Pool landscaping
in the Montérégie

Landscaping a backyard with an inground pool in Quebec has to combine aesthetics, function and regulatory compliance. The first step is to plan the mandatory safety enclosure: under the Quebec Residential Swimming Pool Safety Regulation, any pool with a water depth reaching 60 cm must be surrounded by a fence at least 1.2 metres high, with a self-closing and self-latching gate. The choice of surface around the pool (non-slip interlock, concrete slab or natural stone) has to account for the safety of wet feet and for drainage. Beyond compliance, you need to think about integrating functional zones: a lounge area, a dining nook, plantings that add privacy without dropping too much debris in the water, and lighting that extends the evenings. Filtration and heating equipment must be installed more than one metre from the fence so a child cannot use it as a step to climb.

Yes, interlock holds up well to freeze-thaw cycles, as long as it is installed on a proper base. The key is the prep of the laying bed: a compacted crushed-stone base at least 12 to 18 inches thick, a geotextile membrane to separate the clay soil from the granular base, and a levelled sand bed on which the pavers are set. The big advantage of interlock over asphalt or poured concrete is its modular nature: the pavers are not bound to one another, which lets them shift slightly with ground movement without cracking. If a paver heaves after a hard winter, it can be lifted and reset individually without redoing the whole surface. That is why well-installed interlock lasts 25 to 30 years in Quebec.

A good drainage system is essential to prevent runoff and water damage during heavy rain or spring snowmelt. We first assess the slopes and the nature of the soil, then prepare the ground and install the geotextile membranes and drains that are needed before laying the final surfaces. On a sloped lot, common solutions include building retaining walls to create terraces and adding deep-rooted plantings to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. This prep work makes all the difference between landscaping that lasts and landscaping that breaks down after a few winters. At Aménagement Chartrand, this type of project is one of our specialties: our crews have the expertise to work on lots with access, slope or drainage constraints.

Interlock and a poured concrete slab are two popular options, but they have different strengths. Interlock offers more variety in colours, patterns and textures, and its modular nature makes it easier to repair. It also stands up better to ground movement caused by freezing and thawing. Its price ranges from $18 to $25 per square foot installed. A poured concrete slab is generally cheaper ($7 to $15 per square foot installed) and gives a smooth, uniform surface. Its main drawback in Quebec is that a crack in concrete is hard to repair attractively. Around a pool, we favour a non-slip, durable surface: interlock remains the most versatile choice.

Interlock installed correctly with a proper base can last 25 to 30 years in Quebec, and sometimes longer with good upkeep. That lifespan exceeds asphalt (about 15 years) and compares favourably to poured concrete. The quality of the paver, the thickness of the granular base and the care taken during installation are the factors that affect lifespan the most. What sets interlock apart from other surfaces is how easy it is to repair: if a section settles or a paver breaks, you simply remove the affected pavers, fix the base underneath and reset them, without redoing the whole surface.

The Residential Swimming Pool Safety Regulation applies to every outdoor pool with a water depth that can reach 60 cm or more, whether inground, semi-inground, above-ground or removable. The main requirements are: an enclosure at least 1.2 metres (4 feet) high, no opening that allows a spherical object 10 cm in diameter to pass through, a design that prevents climbing, and a gate fitted with a self-closing and self-latching mechanism. In addition, all equipment tied to the pool’s operation (filter, heater, pump) must be installed more than one metre from the fence if it could be used as a step to climb. Municipalities may impose additional requirements that are stricter than the provincial regulation.

The deadline to bring a residential pool into compliance with the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Regulation is September 30, 2027. This applies to owners whose pool was installed before November 1, 2010, who previously had an exemption. The original date was September 30, 2025, but the Quebec government granted a two-year extension. For all pools installed after November 1, 2010, compliance has been mandatory since they were put into service. After September 30, 2027, non-compliant owners face fines of $500 to $1,000 per day until they comply. It is best not to wait: fence installers are likely to be swamped as the deadline approaches.