Coping for kidney shaped pool

[jaymia]

hi everyone
we have an older kidney shaped pool and are doing a renovation. Thus far, we’ve been told coping is possible with all the natural stone paver suspects (marble, limestone, travertine, dolomite), plus concrete, and flagstone. Are there any other practical/viable options for kidney shaped pool coping? For example: we have been told porcelain is not doable on a kidney shaped pool. True? location is miami Florida.

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

You need to use a stone that can be trimmed to fit the pool's curves.

You can really only do straight cuts on porcelain tile.

Show us pictures of your pool shape.

 

[jaymia]

Thanks @ajw22 Here's photo as requested:

 

[ajw22]

It is all about how the coping stones are laid on the bond beam.

Your existing coping is laid in a piano key style and the edges can stay straight. The narrower the stone, the easier it is to fit around curves.

You need to talk to Masons about how they can layout the stones you are considering. They are often creative and have tricks of the trade to make things work.

 

[jaymia]

so if it’s agreed porcelain is not an option, does anyone know of a material I haven’t listed in the first post? For example: is Quartzite an option for a curved pool, or is it the same problematic cutting nature as porcelain ?

 

[ajw22]

You have to consider the stone's shape, the dimensions of each piece, and the amount of cutting needed. More cutting will cost you more.

You have some narrow rectangle pieces that will layout like your existing coping. Then you have square pieces that will be more difficult to get around the curves.