One of the most critical decisions to be made when constructing a swimming pool is choosing the right edging, or coping to surround the pool. Different coping materials lend themselves to certain shapes and styles; in general, one uses flagstone on more curvy free-form shapes.
Brick can look great on either angular or free-form designs. Colored concrete coping stones seem to lend themselves best to more formal geometric designs. It’s important to base your decision not just on aesthetics, but also function. While you may prefer the look in a photo gallery of one style or another, there are many factors that might make one material more appropriate than another for your personal situation.
Who will use the pool, children or adults, the style and color of the masonry veneer on the front of your home, the overall feel of existing hardscape in your backyard and even the color of the stucco finish on your house, are all factors that should be considered.
On first impulse, many buyers tend to drift towards the flagstone, dark bottom lagoon look. It fits the hypothetical ideal of a dreamy, tropical vacation. And it can look absolutely beautiful in your backyard, especially if you follow through with professional landscaping.
But if you have little kids, be careful. Flagstone has a much less forgiving finish, with rougher edges. Your children may end up with scrapes and scratches from sliding into and climbing out of the water, if you choose the wrong type of flagstone coping.
Arizona flagstones are of a softer composition, making them easier to tool the edges, while other types are much harder and denser, rendering them much more difficult to trim smoothly.
A brick pool with gray plaster can look equally tropical, if you pay proper attention to the surrounding landscape. Bullnose brick is a lot softer and smoother, on little folks’ arms, hands, and legs. It’s also a lot nicer to lean back against with your neck when you’re submerged in your spa. And for those of you who have an aversion to the color red, there are many alternate earth-toned colors available.
Colored concrete cantilever coping-stones are rapidly gaining in popularity. Forget the old-fashioned white safety grip coping, the new flat cantilever stones come in a variety of colors and are much less busy than brick.
For more ideas on how to customize your backyard, feel free to call Harry Clay, Designer and President of Castaic Pools Inc. at 661-257-4264 or visit www.castaicpools.com