Product Overview

MSI Mountain Bluestone 12" × 24" × 2" Flamed Sandstone Pool Coping provides a substantial, finished transition between pool interiors and surrounding decks. Its deep charcoal-gray coloration carries subtle blue undertones, creating the architectural appearance associated with traditional bluestone.

A flamed top surface adds tactile texture and a natural low-sheen appearance, while one 24" side features a full bullnose profile with a coordinating flamed finish. This rounded exposed edge creates a comfortable transition at pool waterlines, raised spas, steps, wall caps, fountains, and other hardscape features.

At a full 2" thickness and approximately 53 pounds per piece, Mountain Bluestone coping delivers a solid, substantial presence appropriate for permanent masonry installations. Medium natural variation gives each piece distinct mineral character.

Technical Specifications

MSI confirms Mountain Bluestone as Chinese natural sandstone with medium variation, a flamed surface, 2" thickness, and one 24" full-bullnose edge. Official MSI Mountain Bluestone coping

Understanding the Dual Finish

“Dual finish” does not mean that the coping combines two visibly different surface treatments. MSI lists the product as Flamed, Flamed, indicating that both principal exposed surfaces receive a flamed treatment:

• Horizontal top: Flamed for a textured, low-sheen walking surface.

• Full-bullnose face: Flamed to coordinate with the top while providing a rounded finished edge.

The remaining concealed or abutting sides may retain fabrication marks and are not intended to serve as finished exposed edges.

Recommended Applications

• Swimming-Pool Coping: Creates a rounded transition between the pool interior and surrounding deck.

• Raised Spas: Finishes spa perimeters and overflow edges with substantial natural stone.

• Wall Caps: Suitable for masonry garden walls, seat walls, retaining-wall veneers, and architectural partitions.

• Fountains and Water Features: Provides a finished perimeter around basins, spillways, and decorative water elements.

• Outdoor Steps: May be used as a tread or edge component when the complete stair assembly satisfies structural and dimensional requirements.

• Fireplace Hearths: Appropriate where the complete fireplace assembly complies with required clearances and applicable building codes.

• Planter Caps: Creates a durable finished edge over properly constructed masonry planters.

Installation & Handling Guidelines

⚠️ IMPORTANT: HEAVY NATURAL-STONE COPING

Each piece weighs approximately 53 pounds. Install over a structurally sound concrete or masonry assembly using exterior-rated materials and professional lifting practices.

• Inspect Before Installation: Examine every piece for cracks, chips, dimensional differences, color variation, and edge condition before setting.

• Dry-Lay and Blend: Arrange the entire coping run before installation. Distribute lighter, darker, and more strongly marked pieces throughout the project.

• Bullnose Orientation: Position the full-bullnose 24" edge toward the pool or exposed side of the wall.

• Approved Substrate: Install over a properly cured, structurally sound concrete bond beam, masonry wall, or other engineered coping substrate.

• Mortar Selection: Use a premium polymer-modified Large and Heavy Tile mortar meeting ANSI A118.4 or A118.15 and approved for exterior natural sandstone.

• Mortar Coverage: Apply mortar to the substrate and back-butter each coping piece. Obtain at least 95% coverage with complete support beneath edges and corners.

• Drainage Slope: Establish positive drainage according to the pool design and local requirements. Do not allow water to remain trapped beneath or on top of the coping.

• Joint Width: Natural stone requires joints wide enough to accommodate dimensional variation. Final joint width should be established by the installer after inspecting the material.

• Coping-to-Deck Joint: Provide a flexible movement joint between the coping and adjoining deck. Do not rigidly bridge this transition with mortar or cement grout.

• Movement Accommodation: Include movement and perimeter joints following TCNA EJ171, pool-engineering requirements, and applicable building standards.

• Waterproofing: Properly detail the pool shell, bond beam, waterproofing, and coping transitions to prevent moisture intrusion and freeze-thaw damage.

• Sealing: Apply a breathable penetrating natural-stone sealer approved for sandstone and swimming-pool environments. Test first because enhancing sealers may darken the stone.

• Cutting: Wet-cut with a suitable diamond blade while fully supporting the stone. Do not dry-cut or grind because this produces hazardous crystalline-silica dust.

• Order Allowance: Add approximately 10–15% for cuts, breakage, shade blending, and future repairs. Curved pools and complex layouts may require additional material.

Pool and Freeze-Thaw Considerations

• The flamed texture provides more surface texture than a honed or polished finish, but MSI does not publish a DCOF value for this coping.

• Confirm required wet-slip performance with the pool designer, installer, and local codes.

• Prevent water from collecting beneath the coping because trapped moisture can contribute to cracking, displacement, and freeze-thaw damage.

• Use mortar, grout, waterproofing, sealants, and movement-joint materials rated for exterior pool environments.

• Allow all installation materials to cure fully before filling the pool or exposing the coping to chemical treatment.

• Maintain balanced pool-water chemistry to protect the stone, grout, sealants, and adjoining finishes.

Shade Variation Notice

Mountain Bluestone has medium natural variation. Differences in charcoal intensity, blue undertones, mineral markings, surface texture, and edge character are expected.

Natural sandstone may also display occasional brown, rust, tan, or gray mineral accents. Blend pieces before installation and approve the overall range rather than evaluating one piece in isolation.

Care & Maintenance

• Sweep or rinse the coping regularly to remove dust, soil, leaves, and organic debris.

• Clean with a neutral-pH product approved for natural sandstone.

• Avoid vinegar, acidic cleaners, harsh bleach solutions, and abrasive chemicals.

• Do not use metal brushes or aggressive grinding tools on the flamed surface.

• Remove oils, sunscreen, beverages, and organic stains promptly.

• Periodically inspect the flexible deck joint, grout joints, sealant, and bond-beam transitions.

• Reapply a penetrating sealer when water no longer beads on the surface or according to the sealer manufacturer’s schedule.

• Use caution with pressure washing. Excessive pressure can erode joints, damage sealant, and dislodge weak surface particles.

Design Profile

• Aesthetic Inspiration: Traditional bluestone, contemporary hardscape, mountain modern, and refined outdoor living.

• Color Character: Deep charcoal gray with restrained blue and slate undertones.

• Visual Advantage: The thick profile and rounded bullnose edge create a substantial architectural perimeter.

• Complementary Decking: Coordinating Mountain Bluestone pavers, silver travertine, light concrete, cool-gray porcelain, and natural aggregate finishes.

• Complementary Pool Finishes: White, pale blue, deep blue, and medium-gray plaster or aggregate interiors.

• Complementary Materials: Stainless steel, blackened metal, natural wood, stacked stone, and smooth stucco.

• Recommended Sealers: Natural-look penetrating sealer for minimal color change or an enhancing sealer when a darker wet appearance is desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mountain Bluestone genuine Pennsylvania bluestone?

No. MSI identifies it as natural sandstone from China. It is named for its blue-gray bluestone appearance.

What does “dual finish” mean?

Both the horizontal top and the exposed full-bullnose face receive a flamed treatment. MSI lists the dual finish as “Flamed, Flamed.”

Which edge is bullnosed?

One complete 24" side has a full-bullnose profile.

How thick is the coping?

It is a full 2 inches thick.

How much does one piece cover?

One 12" × 24" piece covers approximately 2 square feet of horizontal surface.

How much does one piece weigh?

Approximately 53 pounds.

Can it be used around saltwater pools?

Yes, when the stone, sealer, mortar, grout, waterproofing, and sealants are all approved for saltwater exposure and the water chemistry is properly maintained.

Does Mountain Bluestone require sealing?

Sealing is strongly recommended in pool, exterior, stain-prone, and freeze-thaw environments. Use a breathable penetrating sealer approved for sandstone.

Is the flamed surface slip resistant?

Flaming creates additional texture, but MSI does not publish a DCOF value for this coping. Confirm compliance with project-specific wet-slip requirements.

Can it be installed directly over soil or sand?

No. Pool coping and wall caps require a structurally sound concrete or masonry substrate and an appropriate bonded installation system.