Pool decking

[AMCPeachtree]

We just finished building our pool and need to choose the coping and decking.
My first choice was porcelain pavers. Mason says the only way he will install it is with a cement slab under it. If we go with that option it’s super expensive.
We could go with another Mason that doesn’t seemed as experienced but says he usually sets Porcelain pavers in sand at about a third of the price for the install.
I am leaning towards going with the better Mason and just doing stamped cement that is sealed. I don’t like that it has to be resealed every few years. Does it really have to be resealed? If it’s being sealed every few years, should I just bite the bullet and go with Porcelain ?
I need to decide soon and keep going back and forth. Does anyone have any advice ? TIA

 

[Jayphil]

Any type of sealer with some gloss like those they put concrete will likely need maintenance every year or two especially around a pool with chlorine, salts and high walking area. Only penetrating sealer like silane siloxane can work for 5-10 years depending on the application but they do not change the look of the concrete (no wet look nor gloss) but I am not sure if this could work on a stamped concrete job an achieve the look you would expect... I have used this on my brushed concrete and it is perfect for salt and water penetration barrier, will last years but it does not provide a good stain protection so it requires some cleaning maintenance.

 

[AMCPeachtree]

Thanks, I think Brushed Concrete is very similar to stamped concrete. Mason is telling me that The pool company does not allow him to compact the ground.
They let is settle for a month and said it should be naturally compacted. Is this correct?
Thanks!