It’s May in Anne Arundel County. The pool is about to open, the patio furniture is back outside, and for the first time in months you’re actually spending time in the backyard — which means you’re also seeing it clearly for the first time in months.
And there’s a good chance you don’t love what you see around the pool area.
Grass creeping into the mulch beds. Mulch washing onto the deck every time it rains. A messy, undefined edge between the deck surface and the landscape. Planting beds that looked intentional when they were installed but now just look overgrown and shapeless.
This is the moment — right now, in May — when Anne Arundel County homeowners are making decisions about their pool areas. And one upgrade is showing up in more Annapolis-area backyards than ever before: decorative concrete curbing installed around the pool deck and surrounding landscape beds. Here’s why it works, what it looks like, and why if you want it done before Fourth of July, the time to call is now.
Why the Pool Area Is the Hardest Part of Any Yard to Keep Looking Sharp
Your pool area takes more abuse than almost any other part of your property. Constant foot traffic. Chlorinated water splashing onto surrounding surfaces. Kids running from the pool through the grass and tracking debris back in. Rain carrying mulch off the beds and across the deck. Grass rhizomes aggressively creeping toward and under the deck edge.
The result, for most homeowners, is a pool area that looks great in the spring when it’s freshly cleaned up, and progressively messier from June through August — precisely during the months when you’re using it most and have guests seeing it most.
The core problem is almost always the same: there’s no permanent, defined boundary between the hardscape and the landscape. Without that boundary, everything migrates. Mulch moves. Grass encroaches. The beds lose their shape. The deck edge looks ragged.
Concrete or composite edging between the deck and the lawn curbs rhizomes and stops weeds from growing at the source — which is exactly why concrete curbing around pool areas has become one of the most requested upgrades we install in the Annapolis area heading into summer. Aiper Official Blog
What Concrete Curbing Does Specifically Around a Pool Deck
Around a pool area, concrete curbing serves several distinct functions that standard edging materials simply can’t match:
It creates a permanent, clean line between deck and landscape. A continuous poured concrete curb defines exactly where your hardscape ends and your planted beds begin — and holds that line year after year without resetting, shifting, or replacing. The beds stay shaped. The deck edge stays clean.
It stops grass from creeping under and around the deck. Grass rhizomes travel underground and emerge on the other side of plastic or metal edging constantly. A properly installed concrete curb, set at adequate depth, creates a physical barrier that grass cannot cross. No more weekly trimming along the deck edge.
It contains mulch and gravel in the beds. Gravel is important for drainage near the pool edge and should slope away from the pool. Whether you’re using mulch, decorative stone, or gravel in your pool-area beds, concrete curbing keeps it there — not washing across the deck after every summer storm, not scattering across the lawn when someone runs through the beds. In the Swim
It improves drainage around the pool. A well-designed curb line helps direct water flow away from the pool rather than allowing it to pool in low spots along the deck edge. This is particularly relevant in Anne Arundel County’s clay soils, which don’t drain as freely as sandy soils and can create standing water problems around pool perimeters after heavy rain.
It gives the entire space a finished, resort-like appearance. Pool decks now get as much attention as the exterior design of your home, and decorative curbing can improve the entire look of your pool deck. The visual difference between a pool area with defined, decorative concrete borders and one without is significant — it’s the difference between a backyard that looks like it was professionally designed and one that looks like it grew organically without a plan. Davis Concrete
What Maryland Homeowners Are Installing in 2026
The pool-area curbing requests we’re seeing most in Anne Arundel County this spring fall into a few consistent patterns:
Deck perimeter curbing. A continuous decorative concrete border running along the outer edge of the pool deck, separating it from surrounding lawn or landscape beds. This is the most common application — it cleans up the deck edge, stops grass encroachment, and gives the entire pool area a polished frame.
Planting bed definition around the pool. Beds around the pool area that contain shrubs, ornamental grasses, or perennials look dramatically sharper with a concrete curb defining their outer edge. Stamped concrete with decorative finishes is a cost-effective option that mimics natural materials while offering slip-resistant textures — and the same principle applies to curbing: a stamped concrete border that complements your deck surface ties the whole space together visually. Gibraltar Masonry
Tree ring curbing around poolside trees. Shade trees near pool areas are valuable — they provide relief from the sun and privacy — but the mulch rings around their bases are perpetually messy and frequently invaded by grass. A concrete tree ring curb solves both problems permanently.
Transition curbing between pool deck and lawn. Many Annapolis-area pool areas have a grass lawn that runs up to or around the deck. Without a defined edge, that transition is a constant maintenance problem. A concrete curb at the deck-lawn boundary creates a clean, permanent edge that requires no weekly trimming.
Color and Style Options for Pool Areas
The design flexibility of poured concrete curbing is particularly valuable in pool settings, where the goal is usually to complement an existing deck surface rather than introduce something that competes with it.
Colors that work well in pool areas: Charcoal gray and slate tones complement most concrete and paver deck surfaces. Sandstone and tan work beautifully against travertine or light-colored patio surfaces. For homes with brick or traditional architectural details, a terracotta or warm buff tone in the curbing ties the pool area back to the home’s exterior.
Stamp patterns for pool settings: Natural stone patterns — ashlar slate, flagstone, cobblestone — are the most popular for pool areas because they complement rather than compete with the surrounding hardscape. A border that reads as natural stone creates a high-end look without the cost of actual stone installation.
Profile selection: Around pools, a slightly raised decorative profile often works better than a low mower-edge style, because it provides a more visible definition between deck and landscape. The raised edge also does a better job of containing mulch and gravel in the beds.
Integral color vs. surface treatment: Integral color — mixed into the concrete before it’s poured — is strongly recommended for pool settings because it can’t be washed, faded, or worn off by chlorinated splash water or pressure washing. The color is permanent and consistent through the full depth of the curb.
The Timing Reality: Why May Is the Right Month to Call
Here’s the honest scheduling picture for summer 2026 in Anne Arundel County.
Concrete curbing around a pool area is a one-day installation. The concrete is poured, shaped, and stamped in a single visit. It needs 24 to 48 hours before foot traffic and light use. By the end of that week, your pool area looks completely different.
But getting that one day scheduled in June or July? That’s the problem. The best time to install poured concrete curbing is during dry, warm seasons when inclement weather is unlikely — which is exactly when every other homeowner in Anne Arundel County is also trying to schedule outdoor projects. Summer books up fast, and it books up from the front. HomeGuide
Homeowners who call in May get June installation dates. Homeowners who call in June are looking at July. Homeowners who call in July are often looking at August — which means their pool area looks the way it looks for the entirety of their summer.
If you want this done before your first big pool weekend, the time to get on the schedule is right now.
What a Pool-Area Curbing Project Costs in the Annapolis Area
Cost depends primarily on the total linear footage of curbing — how much of the pool perimeter and surrounding beds you want to define. In 2026, professional concrete curbing runs $12 to $20 per linear foot for typical residential work, including labor, materials, and a standard sealer. Decorative and stamped profiles sit toward the higher end of that range. Curb Depot
A typical pool-area project in the Annapolis area — deck perimeter edging plus definition around two or three surrounding planting beds — usually involves 100 to 200 linear feet of curbing. That puts most projects in the $1,500 to $4,000 range depending on design complexity and linear footage.
For context: that’s less than one summer’s worth of landscaping maintenance visits for most properties, and it’s a one-time cost for something that lasts 10 to 30 years with proper care. HomeGuide
The best way to get an accurate number is a free on-site estimate — we walk the pool area with you, measure the footage, discuss color and profile options, and give you a clear quote with no surprises.
Before and After: What the Difference Actually Looks Like
The transformation a concrete curb makes around a pool area is one of those things that’s easier to see than describe. Before: a soft, undefined edge between deck and lawn that requires constant trimming and maintenance. Beds that lose their shape by midsummer. Mulch that migrates across the deck after every rain.
After: a clean, permanent line that holds its shape all season. Beds that stay defined from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A pool area that looks like it was professionally designed rather than assembled piece by piece over the years.
We’ve done dozens of pool-area curbing installations across Cape St. Claire, Severna Park, Arnold, and Annapolis proper. The reaction from homeowners is almost always the same when they see the finished result: they wish they had done it years earlier.
Ready to Have It Done Before Summer?
If you have a pool in Anne Arundel County and you’re stepping outside right now thinking about what the area around it needs, concrete curbing is worth a conversation. It’s a one-day project, a one-time cost, and a permanent upgrade to one of the most-used spaces on your property.
We’re scheduling summer installations now. Dates are filling from the front.
📞 Call us: 443-623-2068
🌐 Request a free estimate: marylandcurbscape.com/contact
Maryland Curbscape serves Annapolis, Cape St. Claire, Severna Park, Arnold, and surrounding Anne Arundel County communities. Free on-site estimates, no obligation.
Sources: Brickform, Gibraltar Masonry, HomeGuide, Angi, Curb Depot, Davis Concrete, Aiper Pool Landscaping Guide, In The Swim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will concrete curbing hold up around a pool where there’s constant water and chlorine splash?
Yes — and it’s one of the reasons poured concrete with integral color is specifically recommended for pool settings. Integral color is mixed into the concrete before it’s poured, so it can’t be washed out, faded, or stripped by chlorinated splash water or pressure washing. The color runs through the full depth of the curb. A quality penetrating sealer applied at installation provides additional protection against moisture and chemical exposure. As long as the curbing is professionally installed with a proper mix and sealed correctly, the pool environment poses no threat to its longevity or appearance.
My pool deck is already installed. Can curbing be added around an existing deck, or does it only work with new construction?
It works just as well — often better — around existing decks. Most of the pool-area curbing we install in Anne Arundel County is added to properties that already have an established deck. The curb is installed along the outer edge of the existing deck surface or around surrounding landscape beds, not underneath or attached to the deck itself. As long as there’s a defined area to work with, existing pool decks are ideal candidates. We walk the space, measure the layout, and design the curb line to complement what’s already there.
How close to the pool water’s edge can curbing be installed?
Curbing is typically installed around the outer perimeter of the deck or along the edges of landscape beds, not along the pool coping itself — that’s a separate and different product. The curb defines the boundary between hardscape and landscape, which is usually set back from the water’s edge by the width of the deck surface. For most residential pools, this means the curbing runs along the outer edge of the concrete or paver deck, separating it from surrounding lawn or planting beds. Your contractor will assess the layout during the on-site estimate and recommend the placement that makes the most functional and visual sense for your specific pool configuration.
Will the curbing stop grass from creeping under the deck edge?
This is one of the primary reasons homeowners install curbing around pool decks. Concrete edging between the deck and the lawn curbs rhizomes and stops weeds from growing at the source. Grass spreads underground through rhizomes — horizontal stems that travel beneath the surface and emerge on the other side of thin plastic or metal edging constantly. A properly installed concrete curb, set at adequate depth into the ground, creates a physical barrier that rhizomes cannot easily cross. It won’t eliminate every stray blade of grass, but it dramatically reduces the constant trimming and re-edging that most pool-area homeowners deal with throughout the season. Aiper Official Blog
What happens to mulch and gravel in the beds around the pool — does curbing actually keep it contained?
Yes, and this is one of the most immediately noticeable improvements after installation. Without a solid border, mulch migrates across the deck surface after every rain, stone scatters when people walk through the beds, and the beds gradually lose their shape and volume. A continuous poured concrete curb creates a solid physical barrier that keeps bed material where it’s placed. Gravel is important for drainage near the pool edge and should slope away from the pool — and concrete curbing supports that drainage function by maintaining a defined, consistent edge that helps direct water flow rather than allowing it to carry bed material across the deck. In the Swim
How long does the installation take, and when can we use the pool area again?
A typical pool-area curbing installation is completed in a single day. The crew arrives, prepares the edge, pours and shapes the continuous concrete curb, applies the stamp pattern if selected, and finishes with a sealer — all in one visit. Concrete edging takes less than an hour to pour, 1 to 2 days to dry, and approximately 4 weeks to fully cure. Avoid contact during the first 48 hours to prevent marks or flaws in the concrete. In practical terms, you’re keeping foot traffic and pool equipment off the freshly poured curb for 48 hours, then the area is fully usable. Most families are back to normal pool use well within the same week. HomeGuide
What colors and stamp patterns work best around a pool deck?
The goal in a pool setting is almost always to complement the existing deck surface rather than contrast with it sharply. Charcoal gray and slate tones work with most concrete and paver decks. Sandstone, buff, and warm tan complement travertine or light-colored surfaces. For traditional Maryland homes with brick exteriors, terracotta or warm earth tones tie the pool area back to the home’s architecture. For stamp patterns, natural stone looks — ashlar slate, flagstone, cobblestone — are the most popular in pool settings because they read as intentional and elevated without competing with the deck surface. We’ll walk you through the options that work best for your specific pool and home during the estimate visit.
Is there a minimum amount of curbing needed for a pool-area project, or can I just do one section?
There’s no strict minimum, but there’s a practical one. Most contractors have a minimum project charge that reflects mobilization costs — bringing equipment, materials, and crew to the site. For very short runs of 20 to 30 linear feet, the per-foot cost ends up higher because that fixed mobilization cost is spread across less footage. The most economical approach is to define the full scope of what you want done — deck perimeter, bed edges, tree rings — and do it in a single visit. Combining work is almost always more cost-effective than scheduling separate smaller projects, and the result is visually more cohesive. A free estimate will give you a clear picture of what makes sense for your layout and budget.
Will the curbing affect drainage around the pool deck?
Done correctly, it improves it. A properly designed curb line helps direct water flow away from the pool deck and pool equipment rather than allowing water to pool in low spots along the deck perimeter. This is particularly relevant in Anne Arundel County where clay-heavy soils drain slowly and standing water near pool equipment is a common seasonal complaint. The key is that the curb should be designed with drainage in mind from the start — which means a contractor who walks the property and understands the grade before laying out the curb line, not one who simply follows a request without assessing the water flow.
Can curbing be installed around landscaping beds near the pool, not just the deck edge itself?
Absolutely — and this is one of the most popular applications. Planting beds around the pool area that contain shrubs, ornamental grasses, or perennials look dramatically sharper with a concrete curb defining their edges. Decorative curbing can improve the entire look of your pool deck area. Many pool-area projects combine deck perimeter edging with definition around two or three surrounding planting beds in a single installation visit. Tree rings around poolside shade trees are another common addition. The result is a backyard that looks comprehensively designed rather than assembled piecemeal. Davis Concrete
If I want this done before July 4th, when do I need to call?
Now. May is when summer installation schedules fill from the front in Anne Arundel County. The best time to install poured concrete curbing is during dry, warm seasons when inclement weather is unlikely — which is exactly when every other homeowner in the area is also trying to book outdoor projects. Homeowners who call in May get June installation dates. Homeowners who wait until June are typically looking at July. If your goal is to have the pool area looking sharp before summer is fully underway, the window to lock in a date is right now. HomeGuide
Ready to get on the schedule?
📞 443-623-2068 🌐 marylandcurbscape.com/contact
Maryland Curbscape serves Annapolis, Cape St. Claire, Severna Park, Arnold, and surrounding Anne Arundel County communities. Free on-site estimates, no obligation. Summer dates are filling now.