If you’re installing or repairing a pool in your Irvine home, you’ll be expected to make numerous structure and design decisions. One of those elements is pool coping, a stone or concrete material used to cap the shell wall of your pool. Not only is coping a structural necessity, but it’s also a decorative accent that provides a seamless look between the pool and the deck. There’s a wide range of pool coping design options available that will suit your style preferences as well as your practical needs. We’ve created your guide to pool coping options and how to choose the best one for your home.

What is pool coping?

Pool coping is essentially the border between your pool and your deck. Although generally an unnoticed element of an inground pool, it’s a necessary one. Without coping, you would have exposed steel on the upper surface of the pool wall, which would be as unsightly as it would be dangerous. It has additional functionality beyond this, such as keeping debris like leaves and dirt from entering the pool. It also blocks water from seeping into the area behind the pool wall and causing damage. Certain materials can provide further practical advantages such as stain resistance, slip resistance, and heat resistance.

What are my options?

Here at So Cal Pool Plaster, we use global stone distributor MSI International to provide a full collection of copings for you to choose from. Their Arterra Porcelain Copings collection has the look and feel of authentic natural stone, cement, and wood in a range of complementary neutral tones. This material is low-maintenance and stain resistant, and it remains comfortable to walk on even in hot temperatures. There is also a selection of natural stone copings, such as travertine, granite, quartzite, and limestone. Each collection comes in an assortment of shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can find an option that best fits you and your home.

Which choice is best for me?

There are several things to consider when choosing a pool coping material to ensure that you receive a finished pool that is beautiful and entirely suited to your family’s needs.

• Affordability – Make sure that you choose a material that is well within your budget. It’s also important to look into the level of maintenance required for each material, and whether that level is something that you are willing and able to maintain.
• Durability & Design – Consider the amount of abuse that your coping will need to withstand. Do you live in an area that receives extreme weather, such as heavy snow? Speak to your contractor about choosing a material that will be able to withstand such conditions. Will you have a chlorine or salt water pool? Make sure that the material you choose can withstand pool chemicals or high salt content, if necessary. Finally, choose a material that will complement not only your deck but also your pool tiling and landscaping to achieve a cohesive look.
• Safety – Do you have small children who may run or be unsteady at the pool’s edge? Choose one of our slip-resistant options. Are those children likely to make a mess in your backyard? Stain resistant materials are also available. Do you live in a particularly hot climate? Many materials absorb heat and stay cool in even the hottest temperatures. At So Cal Pool Plaster, there’s no need to sacrifice style for practicality, as we have many options that are practical but can fit the aesthetic you dreamt of.

There are many things to consider when choosing your pool coping, and there’s a design option to suit every Irvine home. At So Cal Pool Plaster, we’ll work diligently to make the process as easy as possible with quick installation and unparalleled customer service. For a free estimate, or to discuss your options, call us at (714) 617-8182 today.