Pool Remodel Materials Guide: Decking, Coping, and Resurfacing

A pool remodel typically involves three distinct decisions, and it helps to evaluate them separately: the deck surface, the coping around the pool's edge, and the interior surface finish of the pool shell itself.

Deck materials: Travertine is a top choice for pool decks because it stays cool underfoint in direct sun and has a naturally slip-resistant texture when honed — both important safety factors around water. Stamped concrete and pavers are lower-cost alternatives with their own maintenance tradeoffs.

Coping: The coping is the cap that finishes the pool's edge and protects the shell from water intrusion behind it. Matching coping material to the deck (travertine coping with a travertine deck, for example) creates a seamless, higher-end look, though contrasting coping is also common for a defined edge.

Interior resurfacing: Traditional pebble or plaster finishes require curing time and periodic reapplication as they wear. A fiberglass overlay is a modern alternative that bonds directly over an existing shell with no cure time, offering a fast turnaround and long-term durability without draining the pool for weeks.

For residential remodels where the existing shell and plumbing are sound, resurfacing the interior and rebuilding the deck/coping around it is almost always more cost-effective than a full pool rebuild — and can transform the look of an outdated pool in days, not months.