Pool Finishes
Pool Finishes
Are you building a new swimming pool or renovating it? Elevate the look and functionality of your swimming pool by choosing the interior finish to match your lifestyle and personality.
Explore the different pool finishes to find out which one is best for you. Each type comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Carefully assess each one and choose what is the best option for your preference and needs.
Plaster
White plaster is a classic and it remains a popular option in pool finishes even with the other choices that are widely available now. It’s made by mixing white cement, white marble aggregate, and water, which makes it very affordable. This is important if you have a large swimming pool or if you are worried about your budget.
When white plaster is installed properly and maintained, it casts a clear and bright appearance that’s also smooth to the touch.
Fluctuating chemical conditions and improper maintenance are the enemies of plaster. Over time, you will notice a change in the appearance of plaster. Minor changes include discoloration or shading, while major changes can be cracking or staining.
Colored pigments or dye can be added to create colored plaster. Darker colors can add visual depth to the pool, making it look like a lake or a pond. It can also add reflectivity to the water, creating a beautiful mirror-like effect.
It’s natural for colored plaster to accentuate the characteristics of white plaster. Stains, streaks, and unevenness of color are more pronounced in colored plaster. Lightening of the color or even if it fades completely doesn’t mean that the plaster itself is faulty or deficient.
Plaster, white or colored, typically lasts up to 10 years before the surface needs to be replastered.
Pozzolan is an additive that can be added to plaster to make it stronger. It reduces cracking, etching, mottling, and the other weak characteristics of plaster. Its addition also increases the ability of plaster to repel water and the effects of fluctuating water chemistry.
Colored Ceramic Quartz
Aggregates, like colored ceramic quartz, are a new option in interior finishes for your swimming pool. they come from a specialized form of ceramic-coated sand. When mixed with the use of plaster, you can create a stronger and more durable surface compared to standard plaster. The surface becomes harder and more resistant to water and chemical changes.
Aggregate surfaces, the new generation in plaster finishes, tend to be more expensive than plain plaster. On the upside, it is also more resistant to chemicals and stains. Patterns on the quartz may also help disguise visual blemishes that otherwise would be so obvious on plaster.
In terms of durability, you can expect aggregate surfaces to prolong the life of the swimming pool’s surface by 10 to 15 years.
Exposed Aggregates
Over the last decade, another type of finish has become quite popular – exposed aggregates, which usually contain micro glass beads or small river pebbles. The glass beads or pebbles are embedded in concrete and are exposed by power washing the concrete before it dries.
Not only does an exposed aggregate finish make your swimming pool look beautiful, but it’s also the most durable when compared to plaster and quartz.
It’s also probably the most expensive but it can extend the life of your swimming pool by as much as 14 years. What you spend for its installation will more than make up for the cost you will end up saving for its maintenance for the long term.
Whether you are building a new swimming pool or refinishing an old one as part of your renovation project, you can find a pool finish to achieve the look that you want, that fits your budget, and suits your needs.
All types of pool finishes add to the visual appeal and functionality of the swimming pool especially if it’s installed correctly and maintained properly. You don’t need to stick to just one pool finish, you can choose multiple finishes for different areas of the swimming pool to create a multi-dimensional effect that’s very modern and attractive.
Our expert designers and builders can help you choose which pool finish is the best one for you. We can’t stress enough how important it is for the water chemistry to be balanced; it plays a major role in the quality of the surface of your swimming pool. Our team can answer any questions you have about choosing the best finish and maintenance schedule for it.
