In-ground pools are constructed from a liner that is placed inside the hole in the ground. The liner might be pre-fabricated, or it might be constructed onsite from concrete bricks and a layer of cement. Regardless of the material, there exists a gap between the lining of the pool and the surrounding soil. That is covered in part by the pool decking, but coping helps to cover the rest of the space and to create a seamless transition between all materials.
Concrete is often used for coping since it is relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and easy to mold to the desired shape. However, natural stone coping offers many more benefits, as well as a beautiful look. At Triad Associates, we use a variety of materials for natural stone coping to achieve gorgeous results. Our designers can work with you to get the look you want for your pool, whether you are upgrading an existing pool or building a new one. Let’s Talk Today!
Here are some of the many reasons to use natural stone coping for your pool:
Durability
Natural stone is hardened over time through a combination of minerals and circumstances. Some stones are harder than others, but we choose only the most durable stones for pool coping. These will last much longer than the typical concrete. The natural stone will hold up to the elements, will withstand pressure from heavy foot traffic or from swimmers pulling up on the ledge, and will withstand most damage from accidents.
You can be sure that when you invest in natural stone coping, you will enjoy the returns for decades to come.
Safety
Safety is a top concern for any material you choose to use around your pool. Natural stone has a somewhat textured surface that helps to reduce the likelihood of slipping, even when there has been plenty of splashing to create wet surfaces and puddles. Some stones offer more grip than others, and our hardscape designers can counsel you on the best stone choices to provide the safest surface while also creating the type of design you want.
Easy to Maintain
Natural stone coping is much easier to maintain than some other types of pool coping. Many natural stones do not require any kind of maintenance at all. If dirt begins to accumulate over time, you can simply clean them with a mild soap and water.
Some of the more porous stones will benefit from being sealed on a regular schedule. However, outside of the sealing, they don’t require any more maintenance than the routine cleaning. Most natural stone is resistant to staining, cracking, and other damage. You just need to give it a good scrub if grime starts to build up.
Ease in Installation
Natural stone coping is sold in similar shapes as concrete coping. It is usually sold as a rectangular slab (having been cut from the stone). That makes it easy to install in a border around the edge of the pool. It can be cut and mortared, just like other coping, allowing it to achieve a smooth and even finish.
The ready availability of natural stone coping and its ease of installation means that you can select it without spending inordinately more than you would for concrete or other types of coping.
Variety of Colors and Styles
The material you choose for your pool’s coping can have a big impact on its overall style. One of the great benefits of using natural stone for coping is that you can choose from a variety of colors and styles for a multitude of designs. That array of options gives you the ability to find coping that better suits the materials you use for your pool decking, the pool liner, and any accessory elements, like columns or fire pits.
Our designers can help you visualize your options through the use of stone samples, sketches, and 3D design software. You’ll be able to quickly see what a difference a different color or even a different size or texture of stone can make to the finished design.
Could Add Value to Your Property
Natural stone is sophisticated and elegant. When people see it, they know they are looking at quality material that will last a long time while still being easy to maintain. Using natural stone coping for your pool will improve your home’s curb appeal, as well as its overall value. While you may not be looking to sell your home anytime soon, any steps that you take to increase its value only strengthens your investment. And because the stone has a long life, you can be sure that when you are ready to sell, the stone coping will have the same benefits for your sales price.
Selecting Your Coping and Your Pool’s Design Elements
There are many benefits to choosing natural stone coping for your pool, but it is just one of many elements that you have to consider when determining the design of your pool. You must consider the look you want your pool to have, as well as safety issues, maintenance, budget, and more when you are deciding on all the materials you want to use.
The experienced design experts at Triad Associates will help you choose the perfect natural stone coping to complement the other design elements of your pool. We can help you to upgrade an existing pool, or we can help you to design a pool from scratch, selecting all the elements of the design to get the perfect look. We work with a variety of stones, and we’ll help you decide on the perfect one.
Call us today to schedule a consultation to start the remodel or design of your pool. We have stone samples to help you learn more about the different options, including getting a feel for their actual texture. We perform a site evaluation and answer any questions you have about the process so that you feel empowered moving forward. Call us or Contact Us today to get started!
