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decking and coping for old pool in central NJ

15 years ago

We have a 1968 roman shaped Sylvan gunite pool which has no decking (grass up to the concrete coping). Our house is 80 years old, cottage style but added on, with English gardens. We are thinking of getting Devonstone, which is supposed to look like blue stone but isn't as hot, as I hear that bluestone really retains heat. Has anyone used this product, and how does it hold up?

We are open to suggestions but would like to keep with a more casual look, not the perfectly finished and mortared new style as it would not fit our house and landscaping. Also, we will replace the coping to better fit the new decking but I was told that the tile would have to be replaced as well since it shares the same mortar bed as the coping. Our tile is in good shape as is the surface of the pool, although the pool was repainted recently (old owners painted a few times).

Lastly, if anyone knows a good PB and landscaper in the Princeton NJ area for the job it would be much appreciated.

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Comments (7)

trying2buy
15 years ago
Have heard good things about EP Henry Devonstone and I love the look (we have a different EP Henry pavers but really liked the look of the Devonstone when we saw it). I am in NJ and we just finished a very large paver patio and (new) pool coping project and we were very pleased with the contractor. Well priced, honest and did very nice quality work which we have received many, many compliments on. I am not affiliated with them - just a very pleased (recent) customer. If interested - email me and I can pass along their name and phone number to you ..
robs291
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the response. I am new to this forum and don't know how to email! Can you either send me an email or tell me how to email you and I will do so. Thanks for you help.
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moocat
15 years ago
Hi,

I have a friend that had an older sylvan pool that they re-tiled and re-coped last year. When I had my pool done with a local builder this past year, I tried to work their guy into my quote, but it would void the warranty, so we went with the PB's.

Anyway I had loved the tile and coping that was used. The coping was a natural stone that stayed cool and was smooth to sit on. As for the work, it was done very well and they are very pleased. I was impressed as well. I will leave you the info if you'd like to give them a call.

Fortunato Coping - 732-363-3889 I think they are in Howell.
robs291
Original Author
15 years ago
Moocat

Thanks for the reference. I will give him a call. I am curious if your friends chose to replace the tile, or if they were forced to because it would be damaged when the coping was replaced. We have great old tile in perfect condition that you cannot find any more and want to keep when the coping gets replaced. But I was told by A&S that the tile could not be saved. It kills me but I also don't trust A&S. They also recommended replacing my underground piping since it is 40 years old and will go under the new decking. I will have someone else check it out but that doesn't seem unreasonable.
maried10
15 years ago
My 45 year old wood inground pool is caving in on the deep end because the coping was old and water got underneath the wood. Do you know anyone in Central NJ that might be able to put a metal to hold the wood. I would hate to have to do a complete new pool. Too expensive.
moocat
15 years ago
They changed the tile, but not sure if they had to or if they wanted a new look.. I would definitely get another opinion on that.. I am sure that reference or another coping guy would be able to confirm that...

Good luck !
eyegolf
15 years ago
To trying2buy:
I am looking for the name of the pool contractor you mentioned in your post in July 08. I am not able to send an email as mentioned in your post since I do not know your address.
Thanks so much!
eyegolf@optonline.net

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