If your dream home includes a swimming pool in the yard, you are not alone. In 2015, about 920,000 homes in Australia have swimming pools. Three years later, pool ownership greatly increased in the country. From 12% to 13%, homes with pools totalled almost 2.7 million. In the same year, about 19% of Perth residents have a pool in their property.
It is easy to see why these residents opted to have a swimming pool built in their yard. For one, they help increase the appeal of the property and even its value in many cases. Several households in the city, as well as in other parts of Australia, would hold regular parties. Pools serve as an entertainment source for the guests.
Also, let us not forget that Perth can have intense summers. Therefore, homeowners found it enticing to have a pool installed. After all, pools provide a quick and enjoyable way to cool down during hot days in the city. There is no need to go to a public pool to take a dip in the water.
What is Seamless Pool Edging?
As a homeowner, adding a pool to your property comes with a large price tag. It would be a shame if you do not see the value, as well as the elements around it. The actual landscaping and pool surrounds are indispensable, just like the pool itself.
It is why you should treat it as the heart of your yard. The best way for you to show that the pool is the centrepiece of the outdoor space is to frame it with a seamless pool edge.
Whether or not you own a pool right now, you have already sat on the edge of a pool, with your toes would dangle in the water as you sit. This part of the pool is the edge that other people also call coping. This particular cap on the rim is also where you hold on to when you swim or even as you come up for air while spending some time under the water.
Why is the Pool Edging Important?
The pool edge may look like a natural part of the swimming pool without any purpose, it is an important section of the swimming pool. It provides a visual definition, making the pool look more appealing. At the same time, it also hides the underlying substrate. This way, no one would see the unsightly material that can make the pool look a little less attractive.
The edging also has a practical function. Without it, you will not have a separator between the pool water and the adjoining surfaces. This part of the pool is incredibly important because it serves as protection for the overall structure of the pool.
As well as the reasons mentioned above, another vital reason for pool edging are the safety benefits. Swimming pools are not exactly the safest place, especially for kids and elderly people. To make them safer for everyone, edging was added. It is a safety feature that allows you to walk around the pool without worrying about slips and accidents.
Why Should You Choose the Seamless Pool Edge System?
You can already tell that coping is an integral part of the pool. It is why you should give it the attention and care it deserves. Designing an in-ground pool involves many considerations. However, it should not just be about the appearance, the shape, and size but also the surrounding elements, including the edging.
When you have a swimming pool in your yard, you know it will be the focal point of the outdoor space. How the surrounding area looks around the pool is as important as the pool itself. Fencing may be a good option for some people, but it does obstruct the view as you swim. Also, it is not ideal when you entertain your friends.
Bricks are also a popular choice among many homes in Perth. However, homeowners have complained about how the materials can shift as time passes. Other materials can become slippery when wet, which can give you a headache, especially if you have young children around.
A modern method is to go for seamless pool edging, which is a solution that will not break the bank. It is also aesthetically pleasing, unlike other options that usually do not go well with the landscape. A seamless pool edge system does not need bullnose pavers and will not show any gaps that can make the edging a bit unappealing.
Seamless pool edging or pool coping involves the use of a continuous pouring method for concrete. As a result, you get a seamless finish, as the name suggests. Ultimately, you have a pool edge system that delivers a fluid and smooth concrete look for your swimming pool in Perth.
A huge benefit is that it does not need too much effort on your part when it comes to its maintenance needs. It can go without treatment or servicing for about a year.
It does not matter whether you have a pool that is curved, square, or even rectangular. If you have a custom shaped pool, you know it deserves to look its best. With seamless pool edging, you get a smooth and sleek edging that looks both classy and modern. It can be applied for concrete pools and there is no need for headers and bullnose capping.
If you are not a fan of segmented pavers or headers, you can opt for the beautifully flowing edge that does not have subsidence. It wraps around the whole pool, making it look seamless indeed. It is why there is no wonder that this new style of concreting for pools is such a huge hit in Australia, particularly in Perth.
The surrounding area of the pool does not just look amazing but is safer as well. Compared to brick paving headers, you do not have to be concerned with sunken pavers, ants, and weeds popping out of the material.
Finally, you can choose from different colours so you do not have to be stuck with a boring hue. Also, there are a ton of decorative finishes that can even match your existing landscape. Since it is seamless, there is no need for cutting to suit the shape of the pool, especially the curved ones.
With all these benefits, you get an excellent option that enhances the visual appeal of your pool area. Best of all, it is an affordable solution that lasts for many years, making a seamless pool edging a smart investment.
Top Options for Pool Edging
Seamless pool edging is hard-wearing and gives a perfectly level and curved pool surround. You can pick from a variety of options that can help customise the look of your pool area. This way, you do not have to settle with the same look as your neighbour.
Different methods lead to achieving a seamless look. Pool coping can be made of different materials, including brick, stone, composite, tile, and cement. During installation, it can be designed to be a part of your pool, landscape, and even your deck and patio.
The coping material and finish that you choose will depend mostly on your preferences. However, you may want to consider the pool area as well. Let us take a look at the most common pool edging materials used today:
- Poured concretePoured concrete is used to create a seamless edge, connecting the pool and the deck effortlessly. If you look at the whole area, you will find that the design gives it an undeniable unified appearance that flows. It blends in seamlessly and can even make the pool seem larger than it truly is. However, poured concrete is not the most affordable material of all.There are also issues about cracking in extreme temperatures. Still, it requires little maintenance and caring for it properly will minimise these cracks.
- Precast concreteYou can have a wide variety of patterns and textures with this material. Additionally, it also blends well with other components, including stone and concrete. If you find poured concrete a bit expensive for your budget, you may want to opt for precast concrete instead. However, it does not have the same seamless look as with poured concrete. It may also be susceptible to cracking.
- PaversJust like precast concrete, concrete pavers are available in different colours and textures, giving you many options to choose from. Also, unlike natural stone pavers, concrete pavers are much more affordable. When you use this material on your pool edge, it can last for a very long time, even without much maintenance work.Also, you can replace it individually if you find any damage, including cracking. However, it is not that cheap if you compare it with poured or even precast concrete.
- Natural StoneThis material is perhaps the most stunning of all. It produces something that captures the attention of the onlooker, which is why many homes go for this option. You will like it if you do not mind the high price. It is a natural material with different kinds as well.Travertine is one of the popular ones perhaps because it can stay cool even under the hot Perth sun. Also, it is slip-resistant, making it a great choice for those with kids.Natural stones can be durable and may even withstand the harshness of chlorinated pools. However, you may want to be careful with the material you choose since others can be less durable but still expensive. Also, you may have to exert more effort here when it comes to maintaining the pool edge.
Aside from the materials, you also have coping style choices, including:
- Top-mountThis style is considered the most popular because it is quite common in many residential pools. A top-mount coping style has the top edge of the pool forming a rounded yet gentle protruding edge. It offers usability and convenience as it slopes downwards, moving away from the water. Professionals would often call it a C-channel or even a half-round style because of its shape.
- Flat-mountThis option is similar to top mount style but it has a track that keeps the pool liner in place. It provides an installation platform for surface materials, including stones and pavers.
- Rough-cutFor some people, this option is attractive. It looks like how it sounds where you will see a more natural state of stones. They are installed organically with little to no treatment, giving the pool surround a textured appearance.
- CantileveredThis style uses foam and gives a finished edge for poured concrete. You may know this option as “square edge,” which provides a blended look for the deck surface and the edge of the pool.
- BullnoseThis coping style has different types. The most common is the full bullnose coping, which is also the same as half bullnose. It is called such because of the rounded edge that is noticeable at the lip. When it is “full,” the bullnose style comes with a C-shape, curving at 180 degrees right at the edge of the water. It gives the pool its lip.On the other hand, the half bullnose only rounds at the top edge. Therefore, the bottom edge is even with the walls of the pool.
Seamless pool edging though does not require the bullnose style, which used to be one of the very few designs for homeowners to choose from. Many people now select seamless pool edging because of the finished look that is more modern and flowing.
With seamless pool edging, you get to treat your pool as the main attraction in your yard and rightfully so. Before, many homeowners would simply choose pavers, which they would regret later on. As the demand for a better solution grew, seamless pool edging became the wiser option.
If you are looking forward to a pool edge that does not subside over time and requires little maintenance each year yet does not easily chip, seamless pool edging is for you. Talk to one of our pros here at CoastCrete to learn more about how you can have this installed in your pool area today.
