Pool Coping: Finding the Perfect “Frame” for Your Inground Pool

If you’re planning on moving forward with inground pool installation, you know there are a lot of decisions to make. Concrete or fiberglass? Rectangular or freeform? Big, medium, or small? But once you’ve made the big decisions, including which contractor to hire, you’ll need to decide on the finishing touches, such as a concrete pool finish and the coping you want to frame your inground pool.

What Is Pool Coping?

Pool coping is the name given to the protective and decorative edge, or frame, around an inground pool. Both custom concrete pools and fiberglass pools need it. Coping separates the pool from the surrounding pool decking. This framing holds significance as its purpose is to prevent water from getting behind the pool shell.

You’ve seen pool coping, but maybe you didn’t know what it was called. It can be a beautiful finishing touch for your inground pool, depending on the materials and style you choose.

Pool Coping Ideas

The shape and style of your pool may dictate the pool coping you choose. Your design team can show you samples of pool coping and portfolio pictures and detail the pros and cons of each material and style. Some of your options include:

• Concrete Coping
• Travertine Coping
• Bluestone Coping
• Paver Coping
• Bullnose Coping
• Modern Coping

Concrete Coping

Poured concrete pool coping is the style that’s been around the longest. Public pools and older pools may have plain grey concrete coping. Poured concrete options today incorporate a little more pizzazz, such as a cantilevered edge, stamped concrete, or stained concrete.

Travertine Coping

Travertine is a lovely natural stone used for pool coping and decking. Smaller slabs are used for the coping, while larger slabs are used for the surrounding pool area and patio. Natural stone coping and patios give your inground pool area a luxurious resort-like feel.

Bluestone Coping

Bluestone coping is another option. It gives a natural but sleek and modern look to this Hamptons-style pool.

Related Reading: Hamptons-Style Retreat: A Case Study

Paver Coping

Pool coping using concrete pavers is a great option for any inground pool but works especially well with freeform pools with curves. The pavers should coordinate with the pool decking, but by placing them in a pattern that contrasts with the area around the pool, you get a nice framing effect.

Bullnose Coping

Bullnose coping refers to the style of the edge rather than the material. Your kitchen countertop may have a bullnose edge. It’s a rounded edge that can be achieved with the use of paver coping or stone coping.

Modern Coping

Modern coping is usually a straight edge with sleek lines. This style is more common with rectangular pools using stone coping.

Which materials and style you choose will depend on your pool design and your aesthetics. Your design team can help you decide.

Make It Exceptional. Make It Woodfield.

Don’t overlook the finishing touches if you’re dreaming of creating a pool paradise in your backyard. Finding the perfect frame for your inground pool can make it really stand out. You deserve an exceptional experience from pool design to pool installation all the way through decades of pool parties. That’s what we deliver.

From the moment you walk into our design showroom to the day you open the pool, a team of dedicated professionals is working to ensure you get the pool paradise of your dreams.  We serve homeowners throughout the Baltimore area, including Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Harford County, and Howard County. Schedule a call today.