to saline environments. For clearer, more “soft‑feeling” water after your remodel, consider the advantages of AOP pool systems.
Energy‑smart pool equipment that pays off
Variable‑speed pump (VSP)
- Cuts electricity use dramatically compared to single‑speed models and allows fine‑tuned flow rates for features and heaters.
- Learn more about ENERGY STAR-certified pool pumps
LED pool and landscape lighting
- Crisp, low‑energy illumination with long lifespans; better color options and smart controls.
- Coordinate pool lights with landscape lighting design so paths, steps, and focal plants are safely and beautifully lit
Automation and smart controls
- Control from anywhere and everywhere: Schedule pumps, heaters, and lights; control from your phone; reduce wasted runtime.
Covers and heating synergy
- A simple thermal cover or roller can reduce evaporation and heat loss, improving the performance of heat pumps or solar.
- For an overview of heating strategies and cover benefits, see the U.S. Department of Energy’s pool heating guide
Drainage and safety details that make a difference
- Deck pitch and channel drains keep water moving away from the pool and house.
- Non‑slip surface specs for any deck material reduce slip risk around play areas.
- Barrier and entrapment compliance: Ensure gates, alarms, and suction outlets meet current Florida requirements.
Timelines, permits, and scheduling in Sarasota or Manatee County
- Typical durations
- Resurfacing + tile/coping: about 1–3 weeks on‑site (weather dependent)
- Deck demo and rebuild: 1–2 weeks for most paver/travertine projects
- Equipment upgrades: often completed in a day once power/pad space are ready
- Permitting
- Scope determines permit needs (e.g., structural changes, gas lines, new electrical). We’ll outline the steps for your jurisdiction and handle submittals.
- Seasonal scheduling
- Planning in late fall locks in crews for Q1, avoids summer rain delays, and gets you swim‑ready for spring break.
Need an assessment of your pad space, electrical, or gas service ahead of upgrades? Contact Tortuga Pools & Spa for more information.
How to phase a remodel without losing swim time
- Phase 1: Equipment and lighting
- Install VSP, automation, and LED lights first for immediate savings and
safety.
- Install VSP, automation, and LED lights first for immediate savings and
- Phase 2: Tile, coping, and interior finish
- Tackle waterline and interior surfaces together to minimize downtime.
- Phase 3: Decking and hardscapes
- Finish with deck replacement and any drainage re‑work; coordinate with landscape updates for a clean hand‑off to planting.
For a seamless finish, coordinate landscape lighting and poolside planting with Plant Source.
Most resurfacing projects require the pool to be offline for 7–10 days, including
curing and initial water balancing.
Yes. VSPs can cut pump energy use by 50–70% when properly programmed at
lower daily speeds. See ENERGY STAR’s guidance for details.
Absolutely—just choose salt‑friendly materials and maintain balanced chemistry
to protect grout and metals.
It depends on scope. Structural deck work, gas lines, and new circuits typically
require permits. We’ll advise and manage the process for your municipality.
In most cases, yes. Modern controllers retrofit nicely and can manage pumps,
lights, heaters, and water features from a single app.
Ready to plan your Sarasota pool remodel?
Let’s map your decking, tile, and energy‑smart upgrades so you’re ready for the New Year.
Request a consultation with Tortuga Pools & Spas proudly serving Sarasota County, Manatee County, and surrounding areas.