I realize that the bond grid does not have to be the copper grid anymore. You can use the mesh inside of concrete or the metal attached to the pool if it is connected with stainless steel bolts and nuts. ( No sheet metal screws allowed).
Now the new thing I have been seeing is that people are installing above ground pools two-three feet into the ground. I haven't seen too many of them finished off yet. Don't know if they are using pavers, wood decking or how they are finishing off the area. I guess the area would have to be installed like a in ground pool and follow all of those codes.
