Merritt Island

Merritt Island is pool deck country. Most of the calls we get here are homeowners tired of a hot, stained concrete deck that gets slick when it is wet, and travertine or textured porcelain solves both problems at once: cooler underfoot in July, and grippy when the kids climb out.

The canal and river lots sit low, so drainage gets planned before the paver layout. We set the slope to move water toward the yard or a drain line, not toward the lanai, and tie in a French drain when the grade will not do the job alone.

Salt air is hard on cheap materials. We spec pavers, edge restraints, and sealers that hold up on the island rather than whatever is on sale that week.