A pool resurfacing company in dallas says, having a pool at home is excellent for so many reasons; it can help to reduce stress, it promotes exercise, and it’s something the entire family can enjoy.
And, while having an above ground pool is undoubtedly cheaper, putting in an in-ground pool makes your home more beautiful and adds value should you ever decide to sell it down the road.
So, if you’ve decided on putting an in-ground pool in your backyard, you’ll have to consider what kind of coping you’ll choose to go with it.
Pool Coping, What Is It?
Think of pool coping as being similar to the edging around your garden, except for your pool. The coping helps to blend the deck with the pool seamlessly and provides a nice cap for the pool liner’s edge. For in-ground pools, you have to use a coping material because it protects both the deck and your pool. And, while the coping itself is functional, there’s no reason you can’t choose something that has flair and will add beauty to your pool and backyard.
Options For Coping
Since you’ll have to have coping for your in-ground pool, you’ll need to decide what material to use, and fortunately, there’s quite a variety of materials to choose from. Choosing the appropriate material and color will make your pool look more attractive and can really bring together your entire backyard look.
So, when choosing pool coping, you can decide between color, the durability of the material, how easy it is to maintain, and the price. The good news is that you can find a material that will fit virtually any budget and will meet all of your needs.
So, let’s take a look at the different materials you can choose from.
Concrete
Concrete is the material of choice for most people because it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to install and how easily it blends the deck with the pool. Today’s concrete coping can be poured in such a way that the pool and deck look like one solid piece, which makes for a striking look.
Another advantage to concrete is that there are no rough or sharp edges or joints; this is a big deal if you have kids who like to run around the pool because it’s much safer for them.
However, concrete is not without its negatives, the first being that concrete will fade as it ages, which is something to consider when you’re looking at some of the fantastic colors you can get with concrete. Remember that in ten or fifteen years, that deep, rich color may seem drab and ugly. Many experts recommend applying a sealer to the concrete, which should help it maintain its looks for longer.
Stone
If you want a truly stunning look to your pool, then try natural stone pool coping. Granite, limestone, and slate are all very popular materials because they’re very durable and look fantastic. Natural stone is said to last much longer than any other material other than metal.
However, the major negative for stone is the price. You’re going to pay much more per linear foot for stone than you would for brick, but keep in mind that with the extra expense comes added durability. If you take good care of your stone, it should last for as long as you own your pool.
Brick
Another good choice for your pool coping is brick. Brick is popular because it comes in a wide range of colors and styles and shapes, and you can create virtually any look you want with brick, from traditional to modern, and anything in between.
The most significant advantages to brick are that the colors won’t fade, and repairs are easy. Disadvantages to brick are that most brick surfaces are rough, which can be tough on children’s feet. Also, brick holds heat, which makes them pretty hot to walk on when the sun’s pouring on the heat.
Aluminum
Aluminum is found in a lot of older pools mainly because it was so readily available, it’s easy to work with, and it’s relatively inexpensive. A big advantage to aluminum is that it can be painted and repainted to any color you like. This is a nice feature for when you want to change up your backyard decor and want a ‘new’ pool without actually getting a new pool.
The downside to aluminum is that it doesn’t have near the style that comes with brick or stones and some would say that aluminum is too plain and boring. But, it will last a long time, which makes it not a bad material to choose if you’re looking for something that is going to hold up for years.
How To Maintain Pool Coping
Once you’ve decided on which material you want to use for your pool coping, and have it installed, you want to make sure that you keep it looking its best by maintaining it.
By staying on top of maintenance chores, you can ensure that your pool coping will last as long as possible, which means your pool will be seen as a valuable asset should you decide to sell your home in the future.
If you’ve chosen concrete, stone or brick, you might want to consider adding a sealer. Sealing the material helps to lock out stains and ensures that the color will resist fading. Most pool deck resurfacing experts say that when you’re adding a sealer, choose one that’s breathable because it resists cracking.
You’ll also want to be sure to clean the coping regularly using pressure washing it a few times a year, and keeping it free from leaves in the fall.
Also, if you’ve chosen stone, concrete or brick, you want to be sure to look for cracks on a regular basis too. Make sure you fix any small cracks right away because once they get bigger, they become much tougher and much more expensive to fix.