If you are looking for a fun and aesthetically pleasing addition to your inground pool, deciding on pool coping is something to consider in advance.
Pool coping is one of the essential elements of inground pool installation. It refers to the decorative covering of the edge of the pool, which sets the mood for your design and prevents the water from slipping behind the pool wall.
You might not have thought about pool coping before, but it is one of the essential elements of an inground pool installation.
What is Pool Coping?
Think of the pools you have looked at for inspiration when choosing your design. You’ll notice they all contain pool copings of different styles that function as protective lips along the top of your pool wall.
If there was no pool coping, the edge of the pool would not only look incomplete (especially with concrete pools where coping functions as the pool edge) but would also pose a danger for swimmers if the bong beam is left exposed.
Depending on the material you use for building the pool, the edge can be more or less dangerous if not covered.
Also, if there is no pool coping, the water splashes when entering and leaving the swimming pool can get behind the inground pool shell and create another type of risky environment for the swimmers.
It can either be too slippery to move around safely, leading to injuries or accidental falls into the pool, or it can damage the pool by not allowing proper drainage of the water splashed out of the pool.
Types of Coping for Your Pool
The types of pool coping depend on the type of swimming pool you choose to install. This affects both the materials used and the style:
- The coping materials usually include tile, natural stone, or molded concrete.
- The coping styles include bullnose coping and vinyl pool coping, including top-mount coping, cantilever edge coping, rough-cut coping, and flat-mount coping.
Bullnose Coping
To achieve a seamless appearance and have a blunt edge, ensuring swimmers’ safety, opt for bullnose coping pool. It can use tiles, poured concrete, or pavers with a rounded edge.
Bullnose coping provides you with a smooth edge that makes getting in and out of the water safer and more comfortable for swimmers than with 90-degree angle coping. There is a full bullnose with a 180° curve from the deck line to the water edge, and a half bullnose that rounds at the top edge and is flat on the bottom.
To make the coping higher at the water edge and slope down towards the deck to help the water get drained, opt for raised coping.
Apart from covering the pool edge, bullnose coping can also work for outdoor patio steps. One of its great advantages is that it comes in many different styles, textures, and colors, from natural stone to precast pool coping. You can customize it and make it uniquely fit your house and backyard.
There are no worries if there’s already an existing concrete deck, as bullnose coping allows for remodeling and can be installed over existing hard surfaces. The thickness of pool coping will depend on the thickness of the hard surface you want to be covered.
Among bullnose coping shapes, you can choose between:
- Full bullnose
- Half bullnose
- Flat bullnose
- Raised bullnose
The range of styles and colors includes:
- Natural stone
- Precast concrete
- Poured-in-place concrete
- Natural texture
- Smooth finish
- Tumbled finish
- Regular bullnose
- Remodel bullnose, etc.
Vinyl Pool Coping
Vinyl pool coping is available in various materials and applications and is most often included in the manufacturer’s kit.
The most common coping style for vinyl liner pools is aluminum C-track coping, which is easy to install and pour concrete around. A downside to this coping style is that it creates a noticeable white rim around the pool edge.
If you want to go for a finished concrete or stone appearance, cantilevered coping is the right option for you. The coping is made out of foam and which allows for the concrete to be poured up to the very edge of the pool.
You can also opt for a curved aluminum coping resulting in a slight protrusion of the poured concrete into the area of the pool for splash prevention and holding onto it when in the pool.
Top-mount coping stands out as the most popular coping option with vinyl pool kits. Heavy powder-coated aluminum is attached to the pool wall for the concrete to be poured up against it for the deck.
Another coping style you can choose for a more natural appearance is rough-cut coping which refers to roughly cut organic stones.
Additionally, there is flat-mount coping which isn’t exactly coping but supports traditional coping by holding the pool liner securely for the coping to be laid out on top.
Finally, one of the most popular coping styles combines precast coping with bullnose edges due to its durability and low maintenance. Precast coping allows for an affordable, natural stone look and is quite easy to install.
Tips for Choosing Pool Coping for your Pool
Due to a wide range of pool coping styles and materials, choosing the right one for you might be a bit challenging. Especially if you haven’t decided on the type of inground pool you’d like to install. Therefore, here are the three things to keep in mind when considering which pool and coping to opt for.
Safety
The number one priority when choosing a coping style should definitely be safety. Therefore, you might want to rethink some of your aesthetic choices if they can’t guarantee swimmers’ safety.
For example, you may prefer highly-polished elements but should avoid them due to their slippery surface. Instead, you should consider elements with rough or matte finishes allowing for more stability through traction.
Another aspect you should look out for is if coping materials are prone to chipping or cracking and if they have rough edges. Avoid those choices by taking into account their practical use and durability.
Appearance
The pool coping you choose will give your pool a specific look based on the material you choose, as well as the coping style itself.
Most people simply go for a seamless look and a decorative edge. You can achieve this by using the poured concrete and a bullnose edge for a smooth and pleasing look.
If you prefer a unique and sophisticated appearance, you may want to choose natural stones like limestone. You can pick your own colors and finishes that suit your surroundings such as a patio and agree with the inground pool type.
Maintenance
Another reason to choose durable materials is to reduce the level of maintenance you’ll have to perform.
While pavers can be easily cleaned and replaced in case of damage, concrete, and natural stone tend to crack or chip more easily.
Still, doing patchwork from time to time may not pose a nuisance for you if that is the material that will make you happy. After all, concrete is easy to construct and mold to look exactly how you want it.
Also, concrete and limestone are more affordable than pavers which require less maintenance, so your costs may end up looking the same in both cases.
Conclusion
The pool coping style and materials you choose contribute to the overall aesthetics of your inground pool and its surroundings. It also provides pool safety and is a crucial factor in the wear and tear of your pool surfaces.
Therefore, you need to take into account far more than just what looks attractive and think about your inground pool, landscaping, architecture, safety, maintenance, etc.
Make sure you take enough time to consider all the options you have so that you can enjoy your choices for a long time.
