Travertine, natural stone, brick & pavers — free on-site estimate from Mr. Hernandez.
- Pool coping, decks & outdoor living surfaces
- Licensed & insured · North & South Shore local
- New builds or refresh — clear estimate first
From pool decks to backyard patios, JNH Masonry builds outdoor spaces that look great and hold up to LI weather. Serving Long Island’s North & South Shore. Call/text (631) 965-1754 or request a free estimate.
Long Island summers are short, and July and August go fast. Start planning with Mr. Hernandez in the fall (from September), and work can begin in March as weather permits, so your pool and patio can be ready when summer hits.
- Sep–FebPlan & design
- Mar–JunBuild (weather permitting)
- Jul–AugEnjoy
Pool coping & patios, explained
Coping edges, materials, typical thickness, overhang and comfort around the water, and how to keep it all looking good through Long Island winters.
Coping profilesBullnose, half-bullnose, square, rock-face, poured
Bullnose
A fully rounded front edge. Classic, smooth to the touch and comfortable to sit on.
Half-bullnose
Rounded on top, flat underneath. Softer than a square edge with a slimmer look.
Square / eased edge
A crisp, modern edge with the corner lightly eased so it’s not sharp.
Rock-face / chiseled
A split, natural-looking face for a rustic or rugged style.
Drop-face
A thicker-looking front edge made with a mitered or laminated face piece. Common with thin stone and porcelain.
Cantilevered / poured
Concrete cast in place over the pool edge for a smooth, continuous modern look.
Video by Techo-Bloc, shown for general education.
MaterialsTravertine, bluestone, granite, limestone, porcelain, pavers
Travertine
A pool-deck favorite. Light colors stay comparatively cool underfoot and a tumbled or honed finish adds grip. Seal it.
Bluestone
A Northeast classic with natural-cleft grip. Dark colors can get hot in full sun.
Granite
Extremely durable. A flamed or thermal finish gives good traction.
Limestone
A refined, light look that stays cooler in sun. Choose dense exterior grades and seal.
Porcelain pavers
Very low absorption, stain resistant and consistent in color. Set per the maker’s system (mortar bed, gravel or pedestals).
Concrete pavers & brick
Wide color range, with matching coping units available. Paving-rated brick for traditional homes.
Video by Armstone, shown for general education.
Thickness guideTypical coping and paver thicknesses
Natural stone coping
Typically about 1¼–2" thick.
Heavier edge look
Thicker 2"+ pieces, or a drop-face, give a bolder front edge and are often used for bullnose.
Porcelain
Usually about ¾" (2 cm) or 1¼" (3 cm). Coping pieces often use a mitered drop face so the edge looks thicker.
Concrete pavers
Commonly about 2⅜" (60 mm) for patios and pool decks. Thicker units are typically used where cars drive.
Overhang, slip resistance & comfortDetails you feel barefoot
Overhang over water
Coping commonly overhangs the pool wall about 1–2" to shed water and give a finished edge. Coordinate with your pool company on tile line and liner track.
Slip resistance
Pick textured finishes (tumbled, brushed, thermal, flamed or natural cleft) and avoid polished stone near water.
Cool to the touch
Light stones like travertine and limestone generally stay cooler than dark stone or concrete in summer sun.
Drainage
Decks are pitched away from the pool and the house, with an expansion joint between coping and deck.
Video by Armstone, shown for general education.
Sealing & Long Island freeze-thawKeeping stone looking good season after season
Choose dense stone
Low-absorption, exterior-rated stone and pavers handle freeze-thaw cycles best.
Seal porous stone
A penetrating sealer helps resist water, stains and salt. Re-seal as the product recommends.
Salt-water pools
Salt systems can be harder on some natural stone. Sealing and rinsing help.
Winter
Avoid rock salt and harsh de-icers on coping and pavers, and keep joints and expansion joints in good repair.
Video by FoundationArmor, shown for general education.
Popular brands we can work with — ask Mr. Hernandez what’s best for your project.
- Unilock
- Techo-Bloc
- Cambridge
- Nicolock
- Belgard
General guidance only. Typical figures vary by product, soil, and site — final specs follow the manufacturer’s instructions and your town’s code.
Pools & Patios transformations
Before / After photos added as jobs finish.
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Let’s start your project
Free on-site estimates from Mr. Hernandez. Call, text, or send the form — whichever is easiest for you.