Pool Coping: The Unsung Hero of Your Backyard Oasis

Having a swimming pool during those hot months is a blessing. Whether the aim is entertainment, relaxation, bonding with friends, or everything in between, the pool is a house feature that everyone truly enjoys. On top of that, if you can add some fountains, a patio, and good landscaping around it, you are definitely in heaven. But you want to make sure the pool’s beauty is supported by strong safety features as well. Non-slippery areas around the pool, a safety fence, and underwater steps are just a few of the default pool features you should have installed.

However, when talking about a privately-owned swimming pool, there is one area where people spend a lot of their time—at the edge of the swimming pool. Whether they are leaning on it, sitting on it, or constantly going in and out of the water, the pool edge—also known as pool coping—is something that should not be disregarded.

What is Pool Coping?

Pool coping is a highly important piece of every swimming pool. Acting as a protective cap, it is a decorative piece that also provides a comfortable place at the pool’s edge. Every in-ground concrete swimming pool needs coping to surround the pool shell and protect it.

Why does pool coping matter?

The main purpose of pool coping is to deliver a finished edge around your pool, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes. It prevents water from leaking into the ground, causing damage to the pool’s surrounding area. Furthermore, coping helps improve pool safety by providing a non-slip surface and acting as a barrier between the patio or deck and the pool water.

Different types of pool coping materials

There are several types of concrete pool coping available, each bringing little different benefits and characteristics:

Poured concrete: Durable and versatile popular option, easy to maintain, and affordable. It can form a range of designs and shapes.

Brick: Traditional option with a classic look, that is durable and easily reparable.

Stone: High-end durable option that has a natural and luxurious look that is slip-resistant.

Precast concrete: Cost-effective, customizable durable option that can be shaped into various designs and shapes.

Cantilevered concrete: Coping that is poured and molded to the pool deck, eliminating the need for expansion joints.

Metal coping: Durable modern look with low maintenance.

Vinyl liner coping: Made of aluminium or plastic, it is designed particularly for above-ground pools with vinyl liners.

Enhancing your pool with creative coping

Some of the ways you can enhance your concrete pool coping include:

Material Upgrade: The material has a big impact on the surrounding pool area, don’t immediately settle for the concrete. Instead, check how brick, natural stone, or wood would like.

Adding lighting: This will create a more inviting atmosphere, especially for outdoor gatherings and evening swimming sessions.

Incorporating water features: Waterfalls or fountains are always great enhancers of the overall pool area.

Adding seating: Nothing wrong with adding some seating into your pool coping, so there is extra functional and yet comfortable space for relaxing.

Maintenance and care tips

When it comes to maintenance, you have to perform regular cleaning to remove any stains, dirt, or algae growth. However, only mild detergents should be used, as harsh chemicals can damage the pool coping and cause discoloration. One additional thing to remember is to check for any signs of damage whenever you clean it. Pool coping repair should be your priority upon first notice, as waiting can prove detrimental.

Choosing the right pool coping for your backyard

As you know it’s not only for aesthetics, but has a protective purpose as well, choosing the right one for you can be an important decision. A few information pieces can help you to make up your mind:

Material: Has an impact on durability, maintenance requirements, as well as overall appearance.

Style: Go for a style that will complement the pool design and surrounding landscape.

Colour: As this can be a challenging task, look for a complementary color with the pool tiles and landscape.

Texture: This is another essential factor when considering safety reasons. A slip-resistant texture should be your go-to option.

Maintenance: As you do not want to serve your backyard forever, find some materials that require less maintenance than others.

Budget: One big role when it comes to making the final decision. As some materials can do more than others, set your final budget before the start, and aim to stick with it.

Hiring a professional for pool coping installation

Coping plays a vital role in the pool’s look, durability, as well as safety. Once you have the right material, you want to aim for proper installation and maintenance. This will be the key to ensuring the beauty and longevity of the pool. So, aim to skip doing this by yourself and hire professionals like Pool Renovation NJ to do it for you. After all, you don’t want random safety hazards in the middle of the summer.