Sandstone pool coping and stone pool surrounds

Northern Beaches Stone lays sandstone pool coping, pool paving and split-face sandstone feature walls for new pools and renovations. We also work in travertine and bluestone, and we will tell you plainly which stone suits your pool, your sun and your maintenance habits.

We work alongside your pool builder, landscaper and fencing contractor so the coping, paving and walls fit the pool shell, the drainage and the safety barrier. Dense limestone is another pale option for coping, sealed for the pool.

What we build

• Bullnose coping

  Sawn sandstone coping with a rounded edge, comfortable to sit on and kind on wet feet and hands.

• Drop-face coping

  Coping with a thicker front face that gives a crisp, modern edge to the waterline.

• Pool paving

  Sawn sandstone, travertine or bluestone paving around the pool, laid with falls that carry water away from the shell.

• Split-face pool feature walls

  Raised walls clad in split-face sandstone along one side of the pool, finished with sawn coping.

• Steps and ledges

  Coping cut around pool steps, ledges and corners, with mitred or rounded joins.

Sandstone coping on saltwater pools

Sandstone is porous. Salt water soaks into the stone, and as it dries the salt crystallises in the pores, which can lead to flaking and surface loss over time. That is why some suppliers say never to use sandstone near a salt pool. Our view is that it can work well, but only if the stone and the care are right. Read the full answer on sandstone around saltwater pools.

We select a dense, good-grade sandstone for coping, seal it with a breathable penetrating sealer suited to pools, and ask you to rinse splash zones with fresh water regularly. A sealer reduces water and salt uptake but does not make stone salt-proof, so it needs re-applying as the manufacturer recommends. If you would rather have less maintenance, travertine or bluestone may suit your pool better, and we are happy to lay those instead.

• Choose a dense, low-porosity grade of stone for coping
• Seal with a breathable, penetrating pool-grade sealer
• Rinse coping and paving with fresh water, especially after heavy use
• Keep the pool chemistry balanced
• Consider travertine or bluestone for lower maintenance

Heat underfoot and grip

Stone colour matters in a Sydney summer. Light sandstone and light travertine stay noticeably cooler underfoot than dark stone, while dark bluestone can get hot in full sun. If the pool is in full sun all afternoon, we will usually steer you toward a lighter stone.

Wet stone also needs grip. Sawn sandstone has a naturally textured surface, and we avoid polished finishes on coping and pool paving.