Poured vs prefab coping

[larrybbaker]

I'm in the process of finalizing a quote for replacement of my entire patio (currently brick - going to poured) and pool deck. Looking for input on poured vs prefab coping.

Pros and Cons, price differences. Long term maintenance concerns etc. This is an old(er) kidney shaped pool @18'x35'.

 

[duraleigh]

Replace the brick if you must.

I'll let others chime in but brick is hard to beat for that application. You are downgrading when you go to concrete. Got a pic?

 

[larrybbaker]

Replace the brick if you must.

I'll let others chime in but brick is hard to beat for that application. You are downgrading when you go to concrete. Got a pic?

I will drop a pic here shortly. To clarify the pool deck is poured/brushed concrete currently. The patio itself is brick. Brick replacement is cost prohibitive for me.

 

[larrybbaker]

Here are pics.

 

[MAPR-Austin]

Is there a driving reason to get rid of the brick vs have it tuckpointed? Not a brick advocate personally but it looks really good here, and matches the house.

The deck ribbon around the pool - make sure you get a contractor who is familiar with doing decks around liner pools. A typical flatwork guy will want to come in and tear it all out and could easily damage plumbing and/or the pool structure.

I don't think prefab is going to be an option regardless, that white coping strip is part of the pool wall in most cases, and I usually see rebar or some kind of reinforcement that ties the pool wall to the deck to keep the walls in place. I have replaced that with a poured coping which is tied into the pool wall with rebar, but I don't know how you would put prefab stones in its place without compromising the integrity of the wall.

 

[larrybbaker]

Is there a driving reason to get rid of the brick vs have it tuckpointed? Not a brick advocate personally but it looks really good here, and matches the house.

The deck ribbon around the pool - make sure you get a contractor who is familiar with doing decks around liner pools. A typical flatwork guy will want to come in and tear it all out and could easily damage plumbing and/or the pool structure.

I don't think prefab is going to be an option regardless, that white coping strip is part of the pool wall in most cases, and I usually see rebar or some kind of reinforcement that ties the pool wall to the deck to keep the walls in place. I have replaced that with a poured coping which is tied into the pool wall with rebar, but I don't know how you would put prefab stones in its place without compromising the integrity of the wall.

Thank you! the picture is probably not giving enough detail of the brick but there are large cracks through it in various places and appears to have had previous patching attempts. If it was not cost prohibitive would have considered new brick installed.

The contractor hired is experienced in new and rehab work with pools and is a friend that I trust.

I am considering the poured coping as the existing white is Foxx proprietary and in this area anyway they do not sell it. I have a quote from them for coping and liner and also from another pool contractor in the area for comparison but think the poured coping looks better and would be less maintenance in the long run.

 

[MAPR-Austin]

You are right on the poured coping being less maintenance.

I would ask them to tool the joints in during the pour, not cut them in the next day. Sounds like you are on the right track. Post progress pictures if you can!

 

[larrybbaker]

Thank you! will definetly discuss that!

Working from home I should be able to document all of it