I think I know what you are talking about,the coping around the pool, right? I have seen it done that way and I think it just depends on what your preference is...I prefer the look of the more "square" type that kind of butt up together, but its all about what look you are going for

Nobody asked me what look I was "going" for actually. I didn't know there were variations?? Thanks for feedback.

loveallmykids, sounds like mine. Not what I expected (or asked for either). Nobody asked. PB explained to me after the fact that the like size even square-ish pieces are an upgrade. Now that the deck is poured I'm not so freaked out, but I felt the same way you do. My flagstone is a very colorful mix of Oklahome flagstone so I guess the piecing method that you described kind of works. But I keep looking at the pools with the more consistant solid square-ish pieces and realize they are what I expected. I don't understand how one is harder than the other to do---thus the "upgrade" explaination I got. Oh well. Both are beautiful, I'd love to see pics of yours. I upload my pics to photobucket, then copy/paste the HTML from there to my posts here to link the pics.

It does seem like there is a lot of things that you have to find out for yourself. I just make sure that I am there whenever they are doing anything important. I have made several changes on the fly with the subs. I will tell them what to change, call my PB, he calls the boss of the subs and it gets worked out. Most of it seems to get done for free.

By the way, the look turned out great with Jenno's pool.

Flagstone can be installed in a number of many ways - But, you should really ask to see an edge detail before it's installed. Most pool designers and salesguys just ASSUME that you know. A good swimming pool company will make you happy. Flagstone edges can be chiseled, polished, cut square, bullnosed, really whatever.... It's a natural stone and can be finished as you like - but... you mentioned "upgrade" and you are correct. My Arizona Swimming pool company in Phoenix specializes in flagstone work & flagstone coping. Our STANDARD edge is a chiseled edge - as you may see from many of our photos. We have had clients that don't like this, and if the sales guy has not set expectations, we can POLISH the edge. This is a relatively simple fix for Arizona sandstone, but more difficult for the upgrade flagstone (which is much harder & more difficult to work with!).

The "piecing" together effect is common for the HARD flagstone products, since they are difficult to cut, but smaller, cheaper companies also use this as a TIME-SAVING technique to cut costs (and ultimately the finished look) It's much better to diamond cut the stone, and piece it together better.

Here is a link that might be useful: Landscape & Pool Company

Yeah, the EDGE got me much more than the piecing........I got chiseled and am NOT personally a fan. It's hard not to really beat myself up and feel disappointed by the multitude of things on my pool that didn't come how how I invisioned. I like my PB, just think they tend to assume everyone either knows how they do things and likes they way they do things. I honestly think that many people would NEVER give a thought to the edge or layout of flagstone for example. I just don't happen to be one of them. If I had it to do over........ahhhhhh, I can't go there. :) :) phoenixlandscaper, any way I could have my edges polished some day or no way now? Just curious.

Phoenixlanscaper, please keep the self promoting private and off the forum. Your contributions are welcome. You can put your email address in your profile.

Scott

quote" You can put your email address in your profile. "quote

Chris,

Whatever you do, don't place your e-mail to be visible.
The mod's of this forum kicked me off the board for having mine there. They called it spamming. I had to change from my old name "huskyrider" to my new name.

Welcome to the forum, your work looks great.

Scott is correct, they draw a very fine line on what's considered spamming. I'm certain that referring to the link as "my business website" will, without a doubt, be considered as spam.

Jenno,
Chances are that you'd have to replace your coping. When I use a bullnose router on my flagstone I'll always hang a little more rock over the edge to allow me to router back to the intended overhang, when we chip the edge we don't.
I'm sorry you don't like the look, I love that look because it looks like natural rock edging.

See ya,
Kelly

Thanks, Kelly. I was just curious 'cause I'm still not sure how this chiseled edge is going to feel when using the pool. Oh well! Good to know that it really IS what it is. :) My build is certainly turning out rustic and natural. Now if only I had something besides dirt concrete and fence in my back yard to go along with it..... :) Maybe the landscaping will be finished before the kids are grown.......It really helps when I hear positive feedback on my build from such a respectable member of this fourm---THANK YOU!!!!!

i've got "chipped edge" flagstone and like it fine. When done well there aren't sharp edges, it has a very even edge between pieces, and for the look we were going for it was just right.

as for the original topic, I was pleasantly surprised when they did my coping and used only large squared off pieces of flagstone. Several of them on the back edge of the pool were so big they had 2 guys lifting them in place. I'm sure it cost more and took longer (the masons were at my house for 5 days) but personally I like the look and am glad my PB does it that way. Like you, I would have never thought to confirm ahead of time "are you using big square pieces or little pieces or?" You just kinda have a vision of what you think it will be.

all that said: once the water is in and you are swimming you'll never notice though. The few small things that did bother me before the pool was finished, I don't even notice anymore as the kids are splashing and laughing and I'm drinking a cold one.

I had my own flagstone coping freakout - they flush mounted it, which was an error and as soon as PB showed up they pulled it -- they are going to "flame treat" the inside coping edge of the stone to make it smoother, not sure how this will look but our faithful board contributors said it was a good move...