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Five Most Popular Types of In-Ground Pool Coping

If you’ve stumbled upon this article that means you’ve been researching pools. Exciting! As you’ve been able to see, there are multiple different options for pools, designs, equipment, and chemicals… pool coping is no exception! There is a lot to consider when looking at pool coping: aesthetics, durability, longevity, slip-resistance, etc. You may be surprised to hear that concrete and pavers aren’t the only type of pool coping available. In this article we’re going to break down the five most popular types of pool coping, and weigh the pros and cons of each. 

 

What Is Pool Coping?

Pool coping is the section of space connected to the border of your pool that separates it from the surrounding patio or landscaping. Coping serves both an aesthetic and protective purpose. Not only does coping add another level of visual flair to your pool/patio design, it also helps protect the pool shell from damage from groundwater and land subsidence. They are a necessity for all in-ground pools.

At Royal Pools G2 Outdoor Designs, we have helped design and install hundreds of unique pools with different types of coping, and we have narrowed down a list of the most popular types that we love to install. The five most popular types of in-ground pool coping are as follows:

  • Paver Coping
  • Brick Coping
  • Natural Stone Coping
  • Concrete Coping
  • Aluminum Coping

Pavers

picture of pavers by pool coping

Let’s start off with an ole reliable. Pavers offer a classic look for your pool coping that can be hard to beat for some people. Pavers can even come in different colors and styles allowing you to match the aesthetic to your home or outdoor living space. Pavers are typically round edged or square edged, maintaining the iconic look so many people love.

Pavers can come in the form of clay, basalt, granite, flagstone, limestone, and even in brick and concrete form. 

Pros:

  • Uniform colors upon install.
  • Quality control on site.
  • Easy to install.

Cons:

  • More options.
  • Not customizeable.
  • Limited color options. 
  • Weeds can grow between pavers.
  • More expensive than concrete.

 

Brick

picture of brick paving around a pool

Aesthetically similar to pavers, brick coping offers a classy clean look that is typically cheaper than pavers. Brick coping usually comes in red or maroon colors, and is best matched with a brick home.

One of the best things about brick coping is that they’re chlorine and heat resistant, which makes them highly durable and long-lasting.

Pros:

  • Aestheticsally pleasing.
  • Variety of options.

Cons:

  • Dry rot of adhesive leading to brick deterioration.
  • Can crumble over time.
  • Improper mortar. 
  • More expensive.

 

Natural stone

a picture of natural stone coping around a pool

Natural stone coping is popular for it’s modern and minimalist look that is perfect around any pool in just about any backyard!

Natural stone can be made from a wide variety of different materials including granite, limestone, travertine, slate, marble, etc. This also allows for a large selection of colors and designs to choose from. Natural stone coping is primarily beveled edged or bull-nosed, two processes that round the edges of the stone to make it safer for swimmers. The porous nature of the natural stone makes it slip-resistant as well.

Pros:

  • Variety of color options.
  • Variety of material options.
  • Highly durable. 
  • Slip-resistant.

Cons:

  • More expensive than other coping types.
  • Prone to staining.

 

Concrete

a picture of concrete coping around the pool

Concrete is one of the most popular types of pool coping, and a favorite of ours here at RPG2. Concrete pool coping can be poured, formed, and cured on site, or it can be precast before installation. There are many pros and cons to concrete you should be aware of, including:

Pros:

  • Different styles. Brushed concrete, stamped concrete, etc.
  • Highly durable.
  • Less expensive than other coping options.
  • Can be designed to look like more exotic materials.

Cons:

  • Will crack over time. 
  • Slippery.
  • Color fading.
  • High costs for repairs and replacements.

Concrete will always be popular, but it’s not a perfect product. Poolowners hate cracks, and for good reason, its a cosmetic blemish that is very difficult, oftentimes impossible, to fix. Cracking is a natural occurance in concrete. If you can live with eventual cracks, the benefits of concrete coping should outweigh small cracks.

 

Aluminum

a picture of Aluminum coping around a pool

If you’ve ever swam in a community or hotel pool, you’ve probably swam in a pool with aluminum pool coping. Aluminum pool coping is a standard type of coping that is lightweight and resistant to corrosion. 

Aluminum coping has become less popular over the years, with many poolowners opting for the more robust nature and aesthetically pleasing looks of concrete and natural stone coping. 

Aluminum coping pros and cons would include:

Pros:

  • Easy to install.
  • Low maintenance.
  • Lightweight.
  • Cost-effective over time.

Cons:

  • Bland aesthetics.
  • Lightweight nature makes it less durable.
  • Not customizable.
  • Only for vinyl liner pools.

 

 

Final Thoughts

As with any big project, a pool also requires a lot of important decisions. In the case of pool coping, for some customers it may come down to price, for other customers it may be a simple aesthetic decision.

Weigh your options! Do your research. It has only just begun. We at RPG2 are advocates for concrete, but we understand that it is not the right choice for everyone. With this article, we wanted to ensure that our client base has a better idea of their options. 

If you want to read more about concrete pool decks or patio pavers, check out these articles below.

Top 4 Design Choices for Stamped Concrete in 2024

Top 6 Landscaping Paver Patterns to Consider in 2024

How to Properly Pour Concrete Around an Inground Swimming Pool