Pavers Woodland Hills – Installation, Repair & Retaining Walls

Woodland Hills is one of the hottest places in Los Angeles. The weather station at Pierce College recorded 121°F in September 2020, a county record. Heat like that changes what you should put around a pool or under bare feet, and it puts extra stress on joints, sealers and anything dark.

Woodland Hills homes

At the west end of the San Fernando Valley, Woodland Hills runs from the flats around Warner Center and Ventura Boulevard up into the hills toward Topanga and the Santa Monica Mountains. The flats have post-war and 1960s ranch homes on good-sized lots, plus condos and townhomes near Warner Center. South of Ventura, the hillside neighborhoods have 1960s to 1980s homes on sloping and terraced lots, many with pools and views.

Choosing materials for the heat

On a 100-degree afternoon, dark concrete pavers get hot enough to be painful barefoot. Lighter colors reflect more sun and stay cooler. A few options that work well here:

• Light travertine is the usual pool-deck choice. It stays comparatively cool and has a natural texture for wet feet. See travertine pavers.
• Light concrete pavers cost less and are easy to match for future repairs.
• Textured porcelain is stain-resistant, but pick a light color and an outdoor-rated slip-resistant finish.

Heat also affects joints and sealers. Polymeric sand has to be installed and activated correctly, and sealers on travertine wear faster in full sun. Plan on periodic maintenance. See our polymeric sand guide.

Thermal movement

A large paved area expands in the heat. Pavers handle that better than poured concrete because each joint gives a little, but the edges still need a solid restraint and a small gap where pavers meet walls, steps and the house.

Hillside lots

South of Ventura, many yards are terraced with retaining walls. Walls over 4 feet from the bottom of the footing, or walls supporting a slope or driveway, need a permit and engineering. Steep driveways need a deep base, strong edge restraint and a channel drain at the bottom.

Condos and HOAs

Many townhome and condo communities near Warner Center and elsewhere in Woodland Hills have HOAs that control exterior changes, including patios. Get written approval before work starts.

Permits and trees

Woodland Hills is part of the City of Los Angeles. At-grade paving on private property generally doesn’t need a building permit; driveway approaches at the street need a Bureau of Engineering A-Permit. Native oaks of 4 inches or more in diameter are protected, and work inside their dripline can require a permit.

Woodland Hills paver questions

What’s the coolest paver for a pool deck?

Light-colored travertine is the usual answer. Light concrete and light porcelain are next.

Will my pavers fade in the sun?

Concrete pavers can lighten over years of UV. Porcelain holds its color best. Sealers can deepen and protect concrete and stone colors.

How often should I re-sand the joints?

Check them every year or two, and top up where they’ve washed out.

What does a pool deck cost?

See our cost guide; coping is priced separately.

For a Woodland Hills estimate, call (213) 577-0727 or send photos through the form.