coping material

[Chungus]

We are getting a rectangular 18x40 built. We were originally thinking travertine coping but saw a pool with flagstone coping and it looked nice. Now we are undecided. Builder says he likes flagstone as it is not as slick for the kiddos but that it does need to be rerouted every 3-4 years at a cost of $400 vs travertine being maintenance free. Thoughts?

We are also having a fire pit being built by the pool out of the flagstone so it would match but the travertine colors could match pretty close as well.

 

[ajw22]

 

[bmoreswim]

Needing to regrout flagstone coping every 4 years in Texas (or pretty much anywhere) is untrue to be nice and nonsense if I’m being more contrary. The only issue with flagstone (potentially) in your region is getting stone that is prone to flaking. OK flagstone, which is common in that area, is not the hardest of stones and some can flake. We see a very small percentage of such pools where it does flake and some stones need replacing. It’s just the nature of the stone (and has nothing to do with salt in case your PB goes down that road). And has nothing to do with replacing grout, except to replace errant stones.

 

[pudisgreat]

Needing to regrout flagstone coping every 4 years in Texas (or pretty much anywhere) is untrue to be nice and nonsense if I’m being more contrary. The only issue with flagstone (potentially) in your region is getting stone that is prone to flaking. OK flagstone, which is common in that area, is not the hardest of stones and some can flake. We see a very small percentage of such pools where it does flake and some stones need replacing. It’s just the nature of the stone (and has nothing to do with salt in case your PB goes down that road). And has nothing to do with replacing grout, except to replace errant stones.

I love the look of flagstone. I live in NC and am getting ready to sign papers on a contract. I'm worried that flagstone is a lot hotter on your feet than travertine. I'm not looking for it to be full on cold, I just don't want my feet to burn. I've had stone in other areas of my yard and the grout seems to break up a bit, but I think that is more due to tree roots. Do you do anything other than spray weeds if they appear?

 

[bmoreswim]

It will be hot. It just is. Hot but pretty. Much hotter than travertine I'm sure, which is the coolest of stones that I know of. Our deck is concrete, so no weeds. Just the coping is bluestone which has no weeds or there are bigger issues. Our other large hardscape is pavers with polymeric sand (not near the pool). The sand lasted 10 years and I'm re-sanding now. But yes, for that, I'd just spray weed killer the last few years as weeds appeared.