Pool coping is the transitional area from your pool to your pool deck. It’s used to cap the pool shell wall in order to create a defined boundary for the pool.
Coping can either be the same material as the pool deck or a different one. Often a different material, pattern, color, or style is used to create a more defined coping area, as you can see in the photo below.

What Are My Options for Pool Coping?

There are a number of options for materials for pool coping. In this week’s blog, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of the various pool coping materials out there.
Pavers
Concrete pavers are one of the most common pool coping (and pool deck) materials out there. While pavers are made out of concrete, they’re pre-finished and cured at the factory, so they won’t crack like a slab of concrete inevitably will. Even if you use pavers for both your deck and coping, you can use different patterns between the two to create a defined outline for the pool. Pavers are more expensive than poured concrete, but many homeowners find their durability is well worth it.
Brick
Brick coping is another option for your in-ground pool. These bricks aren’t the kind of bricks that go on the exterior of your home. They actually look a lot like concrete pavers. The main difference is the material and the type of edge brick coping has. Brick coping usually has a rounded edged while pavers have a square edge. Brick coping is slightly more expensive than pavers.
Natural Stone
Natural stone is more expensive than pavers or brick, but it makes for an absolutely beautiful pool coping that’s sure to give your pool a unique look. One kind of natural stone you’ll find used for pool coping is travertine. Travertine is a kind of limestone that is not slippery when wet, and stays cool to the touch so it’s easy on the hands and feet.
Concrete
Concrete coping is the most affordable pool coping option out there. However, as we talked about in a recent blog about pool patios, concrete doesn’t make for good coping in Maryland’s climate. The range in weather we experience inevitably leads to cracks sooner or later, which not only look bad but can threaten the integrity of the pool.
 
To learn more about pool coping and custom pool design in Maryland, contact Rhine Pools today at 410-442-2445.