Just about every in-ground swimming pool has coping stones around the edge. Over the years they deteriorate and need replacing. This article will tell you what your options are for replacing them.
Until recently all Swimming pool coping stones were sourced from UK manufacturers but now a nice range of Mediterranean style copings are available in the UK. The traditional UK made coping stone comes in 2 foot lengths and are either 9 inches or 12 inches wide. There are two stlyes and two colours available. The two stlyes are called “bullnose” and “flat top”. Bullnose have a built in backward slope and flat top do not. The colour choices are White or Buff. The most popular choice by far is White Bulnose.
 Flat top coping stone |
 Bullnose Coping Stone with backward slope |
 Traditional White Bullnose Pool Coping |
As well as the standard straight coping you can also get what are known as “specials”. These are the corner stones for internal or external corners and “radius” copings for going around roman ends (as shown in the image above).
Mediterranean styling
The traditional copings always stand out from the paving surround and many people like the way they define the edge of the pool but others prefer the copings to match the surrounding paving. This matching style is typically Mediterranean and now there is available in the UK a Spanish pool coping that is not only great looking as a stand alone coping but comes with matching paving slabs if you want them.
The Sahara coping has the built in back slope while the Ardoise coping is a flat top. Ardoise has a riven finish while the Sahara is smooth.
 Ardoise Coping Stone – Flat topped with riven finish and 330mm wide |
 Sahara Coping – back sloping, smooth and 270mm or 330mm wide |
Prices
Surprisingly these Mediterranean swimming pool coping stones are not more expensive than their UK counterparts. Below are the prices for a 12ft x 24ft rectangular pool for comparison.
| Traditional 9 inch | £1,016 .00 |
| Traditional 12 inch | £1,178.00 |
| Sahara 270mm | £838.00 |
| Sahara 330mm | £902.00 |
| Ardoise 330mm | £1,124.00 |
For more information on the coping stones and matching paving slabs featured here follow the links below
Click here for Traditional Swimming Pool Coping Stones
Click here for the Sahara Range of Swimming Pool Coping Stones
Click here for the Ardoise Range of Swimming Pool Coping Stones