Our travertine for our coping came in and our PB just now realized it can't be used on a free form pool!!!

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T

TXPfamily

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May 11, 2021
18
Pflugerville, TX
I literally just came back from outside with our PB and the masonry guys. Our PB apologized about not realizing that the travertine coping would not take a smooth shape on our freeform pool. I watched them cut several pieces and try to piece them together but the closest they came is a very geometrical shape with a HUGE hang over in certain areas.

I had originally decided to do the upgrade to travertine since our pool will be salt water and I have heard that in the long run, it would have the longest life. And now that travertine is not an option, I'm clueless! I have a list of 5 different stone places to go select new coping and have the slightest clue as what to look for.

I would GREATLY appreciate your feedback PLEASE!!
Our Texas pool is saltwater and free form with spa. I want to stay away from darker colors and would want something that I won't have to worry about replacing anytime soon.
Also, this was clearly an error on our PB so he said we won't be charged an upgrade fee as long as we don't choose Marble...

Advise, Ideas, anything at this point will help me!!

****Updating with pics of what was presented to me with the travertine that we selected as coping. I tried to get a pic of the entire pool as well to show how "curvy" it is which was the major concern for the masonry guy in order to get a "clean flush" finish.digital.jpg
 

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If you stick with stone coping, you want a hard, silicate based stone material NOT LIMESTONE OR SANDSTONE.
 
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I don't know nearly as much about pools as JoyfulNoise, but we have travertine in our new freeform Houston, TX pool and only got it since some of my friends have it for 10+ years with no issues at all. Many pools built by our PB used travertine for coping and I haven't heard of any issues with installation on freeform pools. I'm attaching a pic of our pool and coping.

I'm not sure what you mean by they aren't able to cut the stone to fit the freeform pool. Can you share some pictures so we can see what shape you have and assist better?
 

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Our free form pool under construction has travertine coping (see my build thread for pics) Our tile/coping guys are very skilled.

Perhaps the quality of the travertine you choose is lower than average. We originally chose a different travertine but it ended up being low quality and would break if you simply dropped a piece on grass.

Many travertine colors are very difficult to find in stock now.
 
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JoyfulNoise said:
Good mistake to have, travertine is terrible for coping as it is a soft limestone that can easily be etched by acids or aggressive water (it's fine for decking). If you're set on stone, then look towards hard bluestones and stay away from Texas flagstone as it tends to be very weak like travertine. You could also do poured-in-place cement coping or use precast cement coping (better choice, more color options) but it does typically require a custom order to be placed with the exact layout dimensions of the pool so that the precasts can be properly constructed.

Basically you want a hard, silicate based stone material NOT LIMESTONE OR SANDSTONE. ... Or, choose Marble and pay the difference.
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I guess it IS a good mistake then. What was I thinking that made me believe travertine was a hardy stone for coping? (palm to the head)
Thank you for your feedback on "No limestone or sandstone". I'm making notes on "keywords" since I have no idea what I'm talking about regarding options and their pros/cons.
 
travelfeedsthesoul said:
I don't know nearly as much about pools as JoyfulNoise, but we have travertine in our new freeform Houston, TX pool and only got it since some of my friends have it for 10+ years with no issues at all. My pools built by our PB used travertine for coping and I haven't heard of any issues with installation on freeform pools. I'm attaching a pic of our pool and coping.

I'm not sure what you mean by they aren't able to cut the stone to fit the freeform pool. Can you share some pictures so we can see what shape you have and assist better?
Click to expand...
I just added some pics. I guess our pool has a lot of curves and the masonry guy said it wouldn't be a clean flush look.
 
It took our mason a LONG time to measure, cut, layout, and then smooth our coping (not complaining - I appreciate the attention to detail)

From the picture it looks like the issue is with measurements, not the material, but I could be wrong. What material did the PB suggest could work?
 
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.ben said:
It took our mason a LONG time to measure, cut, layout, and then smooth our coping (not complaining - I appreciate the attention to detail)

From the picture it looks like the issue is with measurements, not the material, but I could be wrong. What material did the PB suggest could work?
Click to expand...

You got that right. They need to know their geometry and plan it out. My coping is 2 1/4 inches thick and is bull-nosed on both sides. Shockingly, the mason didn't make any mistakes. I bought only1 extra piece and still have it.
 
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It’s too bad the cuts look bad because the quality of the travertine looks good—two inch thick pieces too.

I kept some of the cut pieces of coping and experimented staining and then using nail polish remover which I’d read could be used to clean. Poured acetone made no difference in appearance so it felt pretty indestructible.

That being said I only use water and a cloth to clean the coping. I don’t use any chemicals on it.
 
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Travertine was our first choice but it was in short supply at the time. I had briefly looked at quartzite coping which is considered flagstone/sandstone but seemed more durable based on what I could find online but there wasn’t as much info and I did not know if it would stay cool like travertine etc…
 
I am in NorCal as well. I can tell you that you can sit, lay, or put any skin you want on the travertine without hearing the tell-tale sizzle of frying skin during the summer. Sometimes I will forget and walk out front onto the driveway... that's an eye opener.
 

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