9 Popular Pool Coping Ideas To Inspire Your Backyard Oasis

In the summertime, what’s a must-have backyard amenity to handle the heat in Florida?

A pool, of course!

When installing an inground pool, you have many factors to consider – location, budget, and optional extras. What many homeowners fail to consider is the pool’s coping. We have some great pool coping ideas for you today!

It’s hard not to see why many people don’t know what pool coping is, let alone why it’s necessary.

Learn everything you need to know about the topic and nine creative pool coping ideas to get you inspired.

What Is Pool Coping?

Coping is the material that separates the swimming pool shell from the surrounding surface area. It is designed to prevent water damage and enhance aesthetics by creating a decorative edge around a pool.

For in-ground swimming pools constructed of concrete, pool coping is necessary. It acts as a safeguard for preventing water from getting behind the shell, so it doesn’t become damaged. It also ensures debris doesn’t get stuck around the pool and into the water.

Pool coping can be tile, brick, stone, cement, composite, and wood. Many homeowners who install pool coping integrate it with their decking, patio area, or overall landscape design. Patriot Landscape Solutions is here to help you with pool coping ideas, our experts can help guide you if needed or make your pool coping ideas come to life.

Styles of Pool Coping

Before considering pool coping materials, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Durability
• Safety
• Heat absorption
• Style

Certain coping styles work better than others. With several styles to choose from, you can find one that blends in with your existing landscape and patio or fits your taste.

The most popular styles of pool coping are:

• Square edge
• Single bullnose
• Rebated square edge

The square edge or the “cantilever” coping uses foam to create a finished edge for concrete to pour over. This type of modern pool coping is flat on both sides and extends several inches from the edge of your job, creating a lip or overhang along the pool’s edge.

Single bullnose refers to a rounded edge finish. You can choose from either the “full bullnose” or “single bullnose” coping in the bullnose style. The rounded shape of the coping style provides many safety benefits and offers a smoother look and texture for your pool.

The rebated square edge or “drop face” pool coping creates a luxurious and modern look due to its bold and thick appearance. It is designed to drop down over the pool’s edge to disguise pool edges, creating a harmonious and practical look and feel.

Homeowners often struggle with pool coping ideas, this is common because it is an often overlooked part of the design.

9 Pool Coping Ideas

Once you have a good idea of the style and shape of your pool coping, it’s time to choose the material and finish. Here are the top nine most popular pool coping materials to inspire you.

1. Poured Concrete

Concrete pool coping comes in two major varieties: poured and precast. Poured concrete is poured in place while precast concrete is cast in the form before being placed in its final position.

Poured concrete is strongly recommended because of its ability to create a seamless edge between a deck and a pool. It is also solid and durable and ideal for homeowners with smaller pools who want them to appear larger.

2. Precast Concrete Pavers

Pavers are often used in coping for pools because of their durability, chlorine and salt resistance, and ability to tackle the elements.  They’re also slip-resistant and comfortable under bare feet.

The three main paver materials are natural stone, brick, and concrete. The latter is the most popular choice as they are entirely customizable, have a long life expectancy, and are relatively low maintenance. The only maintenance they need is regular rinsing with a garden hose and pulling the odd weed or two out. Pool coping ideas often include precast concrete pavers.

Cantilevered pool coping is a more affordable option than some natural stone coping. Since it is cantilevered, it creates an overhang around the pool’s edge. This reduces the chance of injury and creates a seamless transition from patio to pool.

3. Travertine/Natural Stone

Travertine pool copings are among the finest choices in the market for their unique look and excellent heat-resistant properties. Even when exposed to the sun, travertine pool coping will feel cool to the touch.

It is also one of the safest options because of the way it grips your foot due to its naturally porous texture. Travertine carries an aesthetic appeal that concrete doesn’t, allowing you to match various colors to create a customized look around your pool.

Travertine pool coping is also easy on your wallet. It is cheaper than marble and granite without compromising function and aesthetic appeal. Pool coping ideas that include travertine or natural stone are often some of the most popular because of their unique look.

4. Brick

Installing brick pool coping is a tradition as old as time. Brick pavers not only look great around your swimming pool, but they are highly durable and available in many colors and varieties. Brick will not fade or diminish over time and is easy to maintain.

Bricks offer a naturally slip-resistant surface and are a cheaper alternative suited to larger paving areas. Brick is a good traditional option for many pool coping ideas for a good design.

5. Granite

Granite stone is an excellent and durable solution for pool coping, thanks to its longevity and little to no maintenance requirements. Granite can blend in with any surroundings and is one of the most attractive natural stone pavers.

Aesthetics and durability aren’t the only benefits of granite. Granite tiles improve the overall safety of the area due to their rough surface, which makes them highly slip-resistant. Even when wet, granite tiles will not create a safety hazard around the pool area.

Granite tiles are a great option if you’re looking to add a touch of luxury to your outdoor space. Pool coping ideas that include granite in the Panhandle are very popular.

6. Quartzite

Quartzite is a hard and durable material that looks similar to marble but is entirely different. While both are metamorphic rocks, quartzite is made primarily of quartz, whereas marble is composed of calcite. With earthy, light colors, quartzite gives off a summery feel that can lighten any outdoor space.

The quartzite properties make it ideal for use as paving stones as it is dense, durable, and provides a non-slip option for your pool coping pavers. For those looking for something to fit into a naturally designed space, quartzite pool coping is an excellent material to use.

7. Marble

Marble is a luxurious material that adds a touch of elegance to nearly every outdoor space. No matter how big or small your pool is, marble copings will enhance its beauty while having a fabulous smooth texture to walk or sit on.

Marble is also naturally resistant to bacteria and other harmful elements. As with most pool coping materials, marble comes in different types and sizes.

Single bullnose marble coping is ideal for unique-shaped swimming pools with many rounded curves. On the other hand, tumbled marble copings are great for rectangular and straight-edged pools and can also be used for the steps of the pool or deck.

8. Limestone

While it might not be the first material that comes to mind, limestone coping for pools is a great option. Limestone is non-slip, even when wet, and doesn’t get scorching hot in the sun. It is also resistant to mold and bacteria, making it the ideal option to use around the pool.

If properly sealed and maintained, limestone pool coping will last a lifetime. Since limestone is a natural stone, there are fewer choices of colors, but they do come in white, gray, beige, silver, and black – which is more than enough to choose from!

As for sustainability, limestone gets a big tick of approval. Its natural insulation properties make it a big winner compared to other pool coping materials. Limestone is included in a lot of pool coping ideas.

9. Sandstone

Sandstone is a very popular choice for pool coping and is as functional as it is decorative. Sandstone is a weather-resistant and eco-friendly material designed for strength, durability, and slip resistance.

Sandstone has a natural, earthly-looking color and texture and adds an aesthetically pleasing element to any outdoor space. They require little maintenance; simply rinse the pavers from time to time to ensure they last for as long as possible. Sandstone is a great natural-looking option for many pool coping ideas.

Patriot Landscape Solutions: Design Services in Florida

Patriot Landscape Solutions is a locally owned and operated landscape company in the Florida Panhandle. We offer a wide range of services that extend beyond pool coping to other facets of your outdoor space. Our goal is to help you, the client, create a space that evokes a wonderful, timeless paradise.

Our services include:

• Landscape design
• Paver patio
• Outdoor kitchens
• Outdoor fireplaces
• Outdoor lighting
• Pavillions
• Retaining walls
• Fire pits
• Putting green
• Artificial turf
• Pool coping
• Walkways
• Driveways

As Floridians, we know how much time you spend outside. That’s why our services are designed to ensure your outdoor time is spent in comfort and luxury, just the way you envisioned it.

Up Your Backyard Wow Factor With Pool Coping

Have these pool coping ideas inspired you to enhance your backyard oasis?

If so, it’s time to give Patriot Landscape Solutions a call. We offer a full collection of pool copings, caps, and treads in various colors and materials. As a full-service landscape design company, we know what it takes to achieve a beautiful and timeless environment for our clients.

If you live in the Florida Panhandle, it’s time to transform your backyard into an oasis. Are you ready to install pool coping?

Get in touch with us to request a free estimate.