🧱 Why Blue Gray Limestone Is the Smart Upgrade for Modern Pool Decks & Patios

When designing or building modern pool decks, performance, aesthetics, and comfort are all important considerations. For years, Pennsylvania Bluestone has been a common and well-known traditional material, known for its classic look. At one time, PA Bluestone was abundant and economically attractive, but that is no longer the case. However, in today’s market—where homeowners demand beauty and an affordable luxury aesthetic combined with barefoot comfort—blue-gray limestone is becoming the intelligent alternative.

5 Reasons Contractors and Builders Are Switching from Bluestone to Blue Gray Limestone

☀️ 1. Cooler Underfoot

Nothing ruins a poolside moment faster than uncomfortably super-heated stone. PA Bluestone, while visually appealing to some, absorbs a tremendous amount of heat—especially in mid-day sun.

Blue-gray limestone, by contrast, has significantly less naturally occurring metal content with a consequence of keeping it cooler underfoot. This technical advantage makes it ideal for:

Pool decks
Lounge and entertainment areas
Walkways, outdoor kitchens, etc.

Who wants to wear flip-flops to walk around their pool or patio?

🔨 2. Smoother to Cut, Easier to Install

As we all know, time is money. Material performance at installation is critical.

GOTHICSTONE SEAHAZE SEA^tm Blue Gray limestone offers:

Consistent sizing and thickness speed installation time
Cleaner cuts, minimizing waste, delamination, and chipped edges
Fewer on-site surprises, speeding up installation timelines

Compared to the natural variability and occasional brittleness of Bluestone, limestone’s predictability means fewer headaches and faster job completion.

🎨 3. Neutral Tones that Complement Any Design

Blue-gray limestone brings a soft, clean, and modern tone to outdoor spaces. Whether your client wants a traditional backyard or a contemporary hardscape, its subtle texture and even coloration combined with a multitude of surface finishes provide the flexibility to match nearly any design palette from rustic to contemporary.

Available in:

Pavers & tile in any pattern, any size, and any thickness including extra-large-format 18″x36″, 30”x30”, 24”x48”, etc.
Custom-sized slabs for outdoor kitchen countertops, seating/bench areas, firepits, and other accouterments to complete a cohesive design.
Driveway pavers, coping, step & block treads, tile, wall caps, and wall stone.

💧 4. Slip-Resistant and Safe

Safety is a top priority around pools, and blue-gray limestone rises to the occasion. With its naturally high coefficient of friction, this stone provides excellent grip even in wet conditions. As a result, this limestone meets or exceeds safety standards for pool surrounds—delivering both style and peace of mind.

💰 5. Less Expensive, Better Cost Control, Better Margins

Gothicstone SEAHAZE SEA^tm limestone is more attractively priced than the comparable honed and calibrated PA Bluestone. Additionally, these materials may seem similar in many ways, but labor, waste, and performance tell a different story.

Blue Gray limestone offers:

Lower material cost per square foot
More predictable sizing and thickness, reducing installation time
Fewer broken pieces, minimizing waste
Less heat retention, reducing callbacks for pool deck installs
Longer service life maximizing the total cost of ownership

🧱 Conclusion: Upgrade the Pool Deck Ownership Experience

Today’s pool owners expect more. As a builder or contractor, providing a surface that looks beautiful, feels cooler, and installs cleanly and efficiently is key to maintaining trust and earning lifetime referrals.

Blue-gray limestone is not just a material—it’s the smarter upgrade.

✅ Comfortable
✅ Elegant
✅ Practical
✅ Contractor-approved

📩 Ready to specify GOTHICSTONE SEAHAZE SEA^tm Limestone for your next project?

Let’s talk about samples, pricing, and how we can help you streamline your next build.

Email us: stonehunter@gothicstone.com

Visit: www.gothicstone.com