Project Spotlight: Composite Pool Deck with Gable Louvre Pergola — Killarney Heights

Location: Killarney Heights, 2087 NSW
Year: 2022
Materials: Sea Salt Grey composite decking, gable-roof louvre pergola, frameless glass panels

The Vision

The owners of this Killarney Heights property had a kidney-shaped pool that had been surrounded by ageing pavers for over a decade. The pavers were cracked, uneven, and had never really worked as a comfortable entertaining area. The vision was to transform the pool surround into a full outdoor living space — beautiful to look at, comfortable to use, and as low-maintenance as possible.

Why Composite Around a Pool?

For pool surrounds specifically, composite decking has some significant advantages over timber:

• Slip resistance — Composite boards have a consistent textured surface that retains grip when wet. Timber can become slippery when wet and needs periodic sanding to maintain grip.
• No splinters — Bare feet around a pool need a forgiving surface. Composite delivers.
• No moisture absorption — Composite doesn't absorb pool water, chlorine splash, or rain. Timber can swell and warp with repeated wetting and drying.
• Colour stability — "Sea Salt Grey" maintains its appearance without oiling. Timber without regular oiling weathers to a rough grey.
• Low maintenance — No annual oiling or staining. Rinse with fresh water periodically.

For this particular family — busy, with kids, and wanting to enjoy the pool rather than maintain the deck — composite was the clear choice.

Wrapping a Kidney-Shaped Pool

Kidney-shaped pools present a design challenge: the curves mean you can't simply run boards in a single direction. We designed a board layout that:

• Runs parallel to the main straight section of the pool
• Uses a picture frame border to create a clean edge around the irregular pool shape
• Allows drainage gaps that align with the pool coping direction

The result is a deck that looks intentional and custom rather than like boards that "just fit around" the pool.

The Gable Louvre Pergola

The standout feature of this project is the gable-roof louvre pergola — a significant step up from a flat louvre system. A gable roof:

• Sheds water faster and more completely than flat systems during heavy rain
• Creates a higher central space — the interior feels like a proper room, not a low-slung structure
• Looks architecturally substantial from the street and garden
• Integrates ridge ventilation that prevents heat build-up in summer

The louvre blades are motorised, allowing the family to open or close the roof with a remote. When fully open, it's an alfresco space. When closed, it's a protected outdoor room.

Frameless Glass Panels

Along the sides of the pergola structure, frameless glass panels were installed rather than solid screens. This decision was driven by the owners' desire to:

• See into the pool area from the entertaining zone at all times (safety for children)
• Retain garden views without blocking sight lines
• Reduce wind without creating a closed, tunnel-like feel

Frameless glass panels at the sides, open louvre roof above: the result is a space that feels simultaneously sheltered and open — which is exactly what a good outdoor room should feel like.

Travertine Coping Integration

The existing pool had travertine coping that the owners wanted to retain. The Sea Salt Grey composite was selected in part because its cool grey tone works beautifully with cream and warm-toned travertine — the contrast is elegant without being stark.

Where the composite deck meets the travertine coping, we installed a small step detail that creates a clean line and prevents water from pooling at the junction.

Killarney Heights: What to Know

Killarney Heights sits on Sydney's North Shore in the Lane Cove River catchment area. It's a leafy suburb with large blocks and a mix of family homes — many with pools built in the 1980s and 90s that are now due for an upgrade.

We work extensively in Killarney Heights and surrounding suburbs including Forestville, Davidson, Frenchs Forest, and Belrose.

Call us on 0468 093 569 or get a free quote.

MJ Leckie Carpentry — Licensed Builders, Lic 353438C