Outdoor Living & Hardscape
What We Build Around Your Pool
Every element is designed in tandem with the pool — not added as an afterthought — so materials, levels, and aesthetics all flow together.
Pool Decking
The deck area directly surrounding the pool — typically 400–800 sq ft. We work in concrete, exposed aggregate, travertine, pavers, and natural stone, selected to complement your pool interior.
Coping
The cap edge between the pool shell and the deck. Coping material (travertine, limestone, precast, brick) is chosen in design and installed as part of the pool build — not retrofit later.
Retaining Walls
On sloped properties, retaining walls create level terraces for the pool and surrounding living space. We design these to match the overall aesthetic — not just engineering necessity.
Patio & Outdoor Living
Seating areas, dining zones, outdoor kitchen pads, pergola footings, and shade structure integration — all planned in the same design session as the pool itself.
Landscape Lighting
Low-voltage landscape lighting around the pool deck, stairs, and perimeter extends your outdoor living into the evening and improves safety around water.
Landscaping Integration
We coordinate with your landscaping vision — planting beds, turf edges, and planters designed to frame the pool and harden the transition between softscape and hardscape.
Decking & Hardscape Materials
| Material | Look & Feel | Durability | Best For | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete (broom finish) | Clean, neutral, traditional | Good — requires sealing every 2–3 years | Budget-conscious builds with classic aesthetic | $6 – $14 / sq ft |
| Exposed aggregate | Textured, slip-resistant, stone speckled | Very good — low maintenance | Active families, safety-conscious buyers | $10 – $18 / sq ft |
| Concrete pavers | Modular, wide color range, versatile | Excellent — individual units replace easily | Homeowners who want flexibility and premium look | $15 – $28 / sq ft |
| Travertine | Elegant, natural stone, warm tones | Good — porous, needs sealing in freeze climates | Upscale or Mediterranean-style builds | $25 – $45 / sq ft |
| Bluestone / Flagstone | Natural, irregular, premium feel | Excellent — dense and frost-resistant | Northeast climates, natural garden aesthetics | $30 – $55 / sq ft |
One team, one project
Pool and hardscape, designed together
When the pool builder and hardscape designer are the same team, the finished project is more coherent and less expensive. You avoid the coordination cost, scheduling conflict, and aesthetic mismatch that comes from hiring a separate patio contractor after the pool is built.
Budget & Financing
Complete outdoor living projects typically range$120,000–$350,000+
Pool, deck, hardscape, outdoor kitchen, and structures as one integrated scope. Explore pricing and our flexible financing options.
Individual Component Cost Ranges
These ranges reflect typical Beltway Pools scope items. Most outdoor living projects combine multiple elements — pricing is most efficient when everything is planned and built together.
Scope and pricing are confirmed during the design consultation. Outdoor kitchen appliances, pergola structures, and fire feature materials are quoted separately from Beltway Pools’ hardscape scope.
Plan the full picture
Start with the design
Hardscape decisions are made in the design phase — not after construction. See how our 3D design process captures the full pool and deck environment.
Related Services
Custom Pool Construction →
Pool and hardscape planned by the same team, one contract — more cohesive and less expensive than split scopes.
Custom Pool Design →
Decking, coping, and outdoor living scope are all finalized at the design stage before any work begins.
Coping Replacement →
Need to update your existing pool's coping and deck without a full rebuild? We handle renovations too.
What Our Customers Say
April 2023
“I reviewed multiple proposals on rebuilding a pool upon the purchase of our new house. The previous owner had deferred maintenance on literally every aspect of the pool. Our pool required 100% replacement of the filtration system, heater, skimmers and reconstruction of the drainage system, pool floor, tile and coping. Beltway Pools was by far the most responsive of the bidders with the most reasonable and easiest to understand pricing. Anything that I required clarity on they provided. We now are almost a year past the initial work and they did not deviate one penny from their original pricing. They continue to support us with weekly visits (incremental cost but well worth it) for cleaning and chemical balancing. We are very pleased with our service from Beltway Pools. -Andrew T. Positive Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value Services Cleaning, General construction, Remodelling, Swimming pool summerisation, Swimming pool water analysis, Winterisation”
April 2024
“Beltway Pools is Amazing. Their service is top notch. Hands down the best pool company in the DMV area. The one thing that I love about Beltway pools is not just the pool service and repairs but the timely responses I always get when I have an issue. The staff is very on point and amazing. The pricing is great as well. Services Above-ground pool installation, Cleaning, General construction, Custom swimming pool design, Design, General repairs & maintenance, Hot tub equipment maintenance, Hot tub equipment repair, In-ground pool installation, Jetted lap pool construction, Remodelling, Spa and hot tub installation, Swimming pool summerisation, Swimming pool crack repair, Swimming pool equipment maintenance, Swimming pool equipment repair, Swimming pool resurfacing, Swimming pool tile repair, Swimming pool water feature construction, Swimming pool water feature maintenance, Swimming pool water feature repairs, Hot tub test soaking, Swimming pool water analysis, Winterisation”
January 2026
“Beltway Pools is truly the best pool company in Alexandria. I know both Dragan and Rob and they are so professional - between the options in their showroom, punctuality, craftsmanship, suggestions for fixing other company's mistakes, the high level of detail, they are the very top of their industry. If you need a pool renovation, repairs, or regular service or maintenance in Alexandria and surrounding DMV areas, you'll be very pleased with Beltway Pools.”
Areas We Serve
Serving homeowners across Northern Virginia, Maryland & Washington, DC.
View all service areasOutdoor Living & Hardscape — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a full outdoor living area with pool and hardscape cost in the DMV?
A complete pool and outdoor living project in Northern Virginia or Maryland — including pool, deck, outdoor kitchen, seating areas, and lighting — typically ranges from $200,000 to $500,000+, with significant variation based on scope and material selections. Rough budget ranges by component:
- Custom gunite pool — $115,000–$250,000+
- Pool deck / hardscape — $20,000–$80,000+ depending on size and material
- Outdoor kitchen / bar — $15,000–$60,000+
- Pergola or shade structure — $15,000–$50,000+
- Landscape and lighting — $10,000–$40,000+
We provide a single integrated proposal covering every scope item — no subcontractor hand-offs or scope gaps. Request a consultation for your specific vision.
What hardscape materials do you recommend around a pool?
For the DMV climate — with freeze-thaw cycles each winter — material durability is as important as aesthetics. Our top recommendations:
- Travertine pavers — our most recommended pool surround material; naturally textured, stays relatively cool underfoot, and handles freeze-thaw extremely well when properly set on a compacted base
- Bluestone — thick, durable, excellent freeze-thaw performance; classic Northern Virginia and Maryland aesthetic
- Concrete pavers — more economical than natural stone; many texture and color options; good durability
- Exposed aggregate concrete — poured-in-place option with good traction; economical for larger deck areas
- Porcelain pavers — newer option; extremely durable, low maintenance, contemporary aesthetic; works well in modern pool designs
Can you build an outdoor kitchen or fireplace as part of a pool project?
Yes — outdoor kitchens, fire pits, fireplaces, and bars are common additions to our pool and outdoor living projects. We coordinate all trades (masonry, gas, electrical, plumbing) as part of the integrated project rather than leaving homeowners to subcontract these separately. Outdoor kitchens in the DMV typically include:
- Built-in grill (gas or charcoal)
- Refrigerator and under-counter storage
- Countertop work surface (granite, quartz, or concrete)
- Optional built-in pizza oven, side burners, or smoker
- Weatherproof cabinet systems
Gas fire features require a gas line connection, which we coordinate with your local utility as part of the permit process.
Do outdoor structures like pergolas require permits in Virginia or Maryland?
Yes, in most jurisdictions. Pergolas, pavilions, and shade structures attached to a pool deck or home typically require a building permit in Virginia and Maryland counties. Permit requirements depend on the structure's footprint, height, and whether it is attached to the home or freestanding. Electrical wiring in or to an outdoor structure always requires a separate electrical permit.
Beltway Pools manages all permits for every scope item in the project — including structural permits for shade structures, electrical permits for outdoor kitchen and lighting circuits, and gas permits for fire features. For jurisdiction-specific requirements, see our Pool Permits Guide.